HCA Gradebook: “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One”

Plot: In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt, Cary Elwes, Mark Gatiss, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney

MEMBER REVIEWS

Aaron Neuwirth
Even with whatever issues I may have, Cruise, director/co-writer Christopher McQuarrie, and his crew have plenty of control over how to please audiences on the big screen.
Grade: B

Zachary Pope
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning honestly dropped my jaw. McQuarrie infuses Tech Paranoia, Hitchcocking intensity, white knuckle action set pieces that remind you why movies like this MUST Be seen in theaters. Cruise, Atwell, Ferguson are at the top of their game. WOW
Grade: A

Nicholas Spake
Cruise is again the main attraction in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. However, the film is also an ensemble piece with supporting characters we care just as much about. Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson have all been welcome additions to the team, reminding us that Mission: Impossible isn’t a one-man show. Dead Reckoning makes room for another scene-stealer in Hayley Atwell’s Grace, a thief caught in the middle of Ethan’s latest impossible mission. Cruise has said that he’ll play Ethan Hunt until his 80s. That sounds like a bold promise, but considering that Cruise pulled off arguably his riskiest stunt in his late 50s, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Grade: A-

Jonathan Fujii
Tom Cruise continues to rule the summer with another great entry into the franchise. A movie that actually looks expensive with thrilling stunts, a summer blockbuster people have been waiting for.
Grade: B+

Mike Manalo
On the whole, while Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One isn’t the best we’ve seen of the franchise or of Cruise in recent years, it still is one of the most epic thrill rides of 2023. Cruise and team have officially lit the fuse for what’s sure to come in an exceptionally entertaining, explosive finale. And I am on pins and needles to see how it ends, even though, as a whole film, it stands on its own terrifically. And despite its lengthy runtime, the movie zips by super quickly because it’s still quite engaging. And despite some potentially divisive decisions that may or may not sit well with fans, overall, it’s still one hell of a blast!
Grade: B

Maggie Lovitt
Tom Cruise is once again bringing audiences back to theaters, and with Dead Reckoning it’s for one hell of a ride.
Grade: A

Rama Tampubolon
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING is the franchise’s weakest film. An argument can be made MI:2 was the worst one, which is more than fair, so my counterargument would be this latest installment is now competing for that bottom place. The train sequence at the end was terrific, it lived up to the hype. Incredibly pulse-pounding. But the action was sparse, the car chase was lackluster, the fights were poorly staged & the dialogues were mediocre. The A.I. story while relevant, timely and topical, tried way too hard to make itself sound more complicated than it actually was. The characters ended up over-explaining in their long drawn-out deliveries that just bored the hell out of me.
Grade: D-

Jami Philbrick
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an Action-Packed Thrill Ride! Director Christopher Dead Reckoning Part One’ is a thrilling ‘Mission: Impossible’ movie that features some of Tom Cruise’s most death-defying stunts
Grade: A-

Daniel Loria
After nearly 30 years of spectacle, Dead Reckoning Part I is the first entry in the franchise where the entire affair exudes a haggard atmosphere. A series that rose to prominence by standing in stark contrast to the Bond movies delivers a picture that wouldn’t feel completely out of place in 007’s late-Roger-Moore era. Despite its faults, the movie’s third act delivers in a big way—just enough to make you forget all the weak moments that preceded it in the build-up.
Grade: B

Matt Neglia
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE may not be the finest MI film but Tom Cruise continues to stun with his awe-inspiring madman commitment to the big screen experience. The focus on A.I. adds a fresh element of intrigue and suspense to the story. Overall, it’s a thrilling & fun first half that’s self-aware of the films that came before it and leaves room for improvement with the upcoming Part Two. Hayley Atwell & Pom Klementieff are two fantastic additions to the franchise.
Grade: B

Caillou Pettis
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a tour de force in action filmmaking. Christopher McQuarrie’s direction, coupled with a stellar cast and crew, delivers a movie that is a feast for the senses.

