Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is supposedly Tom Cruise’s final outing in the franchise. I absolutely adore the Mission: Impossible series, and in my opinion, there hasn’t been a truly “awful” entry. Even the second film has its charm, and while the previous installment, Dead Reckoning, had its issues, it was still a fun ride. So, does The Final Reckoning provide a satisfying conclusion to the franchise?
Let’s start with the main reason you watch these movies: the action. The Final Reckoning continues to deliver top-tier action set pieces! The plane scene featured in all the posters and trailers is just as phenomenal as you’d expect. The tension is palpable, and the fact that Tom Cruise performed the stunt for real allows for some breathtaking shots and stunt work. Another standout set piece is the submarine sequence, which is completely different in tone and setting. It’s a 10–15 minute anxiety-inducing sequence where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) navigates a claustrophobic environment, trying not to get drowned or crushed. There’s also a great fight scene involving not just Ethan, but his entire team. What makes it stand out is the editing—the film seamlessly switches between Ethan’s and his team’s fights in different locations, creating a smooth, well-paced sequence.
All the returning actors deliver strong performances. The plot comes with significantly higher stakes, which means fewer jokes, but this allows for more emotionally charged performances. Ving Rhames returns as Luther and delivers the film’s most powerful moment. Pom Klementieff and Greg Tarzan Davis return as Paris and Theo respectively, and their evolving dynamic offers an interesting new perspective on their characters. Angela Bassett also returns as Erika, last seen in Fallout, and though her screen time is limited, she gives a top-tier performance. The plot overall is fine for the most part, and I appreciate that The Final Reckoning ties up a major loose end from one of the earlier films. Bringing back Rolf Saxon from the original Mission: Impossible was a great touch and his role is surprisingly substantial.
However, the film’s first act suffers from poor pacing. Much of it is spent reminding the audience of events from previous installments. While I understand that not everyone may have recently rewatched the series, this constant reminder feels like a needless waste of runtime. It also lacks the kind of exciting stunts that you would usually have in the first act of a Mission Impossible film. At 170 minutes, the movie is far too long, and could have benefited greatly from trimming a lot of scenes. Mission: Impossible plots have always been over-the-top, but usually manage to stay somewhat grounded. The Final Reckoning, however, borders on the nonsensical. The idea that the AI, known as “The Entity” from Dead Reckoning, could impact the entire world is so extreme that it becomes almost laughable. I also wish the film explored more of Ethan’s mysterious past, but unfortunately, that thread remains untouched.
Esai Morales returns as Gabriel, the villain from Dead Reckoning, who was teased as having a deep personal connection with Ethan. If you were hoping that dynamic would be fleshed out, prepare to be disappointed. Gabriel is a weak villain. The film never explains his motivations or his history with Ethan. He simply acts like a cartoonish, moustache-twirling bad guy with no real depth. The film also introduces far too many new characters, which feels like an odd choice for a supposed final chapter. As a result, returning supporting characters like Kittridge (Henry Czerny) and Jasper (Shea Whigham) have significantly less to do than in the previous movie. The ending is also somewhat underwhelming—not the satisfying, climactic conclusion you’d expect from a franchise finale.
Overall, The Final Reckoning is one of my least favourite Mission: Impossible films. The first hour drags it down, and the plot isn’t as engaging as it could have been. That said, it’s still better than most action movies out there. Tom Cruise risking his life to bring us jaw-dropping set pieces is worth the price of admission alone. If this truly is his final time playing Ethan Hunt, there are certainly worse ways to go out.
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