There is a moment in the opening act that tips its hand to atrocious writing and nonsensical Artificial Intelligence action that tells us the writers aren’t really good at polishing the plausibility issues (both director McQuarrie and Jendresen share script writing credits).  What am I alluding to?  More of that in the Gold Members’ edition.

But the ignitor cause matters little in MI films, the initial cause of the adventure quickly fades to the background as the first part of this adventure consists of the moviegoer tagging along with the IMF crew in what amounts to a globe-trotting “find the map or hidden treasure” quest adventure.  The movie doesnt explore anything related to the plausibility or improbability of high-tech creating this kind of global disaster.  You, the viewer, must take it on Scientology faith value that science and Armageddon weapons development afficianados would blithely roll the dice on something like this.

You are supposed to be cynical and already anticipatory of such a possibility as Benji’s reaction attests to when updated by Ethan.

Well, not so long ago we were treated to the exploits of the Fast and Furious in Rome.  And it just happens that the IMF crew is also on the hunt for a key piece of technology that could unwind the clock and shut down the threat.  They too zip along in fast car crashes in Rome, only the stunts are much wilder, scarier and funnier.  Amazing that the crew of MI and Fast and Furious were not tempted in showing us moments of a cross over where Ethan bumps into Dom Torretto “hey don’t I know you from somewhere?”  I don’t know but I can see Dom (and Letty) smirking and growling his V-8 muscle car before giving the tiny Fiat the slip.

Back to form are both Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg as Luther and Benji, faithful and more than family reliable.

If Cruise looks worse for wear, these two definitely look worn out and over-whelmed by the physical demands of another MI adventure.

The writing duo of McQuarrie and Jendresen manage to work up a few lines of dialogue that are age and mortality appropriate.

Henry Czerny returns as Ethan’s boss, Eugene Kitteridge, replacing Alec Baldwin’s Alan Hunley who was recently KIA in MI Fallout.

In fact, part of the fun that plays out in Rome is that the IMF team is hot on the trail of the device to unlock the threat while a CIA/black ops team is on the hunt and super-hot on the tail of the IMF agency – now disavowed by the government. Czerny gives a far more realistic agency director who is basically not giving Ethan an assignment but thought he might be interested on account of former friend and ally Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) from MI6 is in jeopardy.

Some genuinely amusing moments arise with the black ops team hunting the IMF having second thoughts, when everyone is warned that Hunt is the best there is.  At one point in the film, an underling starts to prod the team lead in questioning the validity of their own orders.  It’s very brief but fun to watch as these touches add a light measure of realism and humor.  But the most fun of course is to be had from the toss and tumble of four characters. 

Ethan meeting Grace (Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter in Captain America), who in this movie is a super talented thief and has skills Ethan can use.  They both are after the same item and what ensues is a tongue-in-cheek mix of master thief trying to trump master spy, all the while keeping on a debonair attitude and a allowing a bonding that grows all along into the final act of the film. 

We mentioned four characters, in this case Pom Klementieff as Paris, a really wicked assassin working for an assassin who knew Ethan years ago and whose actions may have driven him into the lap of the IMF.  Esai Morales (who portrayed Deathstroke in DC Titans) is the ultimate nemesis of the IMF team and sets Paris nipping at their heels. 

Klementieff does a really good job, setting herself quite apart from Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy.  She plays a relentless, capable murderer who delights in her work.  But the writers give us a surprise in the final act as far as the Paris character goes.

The entire Paris chase and some of the action in Rome gave an unmistakable John Wick 4 vibe.  Unfortunately for MI, John Wick had a far more intense texture while Dead Reckoning sailed along those same beats with a much lighter composure.

A spy adventure is never complete nor classic without a steam train ride that puts all involved in harm’s way.

McQuarrie and Cruise oblige their whims and deliver a powerful action sequence in the finale that could leave you gripping along the handles of your movie theater seat and pulling for our heroes.  Well, perhaps some fellow viewers did just that, but the entire final act is one non-stop action sequence reminiscent of Indiana Jones’ better earlier days at the movie house.

While I found this new outing for the Mission Impossible team appealing and fun to watch, my colleague Shannon Donnelly was of a different mind and did a 180 degree review piece.

She found Dead Reckoning appalling and missed its mark on a number of benchmarks.  What’s this all about?  Read our Gold Members’ full-length review for both critics’ assessments and the complete picture.