Grade: A+

Sean Chandler
Tom Cruise is on fire! Once again he delivers a top-tier blockbuster. This entry in the franchise combines the fun of Ghost Protocol with the expansive world of the last two films. While the film is over 2 and a half hours, it flies by. The plot feels relevant and the new characters are top-notch.
Grade: A

Clarence Moye
Nobody does it better than Tom Cruise or the ludicrously consistent Mission: Impossible series. Dead Reckoning features some of the best action set pieces I’ve ever seen, and they leave you in a state of awe. Admittedly, the story is merely a vehicle for the practical stunts and action sequences, but for a summer blockbuster, you’ll not find a more satisfying full cinematic meal.
Grade: A-

Rick Bentley
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is by far the best action movie of the year. You may need to see a chiropractor after seeing the film because of sitting on the edge of your seat for two hours and 43 minutes.
Grade: A

Matthew Creith

What makes “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” compelling is its stranglehold over beautifully shot action scenes complimenting an otherwise convoluted premise surrounding artificial intelligence. Cruise is too intelligent of an actor to let the premise become the focal point, as he dazzles viewers with complicated character arcs throughout the film. It can’t be understated how much fun every performer appears to have with the script by McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, injecting comedy into a fascinating plot where artificial intelligence becomes another character in this intriguing movie. Not only is this newest installment one of the best the franchise has given us, it will indeed be considered one of the best action films of the past few years.
Grade: A

Maggie Ma
So many exciting, well-cut action sequences one after another. The airport and train sequences are really well-designed. Hayley Atwell’s character is the most fun one. Love to see her and Tom Cruise playing magic tricks. Best of the series so far. Have a lot of fun watching it.
Grade: A-

Abbie Bernstein
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE fulfills its mission of being entertaining, and engaging, and showing us a few new tricks in the “how do they get out of this one” handbook.
Grade: B

Don Shanahan
After nearly 30 years, we are locked in and present for all that these dire missions entail– consequences and all, hope and all. We’ve made our choice and signed our own oath of fandom to chase our own tails and hang on to every clue. Give us one more adventure, Tom. We’re as ready and committed as you are.
Grade: A-

John Nguyen
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One highlights were Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff, and the third act included Tom Cruise doing his death-defying stunt. The movie is long, and I felt the long running time. Definitely the weakest of the McQuarrie-directed films.
Grade: C

Francisco Cangiano
Another banger! Tom Cruise and company keep upping the ante with exciting/tense action, great performances and well-crafted, timely storytelling. It’s everything you want and need from a summer blockbuster popcorn movie. One of the best films of the year and one of the best entries of the franchise.
Grade: A

Therese Lacson
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is 10% Tom Cruise running, 60% action scenes, and 40% info dump. This script was written by a robot, and the film is only held together by Cruise’s death-defying stunts and his charm. This franchise wouldn’t survive without him.
Grade: D+

Mara Knopic
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One may have set the gold standard for a ‘part one’: it has a conclusion to its plot combined with a direction for a continuation of that story in the second installment as well as character arcs that come full circle while affording room for them to grow in Part Two. Tom Cruise gives this movie his all with some of the most incredible stunt performances ever undertaken in cinema and the application of inventive film-making techniques to elevate this movie far beyond the typical summer blockbuster; it’s a work of art. The cinematography in the film is next-level and seeing in IMAX is a MUST for both the cinefile as well as the general audience. The supporting cast is as good as ever and the inclusion of Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and the return of Henry Czerny integrates seamlessly with each person serving an important role in this story. Coming in at over two and a half hours, the movie surprisingly flies by without feeling as if the action scenes are bloated filler. At the end of the day, it’s a four-quadrant movie that fulfills the promises it made and has earned a second viewing for at least this movie-goer.
Grade: A

Ashley Saunders
Part one of two, Dead Reckoning has the monumental task of being satisfying on its own while also laying the groundwork for a larger narrative that won’t conclude until the next film. Not only that, but the story itself has lofty aspirations– mainly making the timely threat of AI sound terrifying and less like a Scooby-Doo villain living in his parents’ basement. Of the former, the film is entertaining enough to capture audiences looking for a big summer blockbuster. The high-energy, insane action sequences are exactly what we have come to expect from this franchise, with Cruise showing off his daredevil skills. Atwell is a great addition to the core group and her Grace plays well off of Cruise’s Ethan. The latter however toes the line between serious and silly but is mostly hindered by the incessant repeating of what the MacGuffin is and why it needs to be stopped.
Grade: B+

Peggy Marie
Honestly, who needs CGI when you have Tom Cruise? Dead Reckoning is a force to be ‘reckoned’ with – pun intended. It’s hard not to fall off the edge of your seat while watching, but it does give you moments to catch your breath. Just do yourself a favour and see it on the biggest screen possible!
Grade: A

Rasha Goel
A Tom Cruise summer blockbuster that will have you hanging at the edge of your seat! With some of the wildest stunts in Cruise’s career, the film also has a strong focus on female characters. An overall fun film that leaves you anticipating part two!
Grade: A

