--- title: "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 11 reviews: 10 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and the spread is narrow: the great majority land somewhere between admiring and delighted, with the reservations mostly about the same thing. The praise clusters around the set pieces, particularly the Rome car chase, the motorcycle cliff jump and the closing train sequence, and around Christopher McQuarrie’s staging of practical action with Tom Cruise at the centre of it. Several reviews also single out Hayley Atwell as a strong addition, and the chemistry between her and Cruise as the thing that makes the quieter stretches work. The complaints are about the plot rather than the action: too much exposition about the AI villain, too many mechanics, a story that several critics find more convoluted than earlier entries, and a repeated verdict that it does not quite reach the level of Fallout. Two dissenters stand apart. Little White Lies finds it oddly flat despite the spectacle, and The Times calls it an incoherent mess in which the stunts are undone by the film around them. ## Financial Times Rating ★★★★★. 5 July 2023. Christopher McQuarrie crafts a delirious thrill-ride with intricate action, villainous AI and thoughtful reinvention; Tom Cruise scales new heights of movie heroism. The reviewer singles out the mad, semi-abstract car chase in Rome and the film's imaginative discipline and call-backs to silent cinema for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/a4735323-ff3b-497d-9cc3-2ca893e86972) ## Radio Times — Patrick Cremona Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2023. There are more than enough high-octane stunts and anxiety-inducing moments to set pulses racing, and the film offers a satisfying narrative arc while teeing up its successor. The set pieces are thrilling and Cruise’s death-defying exploits breathtaking, making it the epitome of popcorn cinema despite minor narrative lulls. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-1-review/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B+. 5 July 2023. The review highlights how the film escalates the franchise's practical action spectacle and commentary on algorithms while reaffirming its unique place among blockbusters, even if it doesn't quite top Fallout. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-1234881243/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2023. The film is ludicrously entertaining and a gleaming advertisement for Hollywood itself, with fluid, satisfying action sequences that build to a triumphantly visceral runaway-train climax. McQuarrie’s writing compensates for any lack of sheer visual verve while Cruise once again shoulders the weight of the movies. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-07-05/mission-impossible-7-review-tom-cruise-dead-reckoning-part-one) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Rating 4/5. 5 July 2023. While the film occasionally feels lumbering or unwieldy next to the franchise's high standards, it still delivers spectacular set-pieces and a satisfying narrative pause before the conclusion. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2023. The critic calls the film a familiar magic trick executed to perfection, praising its astonishing action sequences and spectacle while noting some overdone exposition about the AI villain. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/film-review-in-mission-impossible-7-tom-cruise-fights-ai.html) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 3/4. 5 July 2023. The review criticizes the deadening setup and overabundance of plot mechanics but singles out the killer action set pieces and caper comedy for soaring entertainment value. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise/) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 4/3/3. 5 July 2023. It is formulaic fun but a strangely flat experience with diminishing returns amid ambitious action; the plot carries little emotional weight and feels overly contrived. The chemistry between Cruise, Ferguson and Atwell makes it click, and there are staggering set-pieces like the Rome car chase. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one) ## Empire — Alex Godfrey 5 July 2023. The critic praises the deep creative partnership between Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, highlighting the film's tactile, propulsive action sequences and the way it keeps the long-running saga thrilling and entertaining. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one/) ## Screen Daily 5 July 2023. Brimming with confidence and swaggering showmanship, it further cements the series as a consistently dazzling action franchise with gripping thriller elements, spectacular set pieces and nuanced emotional shading. Atwell and Morales make strong additions, and Cruise’s Ethan shows subtle vulnerability. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review/5183496.article) ## Sight and Sound 4 July 2023. The film demonstrates Tom Cruise’s determination to defy the ravages of time with a slick, stylised instalment that reliably puts its money on the screen. It favours cool-tempered kineticism and baroque set pieces while finding new ways to up the ante in the franchise. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-thrilling-blockbuster-that-continually-ups-ante) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 5 July 2023. This is the Tom Cruisiest Mission: Impossible film yet, with Cruise's incredible stunts and the franchise's stamina and brio keeping it fresh seven films in. The reviewer singles out the legendary motorcycle cliff jump and other tremendous set pieces for praise while noting the silly-serious tone and ongoing vitality of the series. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/05/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 5 July 2023. The critic praises the film's breathless, high-octane stunt sequences and action set pieces but notes that the convoluted story takes a backseat and feels overly complicated compared to earlier entries. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-1235527819/) ## The Times 5 July 2023. The film is a spirit-crushing mess assembled from half-completed rushes, with a poor script, slipshod story and action scenes that suffer from structural problems and feel random or context-free. The reviewer complains about the overall incoherence despite glimpses of what the stunts might have achieved in a better film. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-s-blockbuster-is-a-spirit-crushing-mess-twlzrtbfg) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Rating Critic's Pick. 5 July 2023. The critic finds the film a strong, timely entry that pairs breaking-news AI intrigue with increasingly elaborate practical action set pieces. McQuarrie delivers hall-of-fame stunts while tying storylines back into the franchise mythology, even if it does not quite top Fallout. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-1235661556/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 4.5/5. 11 July 2023. The critic calls the film a masterful, twisting, often breathtaking action thriller that never lets up, with genuine character moments and practical stunts adding to its entertainment value. They single out the insanely choreographed action sequences and the strong chemistry between Cruise and Hayley Atwell for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-new-heights/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2023. The critic hails the film as a masterpiece of action filmmaking and an unassailable high point in the franchise. They single out the precise, careful handling of emotional stakes around loss and choice alongside the breathtaking stunt sequences. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1332002/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-spoiler-review/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating B+. 5 July 2023. The film is plenty of fun and one of the best action movies of the summer, but feels like a bit of a disappointment after Fallout and the series' high bar. The critic singles out the consistently exhilarating action sequences for praise while noting franchise bloat, over-explanation, and an underwhelming villain. [Read the review](https://collider.com/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-1-review/) ## Deadline — Todd McCarthy 5 July 2023. The critic calls the film exceptional and a top-tier action picture that ramps up excitement and impressiveness to new levels. The creative team tops previous entries with inventive spectacle and strong performances led by Cruise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/07/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review-tom-cruise-1235429989/) ## The Wrap — Tomris Laffly 5 July 2023. The critic praises the breathtaking stunts and set pieces as highlights of a top-shelf Tom Cruise sequel. McQuarrie’s direction keeps the film light on its feet while delivering crowd-pleasing action elevated by strong sound design. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md