Written By: Cyrus Chiang
Plot: 7/10
Directing: 6/10
Stunt Choreography: 9/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Visual Effects: 8/10
Sound Design: 7/10
Soundtrack: 8/10
Editing: 4/10
Costume: 6/10
Overall: 7.5/10
Stunt Action Like Never Seen Before
I must give credit where credit is due. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning really does deliver in the stunt department, with exhilarating stunt action such as base jumping from a bike mixed with strong hand-to-hand combat scenes and tense car chase sequences. The camera shots were clean without excessive cuts, allowing the audience to see the full action sequence without feeling dizzy and confused. The choreography was well thought out and had the audience on the edge of their seats each and every time.
Something Not About Nukes? Impossible!!
This time around, Mission Impossible decided not to use the overused troupe of a nuclear bomb, even poking fun that all the previous antagonists’ goals involved a nuke. The plot, despite feeling slightly fresher than some of the previous films in the franchise, still lacked much of the forgone depth potential, focusing instead on the stunts and other action scenes. However, it is important to consider the movie’s demographic, and the viewers watching are looking for a fast paced action movie with crazy stunts and fancy fight scenes instead of an emotional drama. Despite this, I still wish the movie had more emotional depth which could potentially heighten the tension and stakes during each action scene.
The Editing…
The pacing throughout the entire movie was very off, with some moments feeling far too slow and other moments awkwardly cut to speed up the film. Oftentimes entire scenes were cut at the last minute during post to try and shorten the run time, leaving the audience confused on how the characters transitioned from one scene to the next. Some scenes dragged on for too long, sometimes cutting to other characters that did not provide much value to the scene. In fact there was no need to drag this movie out into two movies. With correct pacing, this 2 part movie would have been just one movie with an ending that would feel significantly more satisfying for the audience.
Why this movie is worth watching
I think this movie is definitely worth watching if you are a big fan of action movies or just someone who wants to watch a movie that gives you a small adrenaline rush. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, while lacking in emotional depth, fills the void with incredible stunts, an easy-to-understand plot punctuated with jokes that generally land and of course, Tom Cruise. While it is slightly overrated, in the end this movie is great fun and thrilling to watch, keeping you on the edge of your seats through each and every action sequence.
Comments