Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Primary genre: Spy

Secondary genre: Action

The collaboration between Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise has so far generated three great action films, each one subsequently an improvement in some form over its predecessor. While this franchise begun by having directors for hire, it has since 2015 found its own unique voice courtesy of McQuarrie’s input.

After the creative peak of 2018’s “Fallout”, “Dead Reckoning Part One” might lack its predecessor’s freshness but nonetheless boasts expansive and competently shot set pieces that work exceptionally well within their running time. Made by people who love films (and their fans), here we do not have a glorified use of obvious green screens; instead we witness Cruise giving it all in fights, car chases, running competitions and stunts reminding the reasons we go to the movies.

Offering plenty of CGI free entertainment and bombastic sequences under the complementary grandiose and pulse pounding soundtrack of Lorne Balfe, this sequel places its bets strictly in the adrenaline department making the most of gorgeous physical locations (e.g., Rome, Venice) unlike what “Fast X” (2023) did. A two-on-one fight in the narrow streets of Venice and a climatic finale involving a luxury train are among the most satisfying action scenes you will see this year echoing the good old days of capturing as many practical things you can in film and not in a lazy post-production process.

Cruise clearly satisfied with McQuarrie’s direction, he allows him to tell more engaging storylines for the IMF and his likeable but always overwhelmed Ethan Hunt. Despite a feeling of been-there-done-that, McQuarrie and co-screenwriter Erik Jendresen make up for it by introducing this time serious dramatic stakes, raising questions about the malignant use of artificial intelligence in a way that academic institutions and government departments should have done. Hunt’s opponent is not an arms dealer or an agent gone rogue but a faceless antagonist who can do anything at any time highlighting the degree of dependence that the developed world places on algorithms, data and digital technology.

Like any of the previous missions, should you choose to accept it, expect a hefty amount of ongoing exposition which in a two and half hour flick can become quickly tiresome. With the cast discussing and revealing things which the audience already knows and thus taking a significant chunk of the running time, some much needed character development is sacrificed (especially for the antagonists) but perhaps the inevitable part two might provide some resolution on this issue.

Besides the intriguing premise, you can’t help but feel that “Dead Reckoning Part One” is a greatest hits compilation with a different paint job. Repeating key moments from the previous installments by putting Hunt in situations we have seen him facing before, we are left to wonder where you could possible take this hero after 27 years of cinematic history? Even the newly introduced characters feel like the old ones; Hayley Atwell is a more resourceful (and fiercer) version of Thandie Newton’s thief in “Mission Impossible 2” (2000) and Esai Morales plays a proper bastard like Solomon Lane from “Rogue Nation” (2015). Pom Klementieff channels her Robert Patrick’s T-1000 but she has nothing to work with besides being menacing and kicking ass (which is still cool).

At the end of the day although these might be legitimate criticisms, they do not diminish the motion picture’s entertaining value. In a sea of mediocrities and uninspired blockbusters filled with digi doubles and sky beams, “Dead Reckoning Part One” wholeheartedly displays its budget at every frame, is gorgeous to look at (especially the night segment in Venice lit under a John Wickesque cinematography) and Cruise carries his charismatic star power throughout a long running time with precision. After six films, of course the formula will not drastically change or surprise for that matter. And if you think about it, there is no reason to do so. You are here to watch Cruise delivering A+ blockbuster value and this is exactly what you get.

+Cruise’s charisma is captivating

+Practical and breathtaking action

+Expansive

+The gang is all here

+Bastard of a villain

+Interesting thematically

-Too long

-Too much exposition

-Familiar emotional beats