Following on directly from the final events from the previous outing, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 (2023), we first see Ethan Hunt (Cruise), in the obligatory "This Mission, if you choose to accept it" scene. But this time using a TV/VHS combo unit (which felt quite nostalgic for me) and the message is directly from President of the US, Sloane (Angela Bassett). On the tape she pleads with Hunt to give himself up and bring in the 'Cruciform KEY'.
Ethan initially feels that he has to follow a different plan as he knows Gabriel (Esai Morales), the existential bad guy in this story, is wanting the key back to place "The Entity" Rogue AI under his influence and achieve total dominance over the World's nuclear arsenal.
Starting in London, Ethan begins gathering his usual team but unfortunately loses one in a massive bomb blast under the city. He finds out it was indeed set by Gabriel and that he has also stolen a crucial one-of-a-kind decryption tool from the lab Hunt's deceased colleague was working from.
As it's clear the AI is getting more powerful by the hour, Hunt decides the only plan of action to defeat it is to hand himself, and the key, to the US authorities - as they are the only ones with the hardware he needs to help him and the team succeed - and thus save everyone on the Planet!
Unlike previous outings in this franchise, we don't start with a massive all-out set-piece. Instead, there is quite a bit of exposition in the first half-hour, but it sets up nicely for the second act when the action really ramps up. Sequences are choreographed and edited brilliantly so you are literally on the edge of your seat. The 2 hour 50 minute runtime does sound a bit long - but honestly, it flies!
I don't really know how Mr Cruise does this stuff at all, let alone at 60+ years old! There's an underwater sequence in a submarine wreck that I can't imagine what sort of rig they needed to construct to achieve the constantly-moving interior peril. There's also a particularly jaw dropping sequence on a bi-plane that is partly shown in the official trailer.
Everyone reprises their roles including Hayley Atwell as Grace, who seems to have buffed-up even more since the last film. Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn has grown the most in his now, sixth appearance in the franchise - and really commands your full attention to the screen. There a couple of notable additions. Hannah Waddingham plays Admiral Neely. An uber-professional US Navy aircraft carrier group commander (who looks pretty good in uniform) and Tramell Tillman as cold war loving, submarine Captain Bledsoe, who initially finds Ethan's plan totally bonkers but becomes an important ally to help him complete this virtually impossible mission!
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