Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Review: Tom Cruise’s Fun But Flawed Finale

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For almost three decades, Tom Cruise has thrilled us with his portrayal of Ethan Hunt on screen, executing one perilous stunt following another for our enjoyment. In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, it’s suggested that this could be the final mission for Ethan Hunt. This film serves as Tom Cruise’s grand farewell as the renowned IMF agent, bringing him back together with veteran collaborator Christopher McQuarrie for a battle against time to combat the Entity – a malevolent artificial intelligence capable of annihilating humanity. This action-packed blockbuster may not reach the pinnacle set by many of its predecessors, but it does deliver an enthralling and visually stunning conclusion that leaves fans satisfied with this series’ ending.

In this long-running action spy series, the eighth installment, titled “The Final Reckoning,” seems to be concluding a legacy spanning several decades. A signature scene reminiscent of the Mission: Impossible briefings presents a montage summarizing key moments from the previous seven films. Ironically, this could be considered one of the film’s most striking weaknesses. The heavy use of archival footage and flashbacks to past events often disrupts the flow of the movie, making it feel like it’s frequently being interrupted by references to earlier movies. Just as Spectre aimed to connect storylines from multiple previous Bond films, this movie tries something similar, which slightly strains believability.

One of the appealing aspects of early Mission movies is that each one had its unique director, giving them a distinctive flavor. From Brian De Palma’s intense suspense to John Woo’s slow-motion action scenes filled with flying pigeons, JJ Abrams’ rapid pace, and Brad Bird’s visual spectacle, this franchise has always managed to stay innovative. However, since 2008’s Valkyrie, Cruise and McQuarrie have been a strong duo, so it’s not surprising that he took on the directorial duties for the last four Missions. To acknowledge his contributions appropriately, he has never repeated himself. Rogue Nation, Fallout, and Dead Reckoning all exhibit different styles, and at times, The Final Reckoning is directed as a documentary might be.

Initially, this film takes you by surprise, plunging you into a more somber, suspenseful world than anticipated. While many Mission films are light-hearted, this one is entertaining yet carries an initial tone similar to a gritty sci-fi crime drama for about 45 minutes. It offers a distinctive take on the Mission: Impossible franchise, setting up an intriguing finale for the series. Despite its many engaging moments and unexpected humor, it delves too deeply into exposition at times, often recalling past films and providing excessive information about the Entity.

Although The Final Reckoning may not match the polish of other Mission films, it certainly delivers on the action and suspense that the franchise is known for. In fact, the tension in this film reaches unprecedented heights, making it feel like a high-stakes battle against an unstoppable force akin to Ethan Hunt trying to stop Skynet from causing Judgment Day in a Terminator movie.

There’s an abundance of excitement because Ethan might be facing his toughest challenge yet. Unlike previous missions that were feasible, this one seems genuinely risky for our characters. The second act takes us underwater, where Cruise and McQuarrie seem to have stepped up their game compared to the sequence in Rogue Nation. This new scene is thrilling, even competing with James Cameron’s work on The Abyss, albeit slightly prolonged, much like certain parts of this film. It’s less action-packed and slower than anticipated during the initial stages, but it never fails to keep you hooked without a single moment of boredom.

The intriguing concept in The Final Reckoning is that the main antagonist isn’t Gabriel (Esai Morales); instead, it’s the Entity. Gabriel appears more like a sidekick for the malicious AI, and at times, this part of the film can feel underdeveloped or less impactful compared to other Mission villains such as Owen Davian and Solomon Lane. Regrettably, Morales’s portrayal of Gabriel does not reach the same level of excellence as these past characters. The movie also hints at a history between Ethan and Gabriel dating back decades, but The Final Reckoning fails to delve further into their past or provide answers. Furthermore, Gabriel’s dialogue contains overused villain tropes, and he frequently laughs maniacally throughout the film like an exaggerated villain.

What do you think about the ending? The climax in Mission: Impossible – Fallout offers an unforgettable moment for the series. It’s packed with thrilling action, including Tom Cruise clinging onto a spinning biplane, which seems like an attempt to endanger him. This sequence is one of the most exciting action scenes ever filmed, but structurally, the ending seems quite similar to that in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. For me, Fallout is the best installment in the franchise, and it appears as though this movie reuses certain elements a bit too much from that film.

The Mission: Impossible series consistently pushes the limits of what an action movie can achieve. While The Final Reckoning might not reach the heights of its predecessors, it showcases superior filmmaking compared to most action movies out there. Granted, the movie may seem overloaded with characters and plot points, some of which don’t deliver as strongly as expected, but watching a team collaborate to save the world never fails to entertain. Hayley Atwell demonstrates an impressive fit in this franchise, joining a roster of unforgettable characters that occasionally leaves us yearning for past favorites.

The last installment of the Mission: Impossible series, titled “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” takes things to a larger and more intense level than ever before. It delivers the thrilling action you’d expect from this franchise, although it might be more divisive among fans compared to other Missions. However, Tom Cruise manages to steer this film expertly, making it even better.

SCORE: 7/10

According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 7 means “Good.” This implies a satisfying and enjoyable piece of entertainment that many people would find worth watching, although its appeal might not be universal.

Note: Our review of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was based on a press screening we attended.

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2025-05-14 23:11