It’s been nearly 30 years since Brian De Palma’s first “Mission: Impossible” hit theaters. Now, seven films and countless death-defying stunts later, Tom Cruise is embarking on what might be his most daring mission yet: bidding farewell to Agent Ethan Hunt, the entire IMF division, and the adrenaline-pumping shoots that have thrilled both him and audiences. Yet, doubts linger, leaving the impression that Cruise might not be ready to say goodbye.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
“Dead Reckoning Part One” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) a few months after the Innsbruck train brawl. The AI entity known as “The Entity” has grown in power, seizing control of global nuclear arsenals and manipulating news, flooding media with fake news. Gabriel (Esai Morales) supports the AI’s imperial ambitions, devoutly believing in his virtual companion’s prophetic abilities. The U.S. government, led by Madam President (Angela Bassett), assesses the risks but ultimately entrusts the world’s fate to Ethan Hunt. The IMF has 72 hours to find the source code device on the Sevastopol submarine (the same key from the previous installment unlocks the “casket”!) and neutralize the rogue AI, preventing a global nuclear winter.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
From its opening scenes, “Dead Reckoning Part One” embraces franchise fans with a nostalgic montage and seems to acknowledge, without pretense, that it’s time to say goodbye. While there hasn’t been an official announcement that the eighth “Mission” will be the last, the final decision will likely depend on box office numbers. Nevertheless, this installment feels like a farewell party for loyal fans. While “Ghost Protocol” or “Fallout” welcomed casual viewers seeking high-octane action, “Dead Reckoning” is tailored for those in a long-term relationship with the franchise. The fan service is confident, delivering cameos from previous characters (some unexpected!), revisiting key moments, unmasking familiar faces, and indulging in sentimental monologues about past choices.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
High Stakes and Familiar Faces
Ethan’s past exploits culminate in the present, where he bears responsibility for the national security crisis. However, the terrifying world of “alternative facts” and machine-calculated destiny remain a backdrop for the stunts. Ethan Hunt raises the banner of the last hero, much like Tom Cruise, who has cemented his status as the last Hollywood movie star. Behind-the-scenes footage has already teased the insane stunts of the eighth chapter: Cruise flying a biplane and diving into a sunken submarine in the Bering Sea. The siege of a small plane and the acrobatic feats in the air are breathtaking. Beyond any dramatic structures, it’s hard not to marvel at the inventive staging. The submarine infiltration segment is charged with cinematic energy and the chilling allure of the deep. Perhaps the Sevastopol’s decaying interior is the most terrifying sequence in the entire franchise.
A Fond Farewell?
Despite the dramatic tension and the high stakes, there’s little doubt that this mission is possible, even with the script’s implied risks to Ethan Hunt’s life (no spoilers!). The plot follows a familiar MacGuffin-chase template, refined in previous installments, and the chosen-one trope has lost its irony (present in “Rogue Nation” or “Ghost Protocol”). This selflessness feels old-fashioned, even somber. The focus is on bidding farewell not just to Hunt, but to the entire IMF division – a touching tribute to those who see their colleagues more than their families. However, the replacement of Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) with Grace (Hayley Atwell) feels seamless, with Ilsa’s death mourned only briefly (perhaps the audience mourns longer). This, and the potential for a reunion, leaves the impression of a mock farewell, a prolonged vacation where Ethan finally leaves his phone behind.