IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt has another world saving mission to complete, should he choose to accept it. Ironically the film’s star (Tom Cruise), is again tasked with saving the cinema experience following the success of Top Gun: Maverick.

This being the seventh iteration of the franchise, the stakes are higher in every sense. The world is again in danger, on this occasion from a timely Artificial Intelligence (AI) threat, manifesting in a physical presence “Gabriel” (Esai Morales), who can be erased in real time on CCTV, thus appearing as a ghost.

The story is as complex as ever, with changing loyalties, masks, exotic locations and as always, a mission to be disavowed if it fails, or “just another Monday” as “Benji” (Simon Pegg) quips. Who are the good or bad guys, or what meaning such labels have, is hard to ascertain, a reflection of our modern world view.

The MI franchise has always been about action with Cruise performing his own stunt work, vowing to top each adrenaline rush with the next. This film does not disappoint, Cruise rides a motorbike off a cliff top, parachuting to the ground for real. Six times on the same day, documented in the feature released in the pre-release hype.

Fights on top of a moving train, speed-flying and massive car chases all for the audiences entertainment. There is no question Cruise is the only A-list star risking his life in this way, everyone else resorting to green screen, CGI and motion capture.

After a strong opening prologue the film jets to Abu Dhabi, Rome, Norway, Venice, and the UK (subbing in for the Orient Express), with each action sequence bookended by lengthy exposition scenes.

Whilst “Luther” (Ving Rhames) and “Benji” get a few sequences, there is significant focus on the female cast who all excel. Newcomer “Grace” (Hayley Atwell) makes a huge impression, clearly we will see more of this character.

Both returning fan favourites “Ilsa” (Rebecca Ferguson) and “White Widow” (Vanessa Kirby), remain as entertaining and impressive as ever. A new character “Paris” (Pom Klementieff) is also a welcome addition, all three actors enduring extensive fight training, proving they are more than willing to mix it up with their male counterparts.

Of course none of this would work without Cruise, who manages at least two running sequences, a staple of the franchise. Director Christopher McQuarrie ringing every last drop of adrenaline from his willing star.

On occasions the film stops for protracted exposition to enable the audience to catch up but largely the plot is irrelevant, a new stunning action sequence will be along soon enough.

Whilst the film does not quite match the previous Mission Impossible: Fallout, this still provides a hugely entertaining two plus hours to enjoy, as nobody else is doing this for real any more.

Summary

Hugely entertaining, despite just falling short of the previous entry, this makes for an exciting blockbuster experience on the big screen.

Whether Cruise is successful in his secondary mission to save Hollywood box office returns, remains to be seen, but indications are positive with “Part Two” due in 2024.

Quite where the stunts go from here is anyone’s guess, maybe zero gravity space is the only place Cruise cannot run?