Mission Impossible * * * * Dead Reckoning 1

 Another Mission Impossible film for the franchise and another hit.

This one ends on a cliff hanger, with only half the story told.  It is literally called Part One, so be prepared to put your hand in your pocket next year to learn the outcome.  Somehow I'm guessing the MI team will win the day.

Ethan Hawke (Tom Cruise) tends to dominate this one more than ever, with the rest of the team working more as a backup.  Though there are some welcome returns with  both Isla and The White Widow from MI Fallout.   

Then there is the new girl, Grace . She comes from a dubious background but she's got enough skills and smarts to prompt the team to bring her in. 

We take the Lambo or the Fiat?

But what we are really here for are the thrills and spills and the impossible stunts and deaf dying leaps of which there are plenty.

It's a really simple story, almost bordering on dystopian.  There is a key made up of two parts.  The key unlocks some computer that has the software to.... you guessed it.... bring down the world or take ownership of the world and .... you guessed it... .there's a wealthy mad man who wants that key!

It moves along at breakneck speed with amazing car chases, fight scenes, explosions and cliff hangers.  Lots of banter between the team "You do your thing and I'll do mine" etc. 

Getting the key will be challenging enough.  The hard part will be finding the 'puter it unlocks.  Interestingly, from the opening scenes we know where it is. So we're kind of watching the team trying to figure out something that we already know. 

Amongst other exotic locations visits to Venice and Rome give you the travelogue you'd expect, with action in the tiny narrow streets of Venice and The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain in Rome.