By John Corrado

Please note that this is a review of the 4K Ultra HD release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. For my full thoughts on the film itself, you can read my original review right here.

Following its run in theatres over the summer, Paramount is now releasing Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One on physical media this week, including a 4K Ultra HD SteelBook edition.

This seventh instalment in the action franchise has a globe-trotting, James Bond-esque plot that finds Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and his team in a race to find both halves of a key, and stop an artificially intelligent entity that has the power to control the world.

The main attraction is once again Cruise doing his own stunts, through a series of set-pieces that are brilliantly pulled off by director Christopher McQuarrie and his team, from a car chase through Rome, to a motorcycle jump off a cliff, and a thrilling train sequence.

This is another exciting sequel in what has become one of our most impressive action franchises, and the 4K edition will be the preferred choice for home video enthusiasts with its superior 2160p image. The SteelBook itself features stylized artwork highlighting several key stunts, with a striking red and black colour scheme. The cover depcits a train car crashing through the M:I logo, with Cruise’s motorcycle jump on the back, and an illustration of him hanging off a cliff spread across the inside panels.

Film Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)

Bonus Features (4K Ultra HD):

The 3-disc set includes a 4K disc and regular Blu-ray that contain the film itself and a commentary track (accessible under settings), with the bonuses being held on a separate Blu-ray. We get six featurettes that only add up to about thirty minutes in total, but give us a deeper appreciation of individual set-pieces.

• Commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie and editor Eddie Hamilton

• Abu Dhabi (3 minutes, 55 seconds): Looks at shooting in Abu Dhabi, including the airport and desert sequences.

• Rome (4 minutes, 12 seconds): A look at the challenges of shooting practically on the streets of Rome, and staging a car chase through the cobblestone streets.

• Venice (4 minutes, 12 seconds): Explores the challenges of shooting on location in Venice, including in narrow alleyways, and the different fighting styles on display during the noirish sequence.

• Freefall (9 minutes, 5 seconds): A fascinating look at the logistics of pulling off Cruise’s motorcycle ride over a cliff into a base jump.

• Speed Flying (4 minutes, 17 seconds): Looks at the risky sport of speed flying seen in the film, which Cruise perfected over several years.

• Train (5 minutes, 32 seconds): Explores the unique challenges of building a train to drive off a cliff, and the one shot they had to get this sequence right.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a Paramount Home Entertainment release. It’s 163 minutes and rated PG.

Street Date: October 31st, 2023