AMC's A★List

So it has been 27 years since I saw the first Tom Cruise "Mission Impossible" in the theaters, this was back in 1996, when Eazy-E had just died, Biggie and Tupac were both still alive, and nobody but a few street folk in NYC had heard of Jay-Z. Tom Brady, Lebron James and Messi were known only to their immediate families. A long time ago. And I've seen every one since during their original runs as well, so seeing this film on the listing for Wednesday made it a no-brainer to use A-List slot #3 for the week on it, and in the IMAX format.

Anyway, MIDR1 is yet another "blur of action" movie. This seems to be the theme this summer. I put it in the same group with "Indiana Jones", "Spider-Verse", "Transformers", and "Fast and Furious". Of course, these movies vary a lot in quality IMO, but they all feature long running times and one action set-piece after another with little time to catch your breath.

Of these, I have liked MIDR1 the best. I don't think it is the best Mission Impossible film, maybe 3rd. But it is good. The plot is pretty basic - there is a special object, that if it Falls Into The Wrong Hands will mean earthly catastrophe. It's Tom Cruise's job to fight genuine foes and misguided friends to stop it. And for about 156 minutes various groups careen around the screen in various cityscapes and countryscapes chasing it. With Cruise and the luscious Hayley Atwell escaping one impossible situation after another to stay in the chase.

What makes MIDR1 special is, like the recent Spider-Verse movie, its SFX really are special. The chases and stunts are breathtaking in several places. I found my attention riveted to the screen the whole time. And Cruise's acting is excellent. He conveys a sense of doubt mixed with moral purpose that resonates from the screen. So we care what happens in the action scenes.

B-minus. Recommended. It's not 98% RT worthy, but it's good.

PS - While the sound in the IMAX theater was excellent, it was disappointing to see that the entire IMAX screen was not utilized, so we got the bars top and bottom. At least I do not recall any scenes that were fully-IMAX. So I will probably see it in Dolby next.

PSS - My IMAX is not a "laser".