Movies

Every Action Sequence in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, Ranked

BBG News

At last, “Mission: Impossible” has hit the big screen, offering a thrilling climax to Tom Cruise’s extended spy-thriller series. Almost three decades since the 1996 release of the first film, and six decades following the original TV show, the franchise reaches its dramatic end with Ethan Hunt and his IMF team on a mission to annihilate the malevolent Entity forever.

The Final Reckoning truly delivers on its initial promise, offering a plethora of thrilling, high-octane action scenes that will undoubtedly linger in viewers’ minds even after repeated viewings. Ranging from daring submarine escapes to aerial plane combat, The Final Reckoning boasts some of the most exhilarating action sequences across the entire series. However, it’s worth noting that not all sequences are equally impressive.

This Wasn’t a Great Action Sequence to Kick Off a Finale

At the beginning, just before the introduction, Ethan Hunt and his partner Grace get captured by Gabriel, a wicked character along with his followers. Gabriel questions Ethan about the location of a valuable asset that gives him power over an Entity, but Ethan remains tight-lipped. The scene erupts into intense action as Ethan breaks free from his restraints and assaults Gabriel’s men. Grace manages to break free too and joins in the fight until only one henchman is left standing. As the camera focuses on Grace, we see her expression while Ethan fights the remaining henchman off-camera, ultimately defeating him, allowing them both to escape safely.

To put it simply, this early action scene is relatively mild compared to some of the more intense sequences Mission: Impossible has delivered in previous films, like Rogue Nation’s comparable sequence involving Ethan and Ilsa. The final showdown between Ethan and the main henchman leans more towards humor than adrenaline, which fits well within the scene but falls short as a standout action moment. However, I’m glad to say that The Final Reckoning improves significantly on its action sequences from this point forward.

The Fight Choreography Is Great, But This Isn’t the Film’s Best Sequence

In the movie’s initial scenes, I, along with Ethan Hunt and his squad, enlist the aid of a former antagonist’s lieutenant, known as Paris, who was apprehended by the authorities following the events of Dead Reckoning. Having endured a stab wound from Gabriel in our previous confrontation, Paris was being escorted to a high-security facility when Ethan and Benji managed to breach the prison. Masquerading as guards, we, the IMF agents, overpowered Agents Briggs and Degas, thereby liberating Paris.

In The Final Reckoning, the action sequence involving Degas and Briggs is surprisingly short, as they succumb quickly. While these American agents present some resistance to Ethan and Benji, it doesn’t take long for them to face difficulties. Despite this, the scene offers Pom Klementieff an opportunity to display her action skills, executing several impressive maneuvers in her attempt to escape. Notably, this is the only instance where the famous Mission: Impossible masks are utilized in The Final Reckoning.

Ethan Hunt’s Team Takes on a Group of Russian Soldiers in the Arctic

In the second act of “The Final Reckoning”, they journey to St. Matthew’s Island in the Bering Sea. Upon arrival, they meet CIA agent William Donloe (previously seen in 1996’s “Mission: Impossible”) and his wife Tapeesa. Regrettably, a band of Russian agents arrive before them at the Donloe homestead, taking both families hostage. When Grace and Tapeesa take down one of the guards, Paris, Degas, Donloe, and Benji spring into action, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Russians and setting their home ablaze. Simultaneously, Ethan is ambushed by a follower of the Entity on a submarine.

The fight at Donloe Homestead is among the most intense action scenes in the movie. Ethan’s combat, in particular, is quite brutal as he wrestles with his adversary on the ground, even forcing the man’s face onto a moving conveyor belt. On the other hand, Paris shines once more in the action department for the St. Matthew’s Island team. She and Degas absorb most of the violence, ultimately overpowering the Russians and fleeing into the harsh Arctic climate. Although this scene displays some remarkable staging, it doesn’t quite match up to the later action sequences featured in the film.

An Extended Submarine Sequence Is a Massive Highlight of The Final Reckoning

As a dedicated cinephile, I found myself gripped by the pulse-pounding second act of “The Final Reckoning.” In this nail-biting scene, Ethan Hunt embarks on a perilous underwater mission to penetrate the submerged Russian submarine, the ominous Svestapol. His objective: retrieving the original source code for the Entity.

Navigating through the maze of its turbulent and confined spaces, I held my breath as Ethan inched closer to the Entity’s chamber. The tension escalated when the submarine began to tumble across the ocean floor, flipping end over end before teetering precariously on the edge of a continental divide. With mere seconds to spare, Ethan narrowly dodged the plummet, abandoned his diving suit, and launched into a desperate swim towards the surface, hundreds of feet above him. This breathtaking sequence left me on the edge of my seat!

In this movie, I found myself immersed in a breathtaking, dialogue-free sequence lasting almost twenty minutes. As Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, navigated the confined spaces of a submarine, I was left to marvel at his determination and the stunning Svestapol set design that created an intensely claustrophobic 360-degree environment. The tension escalated as the submarine repeatedly flipped, forcing Ethan to adapt and find innovative ways to progress through each compartment.

The pressure mounted minute by minute during this sequence, with Ethan’s desperation growing as he remained submerged for an extended period. He eventually discarded his gear until nothing shielded him from the freezing waters, surviving only due to Grace’s timely assistance. This unforgettable action set piece is undeniably one of the greatest in cinematic history and solidifies the Mission: Impossible franchise as a legendary action series.

The Final Reckoning Delivers an Epic Climax That Tops Everything Else in the Film

In the movie’s final act, Ethan Hunt and Gabriel engage in their final confrontation. With Gabriel and his accomplice fleeing on two biplanes, Ethan miraculously catches onto one plane’s landing gear and hangs on tight as they soar above South Africa. He then makes an arduous journey to the cockpit, overthrowing the pilot and taking command of the aircraft. A breathtaking aerial battle between Ethan and Gabriel follows, concluding with Ethan bailing out of his plane and jumping onto his adversary’s, ultimately killing him before parachuting away. Meanwhile, Ethan’s team focuses on defusing a nuclear bomb and putting an end to the Entity forever.

The climactic scene in “The Final Reckoning” is heavily emphasized by its thrilling biplane sequence, and it truly delivers on the hype. Tom Cruise, in an astonishing display of daring, performs his own stunts while actually hanging from and piloting the biplane. This scene vividly conveys the peril and grandeur associated with such a feat, leaving viewers gripped throughout every heart-stopping moment. At times, they might even find themselves gaping in amazement as Ethan navigates the skies, performing death-defying stunts on, inside, and beneath the biplane for extended periods before ultimately emerging victorious. This sequence encapsulates everything that fans adore about “Mission: Impossible,” serving as a fitting finale to the franchise after three decades.

Read More

2025-05-24 18:51

Previous post Mattel Match: Toybox Unlocked brings the fun of Barbie, Hot Wheels, and others in a Puzzle experience; Soft launches in select regions
Next post Box Office: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch And Mission: Impossible 8 Team Up To Set Multiple Box Office Records