PLOT: The world stands on the brink of nuclear catastrophe as Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, and his dedicated team embark on a final, urgent mission to avert disaster. Their struggle is compounded by an ominous artificial intelligence entity known as “The Entity.”
REVIEW: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning aims to bring the beloved franchise to a dramatic close by intricately tying together stories from previous films, seeking to send off Ethan Hunt with a grand finale. Starting right after the events of Dead Reckoning, this installment weaves critical elements from earlier movies, bringing fresh relevance to Hunt’s relentless crusade to protect the world, a mission that may have inadvertently led to the current peril.
This narrative strategy transforms the series into a more mythic saga, depicting Hunt less as the unbeatable spy of yore and more as a burdened hero destined to prevent humanity from self-destruction. His almost prophetic image garners unwavering trust from his allies, emphasizing that he alone holds the key to salvation. While this tonal shift leans heavily into science fiction territory, straying from the franchise’s grounded roots, it still manages to deliver sheer entertainment—though not without drawbacks.
One notable shortcoming is the film’s attempt to establish context through exposition-heavy opening sequences. Even though it has been rebranded from Dead Reckoning Part 2 (with a retrospective title change for the previous entry), it still functions as the continuation of an overarching narrative. The initial thirty minutes are packed with extensive flashbacks that feel cumbersome and can cause viewers to ponder when the action will truly kick in. Clocking in at over 160 minutes, the film occasionally seems weighed down by the sheer quantity of context it tries to convey, clearly indicating that The Final Reckoning is not a stand-alone feature.
The melodrama is palpable throughout, with a score by Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey infusing the film with an emotional intensity that sometimes overshadows the narrative. Extended shots of characters exchanging silent glances accompanied by an overdramatic soundtrack reveal some shortcomings in the creative decisions made by director Christopher McQuarrie and the producer/star Tom Cruise. Their ambition to elevate the piece occasionally leads to a self-seriousness that detracts from the playful spirit that has characterized the franchise.
Nevertheless, The Final Reckoning is not without its exhilarating moments, solidifying its position as a must-see for action lovers. While its melodramatic aspects may falter, the film shines in its realistic execution. Despite the underlying science fiction elements, impressive practical effects and real locations take precedence over CGI. The visual aesthetics are striking, particularly during underwater sequences as Hunt dives into the depths to recover essential technology from the sunken Russian submarine, Sevastopol. The cinematography during these moments is breathtaking, illustrating not only Hunt’s physical prowess but also showcasing Cruise’s remarkable presence.
The film reaches stunning heights with some of the most extraordinary stunts ever captured on screen. Cruise’s encounters with Esai Morales’s Gabriel, particularly as they navigate treacherous winds at 140 miles per hour in aircraft, stand out as one of the most memorable action sequences in recent cinema. The knowledge that Cruise undertook these perilous stunts himself enhances the thrill, adding to the series’ reputation for its adrenaline-pumping moments.
The supporting cast also receives substantial attention, with character development taking center stage. Simon Pegg’s Benji evolves from a source of humor to a leader in his own right, while Pom Klementieff’s Paris transitions from foe to invaluable ally, supported by Greg Tarzan Davis’s Degas. Hayley Atwell returns as Grace, though the absence of Rebecca Ferguson’s Isla Faust—who met her end in the previous film—is palpable. Ving Rhames’s Luther enjoys a more prominent role this time around, alongside several familiar faces returning from past installments.
However, it is undeniable that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at times feels overloaded. Much of the runtime is given over to McQuarrie’s take on the classic film Fail Safe, wherein President Angela Bassett grapples with the implications of a nuclear strike. Despite occasional uneven moments, the film mainly succeeds in its ambitious execution. Splitting the Dead Reckoning narrative into two nearly three-hour installments may not have been the wisest choice, but the intrigue of the series still holds strong. If this genuinely marks the conclusion of the IMF saga, it’s evident that Cruise has invested considerable passion into this franchise, wrapping it up with a satisfying arc. Although it may not quite reach the heights of its predecessors, it’s only because the expectations have been set so astonishingly high.
