Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (4K UHD Review)

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, directed by Christopher McQuarrie who seems to bring out the best in Cruise, having directed two earlier Mission: Impossible entries and Jack Reacher. This time out Hunt (Cruise) and his crew are battling what could be their greatest enemy, an advanced AI that has evolved to an uncontrollable state. The AI, known as “The Entity,” is capable of controlling all information on the electronic systems and creating false information and narratives. Slippery thief Grace (Hayley Atwell) is drawn into the hunt for the second half of a key that The Entity wants when she picks the pocket of a contact carrying it. Now the chase is on by the IMF to get the key and find out what it unlocks as the Entity sends dangerous people to thwart their efforts.

The story, from a screenplay by Bruce Geller, Christopher McQuarri, and Erik Jendresen, is a prescient one, successfully playing up new Cold War fears and the emergence of powerful AI (think ChatGPT on steroids). McQuarrie’s direction keeps the pace moving, the action spellbinding, and the visual effects believable and breathtaking. Cruise may be getting a little old to play the superman archetype that Ethan Hunt requires, but his skill and the help of movie magic keep him from seeming long in the tooth.

Part One ends with some tragedy and perhaps a new agent entering the IMF scene, but we will have to see what Part Two brings in the furtherance of the story arc. Just on its own, however, this is one of the more enjoyable entries in the franchise.

The Video

The film was shot in 4.5K on various Arri and Sony digital cameras with various Panavision lenses. It utilizes a 4K digital intermediate mastered with Dolby Vision. There are no complaints to find in this pristine, crisp, and detailed transfer. The Dolby Vision HDR grading lends excellent specular highlight ‘pop’ and color vibrancy to lights and reflections. Skin tones look natural and there is extended shadow detail but also inky blacks.

The Audio

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One comes to 4K Ultra HD with a lossless Dolby Atmos audio mix that is aggressive, balanced, and full of big low end. From the opening scenes with the explosion of the submarine under water, we know we will have bone rattling low-end extension. The percussive staccato score hits with authority and the overhead channels carry a good balance of solid effects, ambience, and atmospherics. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible even in the loudest scenes.

The Supplements

Only a commentary resides on the 4K disc while the included Blu-ray has several behind-the-scenes and making of featurettes focused on the specific locations and set action pieces.

Bonus Features:

• Commentary by Director Christopher McQuarrie and Editor Eddie Hamilton

Blu-ray Only:

• Abu Dhabi (1080p; 00:03:54)
• Rome (1080p; 00:04:12)
• Venice (1080p; 00:04:12)
• Freefall (1080p; 00:09:05)
• Speed Flying (1080p; 00:04:17)
• Train (1080p; 00:05:31)

The Final Assessment

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is an action-packed spectacular that gets the adrenalin pumping and never loses a step. The 4K Ultra HD release is top notch, reference quality from beginning to end.

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One is out on 4K Ultra HD Combo October 31, 2023, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

• Rating Certificate: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, some language and suggestive material.)
• Studios & Distributors: Paramount Pictures | Skydance Media | TC Productions | Truenorth Productions | Paramount Home Entertainment
• Director: Christopher McQuarrie
• Written By: Bruce Geller | Christopher McQuarrie | Erik Jendresen
• Run Time: 163 Mins.
• Street Date: 31 October 2023
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
• Primary Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible)
• Secondary Audio: English Audio Description | Spanish (Latino) DD 5.1 | French Dolby Atmos | French (Canadian) DD 5.1 | Isolated Score Track
• Subtitles: English | English SDH | Danish | Spanish (Latino) | French | French (Canadian) | Dutch | Norwegian | Finnish | Swedish