MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
THE FINAL RECKONING

Unlike its predecessors, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” starts in a lower gear. We’ve come to expect a high-octane opening—Tom Cruise dangling from a plane or scaling a cliff, a dramatic mask reveal, or a ticking bomb loaded with plutonium. But this time, instead of spectacle, we get somber imagery, disembodied voices, and grainy footage of Ethan Hunt (Cruise) rejoining his team after the events of “Dead Reckoning.” The first twenty minutes feel more like housekeeping than sparking a match.

But once it gets going, the ride’s as fun as ever. While it likely won’t be the final chapter—Hollywood rarely quits on a billion-dollar franchise—it works as a swan song for several of the beloved characters. Some go out in fiery, well-earned blazes of glory, while others, like Angela Bassett’s Erika Sloane and Shea Whigham’s Jasper, finally get their moments to shine. Even newcomers Katy O’Brian and Tramell Tillman make strong impressions, with Tillman stealing every scene he’s in.

Then there’s a surprise standout: the return of a minor character from the original 1996 film reintroduced in a pivotal role. McQuarrie recontextualizes the character brilliantly, turning what could’ve been a gimmick into an emotional payoff. A quiet apology between this character and Ethan is one of the film’s most powerful moments.

Not all callbacks hit their marks. Linking an existing character to a villain from the original film feels forced, and tying the Entity’s source code to an earlier plot device from a previous entry seems a bit unnecessary. These attempts at retroactive continuity don’t deepen the narrative—they tend to clutter it and feed fodder to the critics that cry, “fan service!”

The political subplot—centered on the American government making war plans from a secure bunker—is where the film really starts to drag. Despite the gravitas brought by Angela Bassett in her new role in the administration, and her standout scenes with Henry Czerny’s returning Kittridge, they draw a sharp contrast to some awkward casting. The dialogue here sometimes tips into parody, undercutting the seriousness of the IMF’s mission. Yes, the idea of Ethan’s narrow margin victories and reliance on luck can feel silly, but when you start having characters in the movie pointing that out, it undermines the entire endeavor. I wonder if you removed this entire subplot, apart from where Ethan is directly involved, would anyone have missed it?

The film also stumbles in its attempt to flesh out Ethan’s past. A vague flashback involving Gabriel (Esai Morales) is meant to explain Ethan’s origin story, but it’s too thin to land. Morales doesn’t command the screen like past villains—especially compared to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s chilling turn in “Mission: Impossible III.” And several threads are left dangling: like a teased doomsday cult and the absence of characters like Vanessa Kirby and Jeremy Renner. I was waiting for a face rip to reveal one of the film’s weaker links to be William Brandt (Renner). If this truly was the end, not bringing them back feels like a missed opportunity.

The movie shines when the team is in focus. Hayley Atwell proves a worthy successor to Rebecca Ferguson, bringing sharp wit and unexpected warmth to her role. Simon Pegg is the film’s engine, keeping the plot chugging along. And Pom Klementieff’s expanded role is a nice inclusion. Her story could have easily ended in “Dead Reckoning,” but she returns with a pretty satisfying arc, even though she’s denied the chance at the revenge that she undoubtedly earned.

On the action front, the film (mostly) delivers. There’s a spur-of-the-moment jump from a military helicopter, a nerve-wracking underwater sequence, and the much-hyped biplane stunt that confirms Tom Cruise’s ongoing commitment to attempting the impossible. Still, even with expertly executed stunts, it sort of lacks the wow factor of earlier entries. But, perhaps that’s a result of the franchise’s own success; once you’ve motorcycled off a cliff in the Alps (“Dead Reckoning”) or had a helicopter chase in the Himalayas (“Fallout”), even the most daring feats start to pale in comparison.

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is a mixed bag, but an entertaining one at least. It’s full of standout performances, sharp writing that brings legacy characters back into the fold, and slick production that helps the nearly three-hour runtime fly by. When it finds its rhythm, it’s easy to remember why this franchise has lasted so long.

For all its flaws, I walked away feeling thankful—thankful for a lead actor willing to put everything into a role, and for a series that has consistently delivered since “Ghost Protocol.” Not every installment has to reinvent the genre. Sometimes, it’s enough to just spend time with familiar faces. “The Final Reckoning” might not be the series’ peak, but it’s an admirable attempt at a conclusion, and reminds us why we keep choosing to accept the missions.

VIEWED ON
Friday, June 6, 2025
Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood