I LOVED Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One so much. Tom Cruise made the perfect summer blockbuster, and it exceeded all my expectations. This film delivered some of the franchise’s most impressive work and made for a fantastic viewing experience. I never took my eyes off the screen, and I highly recommend you see this on the biggest screen possible.

The action sequences in this film are top notch, captivating you from the very first scene and never letting you go. While some might argue that they don’t match some of the sequences from previous films, it’s hard to argue with the level of excitement. Director Christopher McQuarrie is inventive in building up the sequences, so you never get mired, and your eyes are always glued to the screen. However, it’s the incredible third act that’s a triumph with a train sequence that will go down as one of the all-time greats and for very good reason. I can’t wait to see how Dead Reckoning Part Two tops this.

The film’s overall production is well rounded and, as you would expect for a Tom Cruise flick, stellar. The sets and more importantly, how they’re used, are excellent. The CGI isn’t overdone and the reliance on mainly practical effects is greatly appreciated. Everything feels first rate when it comes to quality in Dead Reckoning Part One and that, in turn, makes for a better viewing experience.

The villain of this film might be the most terrifying of the entire series and makes for some fantastic social commentary on A.I and how we use it. It’s a refreshing idea and the way it’s used in the film is very creative, especially during a specific scene where everything is not what it seems. This choice hits very close to home for us considering all the news about A.I recently and it looks like Ethan Hunt may have finally met his match in Dead Reckoning Part One.

The acting is, as usual, stellar. Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson all deliver but it’s Hayley Atwell’s show first and foremost. The franchise newcomer steals every scene she has on screen and her natural charisma and excellent chemistry with Cruise make her one of the best additions to the franchise. If Atwell is the future of this franchise post-Ethan Hunt, then I won’t be disappointed.

If I had to say one negative thing, I’d say that being the first part of a bigger story drags it down a little bit. Dead Reckoning Part One, as you would expect, ended on a cliffhanger and, while it’s still exciting and fun to watch, you get this empty feeling like you watched an unfinished product. It’s a minor complaint but one that is hard to overlook.

Overall, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an exhilarating and captivating thrill ride that is on par with Fallout for delivering the franchise’s best work and setting a new standard for spy films. It’s going to be a long wait to see how Ethan Hunt’s story concludes next year.