For nearly 30 years, Ethan Hunt has thrilled cinephiles with an array of incredible missions and adventures designed to be experienced on the big screen. What started as a Brian De Palma adaptation of the 1966 television series produced by Desilu Productions, has transformed into one of cinema’s greatest box office draws. As the Summer Blockbuster season arrives, there’s no better welcome to the dog days of summer than what could possibly be the final entry in the franchise.
Two years after the release of Dead Reckoning, The Final Reckoning arrives with a Cannes Film Festival premiere and an anticipation that rivals the biggest Marvel and DC tentpoles. Positioned to be the first huge box office hit of the Summer Blockbuster season, the final entry asks a familiar question, what risks will Tom Cruise take to entertain cinephiles across the globe? The Final Reckoning answers that question and leaves little doubt to Cruise’s commitment and dedication to cinema.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a globe-trotting and pulse-pounding triumph. Cementing its place as one of cinema’s most consistent franchises, the film’s breathtaking scale, death defying stunts and Tom Cruise’s dedication to grand storytelling make for a blockbuster masterclass.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning picks up two months after the events of Dead Reckoning. With the Entity and Gabriel still on the loose, Ethan Hunt is on a relentless mission to stop Gabriel from seizing full control and bring an end to the Entity’s escalating global takeover.
Written by Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, The Final Reckoning’s screenplay is a mixed bag, weighed down by the duo’s ambition to interconnect 30 years’ worth of storytelling. At times, the film leans into “Stretch Armstrong” levels of revelations and exposition, and its emotional moments often ring hollow due to the screenplay’s unevenness. That’s not to say the emotion is completely weightless, as moments with Ethan, Luther and Benji stand out, but the true strength of The Final Reckoning lies in its grand scope and the performances that carry it.
As with every entry in the franchise, the heart and soul of The Final Reckoning is Tom Cruise’s unwavering physical and emotional commitment. Cruise delivers a captivating performance that is nuanced, grounded, and reflective of 30 years of missions, personal sacrifice and loss. Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg remain the unsung heroes of the series, with their banter and camaraderie alongside Cruise providing some of the film’s most heartfelt moments. Their dynamic remains strong as ever, offering a reminder as to why this trio is one of the action genre’s most enduring and beloved.
Hayley Atwell adds fresh energy to the team, continuing the compelling dynamic first introduced in Dead Reckoning. Meanwhile Esai Morales elevates the film’s antagonist stakes with his menacing turn as Gabriel offering Ethan a suitable nemesis and threat as he faces off against Gabriel and the Entity. While small, Hannah Waddingham and Tramell Tillman seamlessly integrate into the film with strong and important moments.
Tom Cruise has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of action within the franchise, and The Final Reckoning is his grand finale. The film features two jaw-dropping and exhilarating set pieces that rank among the best in the series, each showcasing Cruise’s commitment to the series’ vision and scope. The first is an underwater submarine sequence, evoking the claustrophobia and tension of James Cameron’s The Abyss, delivering impeccable craftsmanship. The second, a third-act aerial dogfight, is a display of masterful precision and intensity, a reminder that Mission: Impossible’s ability to outdo itself with each entry is a defining hallmark of its legacy.
Ultimately, The Final Reckoning isn’t The Return of the King, but it’s an adrenaline-fueled love letter to the Mission:Impossible fans. An extravaganza that showcases the importance of the theatrical experience. This message will self-destruct, but Mission:Impossible’s legacy won’t.
