Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh installment of the blockbuster spy franchise. The film, which is the first part of a two-part finale, had its world premiere in Rome on June 19, 2023, and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
The film follows Hunt and his team as they race against time to stop a deadly weapon from falling into the wrong hands. The film features several action sequences set in the Italian capital, such as a motorcycle chase through the streets and a train fight on a bridge. Cruise performed all his own stunts in the film, without using a stunt double.
“I’m always fighting for big theaters because that’s where we make our movies to be seen,” Cruise said at the premiere, which was held at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, a stone’s throw from the Vatican. The premiere was delayed by more than 90 minutes as Cruise was holding an impromptu meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government.
“Delighted that the Capital of Italy is the protagonist of Tom Cruise’s latest film. The ‘mission impossibles’ are also our bread and butter in government,” Meloni wrote on social media, along with a photo with the Hollywood star.
The film was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who also wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film with Cruise and J.J. Abrams. McQuarrie and Cruise were joined by a large contingent of the film’s ensemble at the premiere, including Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davis.
Critics praised the film’s production value, action sequences, and performances. Perri Nemiroff of Collider wrote: “Dead Reckoning Part One is another winner for the franchise. Yet again, the production value is THROUGH THE ROOF with some of the most well-defined and exhilarating set pieces photographed in ways that truly make you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.”
Erik Davis of Fandango called Dead Reckoning “an impeccably made action film that does not stop entertaining”. He added: “The story is big & sprawling, but I like how it both felt complete & left you dying for what comes next.”
Joseph Deckelmeier of Screenrant singled out Atwell’s performance as Grace, a mysterious and “destructive” new character who joins Hunt’s mission.
The film is set to hit theaters worldwide on June 23, 2023. The second part, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, will be released in 2024. Fans can expect more thrilling adventures and impossible missions from Cruise and his team.
Relevant articles:
‘Mission: Impossible 7’ First Reactions: Tom Cruise Conquers Critics With ‘Impeccably Made,’ ‘Exhilarating’ Action Film, Variety, June 19, 2023
Meloni receives Tom Cruise: ‘Mission impossible every day in government’, The Limited Times, June 20, 2023
Tom Cruise has a meeting with far-right Italian premier Giorgia Meloni before Mission Impossible premiere, Oh No They Didn’t!, June 20, 2023
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning first reactions call it an ‘impeccably made action film’, The Indian Express, June 20, 2023