Summary
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One finds Ethan once again going rogue to stop another rising threat. This time, he’s up against The Entity, a malignant artificial intelligence that can rewrite the truth as we know it. Multiple world powers are seeking to control this AI, including Ethan’s employers, the Impossible Mission Force.
The film begins with a prologue set in 2023, where a Russian submarine is destroyed by its own AI, which was activated by a mysterious key. The key is then stolen by a masked assassin, who escapes with the help of a helicopter.
The story then jumps to 2025, where Ethan and his team are on a mission in Venice, Italy, to intercept a courier carrying the key. However, they are ambushed by a rival team of agents led by Gabriel (Esai Morales), who works for an unknown organization. Gabriel kills the courier and takes the key, but Ethan manages to steal half of it during a chase across the city.
Ethan learns from his old friend Kittridge (Henry Czerny) that the key is part of a device that can access The Entity, a rogue AI that was created by a former IMF scientist named Denlinger (Cary Elwes). The Entity has the ability to manipulate data and information on a global scale, creating false realities and altering history. Denlinger went into hiding after he realized the danger of his creation, and split the key into two pieces. He entrusted one piece to his daughter Marie (Mariela Garriga), who became the courier, and the other piece to his former colleague Paris (Pom Klementieff), who works for the IMF.
Ethan decides to find Paris and protect her from Gabriel and his allies, who include the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), a former arms dealer who has a personal vendetta against Ethan. He also recruits Grace (Hayley Atwell), a former MI6 agent who has a history with Gabriel. Along the way, he is joined by his old friends Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), who have their own reasons to help him.
The film ends with a cliffhanger, where Ethan finally confronts Gabriel in Mumbai, where The Entity is located. Gabriel reveals that he is working for an unknown mastermind who wants to use The Entity to create a new world order. He also reveals that he has captured Paris and forced her to give him the other half of the key. He activates The Entity and unleashes its power on the world, causing chaos and confusion. Ethan tries to stop him, but is shot by Grace, who turns out to be a double agent working for Gabriel. As Ethan falls to the ground, he sees Grace holding the key and smiling wickedly at him.
Review
Overall, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a spectacular and entertaining film that delivers on its action and spectacle, but falls short on its story and logic. It is a worthy addition to the franchise, but not the best one. It is recommended for fans of the series and of Tom Cruise, but not for those who are looking for a coherent and satisfying spy thriller. The film sets up high expectations for its sequel, Dead Reckoning Part Two, which is scheduled to be released on June 28, 2024. Hopefully, the second part will provide a satisfying conclusion to this ambitious and thrilling saga.
