Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the latest and (supposedly) final entry in the long-running espionage film series, with an impressive and lengthy run that spans almost 30 years. Tom Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie and crew are all hoping to go out with a bang!
Before heading into Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, I sat and watched the entire Mission: Impossible franchise to get caught up. I’m ashamed to say that even as a movie buff, I had never seen any of the films previously. I was always more of a Bond guy, watching them with my Dad growing up. So going into this film, I had no nostalgia for the franchise, but I quickly got familiar with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF, and was ready to enjoy this latest entry.
For me the Mission: Impossible series has had some highs and lows. Personally, it all felt a little disjointed as each film changed directors and cast. Once McQuarrie joined Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, the series started to feel more coherent. Which, I feel, strengthened the brand. I’m happy to report that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a real high for the series and can stand among the best in the franchise.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning doesn’t hold back. The film pulls out all the stops to deliver the most epic installment yet, filled with jaw-dropping stunts, intense action, and a darker, more grounded tone that sets it apart from its predecessors. As a Daniel Craig Bond fan I really enjoyed the more dramatic approach this film took. The stakes are high and you truly feel like the weight of the world rests on the shoulders of these agents.
The returning cast from the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning are all excellent; with both Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) getting some of the best moments in this film. Obviously Tom Cruise is on his A-game, with each shootout, punch-up and death-defying stunt looking effortless, even with the injuries he’s had throughout this franchise. Though the film does have quite a few characters central to the main plot, and new ones introduced in this film, it does a decent job of balancing them all, never leaving you questioning why they are there.
My entire audience seemed to really get behind the film which added to my enjoyment. Without spoiling, there is an underwater sequence that is a standout moment — not just in this film but in the entire franchise. It’s a pulse-pounding set piece that perfectly encapsulates the intensity that Mission: Impossible has always excelled at. I could feel the entire cinema was on the edge of their seats.
However, The Final Reckoning is not without its flaws. With a runtime of 169 minutes, it tends to overindulge itself. While the stunts are undeniably spectacular, some sequences overstay their welcome, stretching tension to the point of fatigue. Furthermore, the plot is a tangled web of techno-jargon and convoluted plans, leading to excessive exposition that bogged down the pacing. Too many scenes felt like characters standing around explaining what just happened or what’s about to happen, which detracted from the overall momentum.
Despite these shortcomings, the film still manages to capture the essence of what makes the series so compelling — the adrenaline-fueled action, Tom Cruise’s unrelenting commitment to doing his own stunts, and a sense of spectacle that few modern blockbusters can match. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Fallout or Mission: Impossible 3, for me, it comfortably secures a spot as one of the best entries in the franchise.
If this truly is the final Mission: Impossible film, it’s a fitting send-off – epic, loud, and heart-pounding. A flawed but undeniably thrilling swan song for Ethan Hunt and his IMF team. This review will self-destruct in five seconds…
Rating 8/10