Kay-B
Always a fun roller coaster of a ride when Ethan Hunt is involved! It was action-packed and the stunts are insanely good per usual.
Grade: A

David Gonzalez
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a mission that demands acceptance. A film that self-destructs into a dazzling action spectacle that not only shows off Christoper McQuarrie’s impeccable direction but a screenplay that does not shy away from its timely examination of AI and its consequences.
Grade: A-

Sara Clements
There has never been an actor like Tom Cruise. His passion for delivering the best action movie makes Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One an unforgettable theatre experience. Every sequence is pulse-pounding. It’s crafted like an art, sucking the air out of the theatre with every masterstroke. The action is the biggest draw – and it delivers. Otherwise, its script isn’t perfect: weak villains, and I have issues with some narrative choices. However, it’s surprisingly very screwball at times with many laughs. The car chase especially. It reminded me of What’s Up, Doc? and Cruise with Hayley Atwell felt like something out of Charade. Atwell is fucking phenomenal and steals the show. This is HER movie.
Grade: A-

Mark Johnson
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is not without its plot holes and head-scratching moments, but the action and stunt sequences are absolutely entertaining. Vanessa Kirby is my favorite part. She’s having so much fun with that role. Great theater movie.

Grade: B+

Joel D. Amos
Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an action masterpiece. Star/producer Tom Cruise and director/producer/co-writer Christopher McQuarrie have woven a web that traverses the globe with heart-stopping moments around every turn. Yet, there are still beats that allow the audience to catch their breath and moments for the actors to flex their artistic muscles and not just their physical ones. Cruise is an ageless superstar who (with McQuarrie) has achieved the–pun intended–impossible. They have created a franchise that gets better as it goes along. This film is an explosive, white-knuckle, mind-blower that satisfies on every count. The supporting cast is brilliant. The usual suspects–Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are flawless. Rebecca Ferguson is sublime as Elsa and continues to prove she is one of the great actresses of her generation. Vanessa Kirby has a special challenge in her role as The White Widow and blows the roof off. Joining the crew is Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy) as a heavy doing baddie Esai Morales’ Gabriel’s bidding. There is also something more… an AI entity that is by far the most dangerous thing the IMF and Ethan Hunt (Cruise) has gone after… ever. The Mission is the best yet. The best aspect… is that it is only Part One!

Grade: A+

Alex Billington
What! A! Film! Dead Reckoning Part One is awesome, just awesome. THE action movie of the summer. All of the stunts are incredible, and they look excellent on the big screen – shooting them practically really does still make a big difference. The whole movie is even funnier than I was expecting, it’s so ridiculous and cheesy that it becomes hilarious in a “screw it, we know this is crazy, strap in and enjoy the ride” way. They know the plot is dumb and over-the-top and the cast leans into that with their serious yet still engaging and enjoyable performances. McQuarrie is getting better and better with every M:I movie he makes – and I’m happy to go along for the ride every time.
Grade: A

Scott Menzel
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One continues to prove how no one does action quite like Tom Cruise. Dead Reckoning Part One is another adrenaline-pumping entry in the franchise that has even more outrageous stunts that need to be seen to be believed. The story this time around, while timely, comes across a bit more convoluted than I expected. The bloated runtime also hurts the film a bit because the pacing seems off between the first and second act. As a whole, this entry has a much different feeling than the previous Mission: Impossible films, which is a good thing because the stakes do feel higher than ever before. Hayley Atwell is a welcomed addition to the crew and she plays off Cruise with such ease. Like all of these films, this one should be seen on the big screen with a crowd.
Grade: B+

Tom O’Brien
There’s a lot to like in “M:I – DR Pt 1.” The stunts are bigger and impressively varied (especially compared with the endless car chases in the current “Indiana Jones”), nearly all of which the 61-year-old (possibly mad) Cruise insists on performing himself. And the film’s villain is a rogue A.I. program set to infiltrate every facet of our lives, a bad guy that’s quite timely, given our current state of affairs. But if I’m in the “like it” but not “love it” category, it’s probably that the screenplay doesn’t offer the same emotional resonance as such recent action films as “John Wick: Chapter 4” or Cruise’s own “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Grade: B

Lupe Rodriguez Haas
Tom Cruise delivers his usual performance but with more comedy. There are more moments of levity than ever before. A majority of the fun stems from Hayley Atwell’s small-time pickpocket character Grace who constantly outsmarts Ethan.
Grade: B+