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SALT LAKE CITY — There are some movie fans out there who have decided they are done with going to the theater. In fact, every time I write a review, there is always a comment or two about how much someone dislikes going to the theater. Some of us, however, still love the cinematic experience. If you fall into that latter group with me, you owe a big "thank you" to the world's biggest movie star, Tom Cruise.
The man's movies are made to be enjoyed on the big screen, and he keeps delivering crowd-pleasing flick after crowd-pleasing flick.
"Top Gun: Maverick" is close to a perfect movie, and I am happy that Cruise and the rest of the team decided to hold onto it until we could enjoy it in the theater. A year later, we get the seventh installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, "Dead Reckoning Part One."
I should preface this review because the "M:I" franchise is one of my favorites. The first film was good but not great, and then I wrote it off after "M:I 2." But then they revived the series with "Mission: Impossible 3." The movie isn't perfect, but it's a lot of fun and sets the tone for the rest of the series. After that, we got "Ghost Protocol," my favorite Mission. That was until "Rogue Nation" came out, and I realized how good an action movie could be. Then when "Fallout" hit theaters, I threw everything I knew about favorites in this franchise out the window.
Now, we finally get "Dead Reckoning Part One," and I have to say, fans will not be disappointed.
Here are a few reasons "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" is the perfect summer movie for 2023.
It's wildly entertaining
When I was a kid, I could not wait for summer. Sure, I was excited about running through sprinklers, constantly losing track of time with my friends, and sleeping out on the trampoline. But one of the main reasons I loved summer was because of the big movies that were coming out. I'll never forget how excited I was to see "Independence Day," "Jurassic Park," or "The Fugitive." I was excited about that movie because they looked fun, and I loved them because they were.
I bring this up because "Dead Reckoning Part One" is a reason to get excited about summer movies again. This movie was made for the audience. From the word "go," we are on a runaway train of action and surprises, circumnavigating the globe with some old friends. Ethan and his team from the IMF are again in familiar territory, but that's what makes it so fun. The action set pieces, the fight scenes and the constant peril are an anxiety-inducing thrill ride of the best kind.
Many of you have likely seen the marketing for the film involving a motorcycle and Cruise. I won't say more, in case you have not seen it, but even knowing that stunt is in the film does not detract from how impressive that stunt and others are. There are plenty of death-defying stunts, which Cruise always does himself, to make your knuckles white and your face smile. Movies are meant to entertain, and "Dead Reckoning Part One" accomplishes that goal.
It's smart
I mentioned that "Dead Reckoning Part One" was made for the audience. That can be tricky because some movies made for the audience may be fun but mindless. The "Fast and Furious" franchise isn't known for its brains, but it does deliver thrills to its intended audience. "M:I," however, has decided that audiences are smart and want a strong story just as much as a breathtaking stunt.
The movie has deep character development and keeps us guessing where to go next. The filmmakers clearly don't see moviegoers as mindless zombies aching for explosions and mayhem but rather as savvy consumers looking to be simultaneously entertained and engaged in the story. The story isn't a serious drama like "The King's Speech" or a mind-bending head-scratcher like "Tenet," but it is well-thought-out and keeps us on our toes. Unlike many big-budget action franchises, this movie's characters have consequences for their decisions, and it helps us relate to these characters who may not be so different from ourselves.
It's not perfect
I am gushing a little over this movie, but it has a few faults. One of the villains sometimes feels over-the-top and is the one spot where we don't care much. That character changes slightly as we race toward the movie's end. Still, for much of the run time, this character feels surprisingly superficial on the arc as opposed to the others.
The run time is also two hours and 45 minutes. I never felt like the film was dragging, and I didn't mind the run time, but I know some struggle with long movies. For my money, however, the movie is how long it needed to tell the story correctly.
What parents should know
"Dead Reckoning Part One" is very much in line with the last few "M:I" movies. There is a lot of shooting, fighting and explosions. There is also a scene at a party where people in the background are dancing and appear nude. You can't make anything out as the images are quick, distorted and dark, but it may be something you, as a parent or filmgoer, want to be aware of.
Conclusion
Christopher McQuarrie, the writer and director of "Dead Reckoning Part One," and his regular collaborator, Tom Cruise, may have more respect for audiences than any other filmmaking duo ever, and it shows in "Dead Reckoning Part One." Despite a misstep or two, the movie is a cinematic experience, and I know some of you don't like the theater, but this is a reason to come back.
My tickets are already purchased for round two, and I can't say a round three with friends who have yet to see it is out of the question.
"Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" is officially rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some language and suggestive material.
