Tom Cruise and Director Christopher McQuarrie have become collaborators of the highest order. While they were first brought together on the set of Jack Reacher, this is their third "Mission: Impossible" installment, coming after Rogue Nation and Fallout. And it’s a partnership that threatens to match what Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg created with their Indiana Jones films in redefining the action/adventure genre - in this case, it’s MI setting a new standard for the technology-driven suspense thriller. A two-part cruciform key that unlocks a special AI called Entity lies at the center of this political thriller/action film; and while we have the powers of the IMF Squad ranged against it, it’s easy to say that Ethan and his crew have definitely met their match in Entity - and to the people allied to its taking over the game of geopolitics, and plugging for world domination. Dead Reckoning has been publicized as a Part 1, so we know that Cruise and McQuarrie will be back in their saddles for Part 2. The first thing I’ll mention is that McQuarrie and Cruise have seen how so many franchise films have been executed of late, and how they don’t fall into the trap of turning it into an exercise of fan service and Easter egg cameos, without a strong new narrative to drive the plot. Here, the plot device, the MacGuffin, of this Entity key is firmly established, and we’re made well aware of the implications for those who would possess the key, and have access to this AI. There’s an estimated budget of $290 million riding on this film, so it is one of the most expensive films ever made - and you’ll note how the globe-trotting and action set-ups, at times, echo such recent films as John Wick 4 and Indiana Jones’ Dial of Destiny. But you will appreciate how much more is expended by making it not just about split-second timing of stunts and choreographed vehicles, but also about lifelike accidents and wanton destruction. Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, and proving that at 61 years of age, he still makes a cinematic spectacle of running! Have you noticed how in practically every film he makes, there’ll be a scene of Tom running? It’s apparently one of his specialties - looking good, sexy, and composed while exerting effort in strenuous physical activity. Luther (Ving Rhames), and Benji (Simon Pegg) return, and there’s a host of main players from previous MI outings that make a comeback here. These include Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), Alanna (Vanessa Kirby), and Gabriel (Esai Morales). The standouts among the new characters would be the professional thief Grace (Hayley Atwell) and ruthless assassin Paris (Pom Klementieff). And yes, it is great to watch Pom play a character other than Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, you may think this is an excessive running time for a film that’s divided into two parts; but I can say here, that the last hour or so really ratchets up the action, and whatever misgivings you may have harbored centered on crisper editing will soon disappear. The set pieces when they do come are real pleasures to watch - and you’ll have fun picking your favorite. The airport scene would be one of my best, as it includes the MI disguises, tech support, breezy banter, plus Tom in all his running splendor. But having said that, I can’t stress how crazy the scenes on the Orient Express are - and I know that for most, this will be their favorite. In other words, and without giving you spoilers, I’m saying that there’s really much to appreciate and enjoy with Dead Reckoning Part 1. It shoots the action thriller into a new trajectory, and will be setting a new benchmark - and I know I’ll be waiting for Part 2, hoping it comes in a year’s time. Tom may be beginning to look his age, but his ‘running pretty’ is still hard to beat.