_{By: Amanda Guarragi}

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has been in the field for decades, and with technology advancing right in front of his eyes, it came time for a film involving AI that could potentially hurt the people he loves. Technology can be beneficial if you’re on the right side of it to help people for the greater good. However, the AI being used in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One could destroy mainframes within seconds and alter the very fabric of reality they’re living in. People can disappear or remain a ghost while manipulating others to do the dirty work for them. The story has relevance in how tech is being abused today. And it makes sense for an agent who has been ahead of the curve for years to be the one to tackle something much bigger than him. The threat of AI is felt from the beginning of this film and doesn’t let up. 

The Mission: Impossible franchise has maintained consistency with its storytelling and action set pieces. Director Christopher McQuarrie and Cruise have created a perfect marriage to balance the two. For some reason, this one felt more personal and emotional, and the weight of the world was felt more so than the other instalments. The threat being automated and everywhere around them can be difficult to pull off, but they managed to put a face to the AI through an old friend of Hunt’s, Gabriel (Elias Morales). Much like Solomon Lane in Rogue Nation and Fallout, a personal tie affects Hunt emotionally. This film takes Ethan back to his past before joining IMF, and it’s a good angle to take in a two-parter. We don’t know much about Hunt except for the bonds that he has made with Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson). And those have become a lifeline for him to keep going. 

Once the movie begins, you are strapped in with these characters, and it’s impossible not to be invested in the mission. The action set pieces swiftly move from one to the other, and it is non-stop action. Rather than explaining a lot of what’s happening with the AI, it’s clever and subtle in its execution so the audience can form the story. The beauty of this franchise is that the audience is always in with Hunt and his team, and there is no way of being confused with the mission. Visual storytelling is the driving force here because AI challenges each character. The computer becomes the enemy, which affects the communication between Benji, Luther, and Ethan. It’s heartbreaking to see moments of helplessness between them because it is a much darker storyline than others. You feel the love and respect they have for each other in this film which grounds the madness of the AI. 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One introduces new characters that help show a different side of Hunt while crafting an overarching story leading into Part Two. The addition of Grace (Hayley Atwell) parallels the life of a pre-IMF agent, which is why Hunt is so inclined to stick with her. The M:I franchise works so well because it feeds on the simplicity of executing a plan. Part One is about finding a key; Part Two will be about finding the location of what the key unlocks. The stunts performed in this film elevate it above other franchises because Cruise is doing everything. From back-to-back car chases to jumping off a cliff with a motorcycle to climbing up a falling train, everything looks realistic and gives the viewer the adrenaline kick with Hunt. This is one of the best action films of the year. And is truly a cinematic experience that needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible.