Mission: Impossible | Dead Reckoning | Final Reckoning

[zen]

After watching it twice in two days, I will put this among the best examples of this franchise, along with MI1 (relatively Hitchcockian in nature) and MI4 (for rebooting the series and memorable stunt sequences).  MI7 uses the best elements of both MI1 and MI4, along with that of Bond films such as For Your Eyes Only. 

 

Because Dead Reckoning is split into 2 parts, it allows the filmmakers to extend the action sequences and even add more "drama" in those sequences. A 2h 49m, it is also the longest film in the franchise but it makes time fly. The film's goal is to take viewers on a wild ride and it manages to do that. MI8 has its work cut out! 

 

A minor complaint is that its key plot element is similar to the one that I am developing for my next book. On the positive side, it was good to those elements play out on the big screen. 

 

 

[zen]

Btw, I watched it 3 times in the first week of its release - a personal record for me! I have watched films 3 or more times in theatres but that has been over 2-4 weeks.

 

Usually, I try to watch films in the premium large format - UltraAVX and IMAX 70mm (not IMAX digital) if a film is shot on the 70mm film. Next week or the week after, MI7 could move out of the premium large format at most venues to regular screens. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Khota]

Watched it last week. Lives up to the hype. Definitely has surpassed Bond in my opinion.

 

Cruise will go down in history as best ever. Right up there with Eastwood.

[zen]

4th viewing now. Most likely the last week it is in UltraAVX before it moves to regular screens at my preferred theatre

 …  Now probably my 2nd most watch film in theatres. Most watched is SPECTRE at 5!

[Khota]

8 hours ago, zen said:

4th viewing now. Most likely the last week it is in UltraAVX before it moves to regular screens at my preferred theatre

 …  Now probably my 2nd most watch film in theatres. Most watched is SPECTRE at 5!

In your opinion who is better, James Bond or Ethan Hunt?

[zen]

3 hours ago, Khota said:

In your opinion who is better, James Bond or Ethan Hunt?

Both have their USP but if I had to pick one -> 007. 

007 is a character developed by Ian Fleming and played by various actors on screen. Besides 007, there are other known characters such as M, Q, Moneypenny, Dr No, Blofeld, Goldfinger, Oddjob, Jaws, etc. Bond has 25 films so there is a lot of variety including films based on books. The series is in the process of rebooting with Bond 26 starring a new actor as Bond. 

 

While Ethan Hunt is Tom Cruise. MI is also driven by an ensemble cast. Most of the later MI films are similar to Bond films of the 80s. The series is in its last legs esp. with Cruise getting old. Not sure if it will be rebooted with a different actor or a new character. In the past, we have had spy franchises such as the Bourne series as well, which had its USP too.
 

PS If I were to roughly put Craig Bond films and McQuarrie directed MI films in an order: 

 

Casino Royale 

Skyfall, No Time to Die; and MI7

MI5 and MI6

Quantum of Solace and SPECTRE 
 

 

Edited July 26, 2023 by zen

[Khota]

5 hours ago, zen said:

Both have their USP but if I had to pick one -> 007. 

007 is a character developed by Ian Fleming and played by various actors on screen. Besides 007, there are other known characters such as M, Q, Moneypenny, Dr No, Blofeld, Goldfinger, Oddjob, Jaws, etc. Bond has 25 films so there is a lot of variety including films based on books. The series is in the process of rebooting with Bond 26 starring a new actor as Bond. 

 

While Ethan Hunt is Tom Cruise. MI is also driven by an ensemble cast. Most of the later MI films are similar to Bond films of the 80s. The series is in its last legs esp. with Cruise getting old. Not sure if it will be rebooted with a different actor or a new character. In the past, we have had spy franchises such as the Bourne series as well, which had its USP too.
 

PS If I were to roughly put Craig Bond films and McQuarrie directed MI films in an order: 

 

Casino Royale 

Skyfall, No Time to Die; and MI7

MI5 and MI6

Quantum of Solace and SPECTRE 
 

 

I used to like Bond, not anymore. They never had an actor playing Bond the caliber of Tom Cruise, and don't go into Sean Connery stuff.

 

Plots are better and stories are lot more up to date in Mission I. Stunts are definitely better and Tom performing it himself is cherry on the cake.

 

As far as character is concerned Ethan is much better than James.

 

One liners are better in James Bond and 007 will last longer than Ethan but after this M.I Ethan >> Bond

[coffee_rules]

Saw it in theaters finally. It was a dine-in theater, still full in a matinee. 
 

Thoroughly enjoyed the action flick , sometimes I wish we get a R rated action flick from Tom Cruise like a Dead Pool did to Avengers or a John Wick did to Matrix. 
 

Some spoilers below…

 

Didnt like one of the female lead getting bumped off conveniently, but liked the MI series trying to blend into a Bond chase scene with a Fiat in Rome. 
 

Like the previous 3 MI movies, amazing locales of Europe and the cliff jumping scene is totally paisa vasool. 
 

Still MI-1 is my favorite movie in this series. MI-3 villian Phillip  Seymour Hoffman being the best of all. I was rooting for him in the movie. Why the big gap between 3 and 4. ?
 

Time well spent

Edited August 19, 2023 by coffee_rules

[Nikhil_cric]

Loved it. The story was the same old rehashed - generic sentient AI trying to take over the World crap. 

 

But the visuals and the acting were good enough. Also I think they used a legit. Soviet Akula class monster?  Thought that was really good. 

[coffee_rules]

I heard that the whole train was built and crashing in the end was real and not CGI

[zen]

MI8 = final reckoning:

 

 

 

[coffee_rules]

Ending the franchise maybe? Like James Bond. Hope they don’t kill off Ethan Hunte!! 
 

[zen]

The budget of MI8 has ballooned to $400M (there could be additional marketing expenses which can be in the range of $100M), making it the 4th most expensive film. 
 

Its ability to make a big profit has diminished (will need to make like $1B+ to break even) so it is more like a gift to the fans. 
 

Though studios make $ through various channels - digital, 4K blu-ray, etc. 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by zen

[zen]

 

Many scenes in the trailer above are from previous films.

[zen]

MI8 Release dates:

 

May 17 - India

May 23 - North America 

[zen]

MI8 - Final Reckoning 

 

Big budget, yes. Big fun, no. 
 
This is the first MI film where I felt bored at times in my first viewing. Not much of memorable action relatively speaking. It revisits previous films on many occasions - though good to see the mystery of the Rabbit Foot finally being revealed (The franchise eventually found a way to use it). 
 
I felt that the camera was too close to the actors, resulting in many 1/4-1/2 body headshots. This probably made Cruise appear old on screen. 

It has that seen it before feel (deja vu moments), and maybe because of that, at times, it may feel like a parody of MI films. 

The film picks up in the final Africa segment. Overall, a timepass film which will probably end up in the lower tier of MI films. 
 
May watch it again. If you watch it, good to keep expectations low to enjoy this more (I watched MI7 for 5 times in cinemas so came in with that momentum).

Edited May 18, 2025 by zen

[zen]

Watched MI8 again with friends. Since I knew which parts to ignore (lowered the expectation) and which parts to look forward to, I enjoyed it relatively more.