Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: A Narrative Game Changer
Since the premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, our perception of Ethan Hunt, played by the ever-charming and resilient Tom Cruise, has been significantly transformed.
This seventh installment in the blockbuster franchise has not only enjoyed box office success and critical acclaim but has also taken audiences on an intensely personal journey, revealing key aspects of Hunt’s past and his entry into the Impossible Missions Force (IMF).
Known for its high-octane action sequences, the Mission: Impossible series originally had little emphasis on character development.
The first film, directed by Brian De Palma, was celebrated for its adrenaline-pumping spy narrative and exceptional filmmaking. As the franchise evolved, however, the focus gradually shifted toward the characters and their relationships, with Ethan’s IMF companions becoming recurring faces.
Dead Reckoning has become a turning point, providing a window into Ethan Hunt’s background and the bonds that keep the IMF together. But who exactly is Ethan Hunt, and how did he become the IMF agent we know today?
Piecing Together Ethan Hunt’s Past
Before Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning was released, little was known about Ethan Hunt’s life pre-IMF. Hints about his background were scattered across DVD extras and a character file displayed in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. A novelization of the 1996 film even delved a bit into his story.
According to these puzzle pieces, Ethan Hunt was born to parents Margaret and Nathan Hunt on August 18, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. His backstory includes service in the US Army and education at the University of Pennsylvania, studying Engineering and International Relations.
It’s also indicated that a confident Colonel Briggs, a character borrowed from the original TV series, was responsible for Ethan’s entry into IMF. However, Dead Reckoning presents a different narrative.
The Catalyst for Ethan Hunt’s Journey
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One introduces us to two pivotal figures from Ethan Hunt’s past: Gabriel and Marie. Amid flashbacks and critical dialogues, it’s inferred that a traumatic event involving these characters determined Ethan’s path.
As it’s unveiled, Gabriel was responsible for Marie’s death, a pivotal event that caused a significant shift in Ethan’s life trajectory. Following this incident, Ethan was offered a choice by Eugene Kittridge: imprisonment or life as a spy. Furthermore, the film implies that Ethan might have been a skilled criminal before his stint with the IMF.
While Ethan’s military background could explain his deep commitment to duty, the revelation of his potential criminal past creates an intriguing layer to his character. The incident with Marie could have led him on a path of redemption, shaping him into the hero he is today.
The Mystery of Marie
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One provides limited details about Marie, leaving audiences speculating about her role in Ethan’s life. She could have been a love interest, a possibility further complicated by Ethan’s past relationships and the questions raised about his current standing with Ilsa.
Christopher McQuarrie, the director, offered some insights into Hunt’s romantic liaisons: “What we’ve really baked into the narrative is that the closer someone gets to him, the more dangerous it is. I was never really interested in creating a typical love interest for Ethan.”
If Marie indeed had a romantic connection with Ethan, her death and Ethan’s failed relationship with Julia could have led him to avoid romantic entanglements altogether.
Decoding Ethan Hunt’s Initiation into the IMF
The recent film indicates that the incident involving Gabriel and Marie occurred 30 years prior, which places it in 1993 if we go by real-time chronology. The 1996 mission, as portrayed in the first Mission: Impossible film, supposedly takes place shortly after Ethan’s initiation into the IMF.
Given that Mission: Impossible III suggests a training process for joining this elite spy organization, it’s plausible that Ethan underwent several years of training before undertaking his first mission. This training period might also bridge the gap before Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, providing time for Grace, the newest IMF recruit, to prepare for her forthcoming assignment.
No matter the timeline, one thing is undeniable: Ethan Hunt is a seasoned veteran of the IMF. His journey, from a possible criminal past to a hero tirelessly saving the world, is extraordinary. We look forward to learning more about this enigmatic character in the forthcoming installment of this thrilling franchise.
Source: ScreenRant
