MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING

 

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team race against time to find the Entity, a rogue artificial intelligence that can destroy mankind.

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and action, bloody images, and brief language.

Runtime: 2h 49m

Review:

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is massive in nearly every way imaginable from its pair of massively thrilling action set pieces that have to be seen on the biggest screen possible but the whole thing is nearly bogged down by a lore heavy plot that tries to tie together 30 years of the franchise with a noticeable sense of self reverence.  Christopher McQuarrie directs the film with the kind of capable hand you'd expect from somebody who's been playing in this sort of scale for years.  He excels at the rather insane action sequences which have become the hallmark of the series and again delivers the sort of blockbuster insanity that other films can only aspire to.  The submerged submarine sequence is equal parts The Abyss and Titanic with its rotating kaleidoscope of death that's sure to leave a memorable impression.  The much talked about biplane sequence is visceral on every level thanks in large part to Tom Cruise's willingness to put himself in tangible danger to pull off the stunts.  McQuarrie orchestrates it all with impressive ease that you barely notice that both sequences are nearly dialogue free.  There are more noticeable lulls in between those big moments especially when compared to recent entries thanks to an unnecessarily muddled script.  There are plenty of call backs throughout the film with some feeling more natural and organic than some of the more forced moments.  It’s a shame because as nonsensical as the plot is there a sense that if the story had jettisoned some or all of the nostalgia this would have been a leaner more effective send off.  That's not to say there isn't a lot to enjoy here but it’s just not up to the levels of 2018's Fallout or 2023's Dead Reckoning.  Tom Cruise and McQuarrie might just suffer from setting the bar to high at this point by making it nearly impossible to top themselves.  Cruise and his character are practically indistinguishable by this point in the series which shouldn't be much of a surprise even as he spends more time with smaller supporting players than the returning cast.  Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett and Pom Klementieff all have their moments to shine.  Atwell is earnestly wide eyed throughout while Pegg is given the chance to step up and lead.  Klementieff again makes the most of her screentime leaving her the most memorable supporting character once it’s all said and done.  Esai Morales returns as the main human villain here but much like the last entry there's never a ton of time spent giving him much depth or making him feel like a tangible treat to Cruise's Hunt.  Missteps aside, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a solid send off for the series even if doesn't reach the heights of its best entries.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE

 

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team must track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than the mission -- not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Esai Morales, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny

Release Date: July 12, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some language and suggestive material.

Runtime: 2h 43m

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One delivers another sprawling action epic that shows the series is still firing on all cylinders.  Christopher McQuarrie's film is massive in every sense of the word with another set of incredibly impressive action set pieces from an insane Italy set car chase, my personal favorite of the film, to a thrilling train sequence in the film's latter stages.  Those sequences each deliver a mix of humor and thrills as they unfurl onscreen with each bringing enough variety to keep the whole thing from becoming monotonous.  They are huge sequences but McQuarrie smartly lets them breath and never loses sight of the characters while everything is going on.  Tom Cruise can play Hunt in his sleep by this point but he still carries the film with the steely determination and confidence he's brought to the role since day one. Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg once again join him as members of his team with solid supporting turns that give their interactions ring true as a team that's worked together for years.  Rebecca Ferguson returns as well but isn't given all that much to do as she pops in and out of the story.  Hayley Atwell joins the series as she brings her playful but self assured energy to her role which works really well for her role. Atwell and Cruise share fun chemistry together especially during the car chase sequence but the romantic angle feels a tad forced as the film rolls on.  Esai Morales and Pom Klementieff serve as the primary antagonist for this entry.  Morales is solid but his character never feels as dangerous or intimidating as he should be.  Pom Klementieff on the other hand does a lot with screen time as a mysterious female assassin who would have benefited from a bit more fleshing out.  Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davis have a running sublot as a pair of agents chasing down Ethan for The Community who have some fun moments but we never get any explanations for Whigham's laser focus on Hunt.  The overall plot is surprisingly timely especially considering it was written a few years back which works in the film's favor.  While it works as a singular entry there's plenty of unresolved threads left for the second film by the time this one wraps up. On its own, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One delivers nearly all the goods for a big screen blockbuster adventure with huge action and character moments which makes the film a breezy experience, a testament to the overall  quality of the film since its nearly three hours long.  

A-