Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a thrilling, massive and flawed finale

As a devotee of the Mission: Impossible series, I often find myself immersed in their exhilarating escapades. It gives me an intriguing glimpse into the world of creating a Mission: Impossible film. There’s always a strategy at play, yet it seems that plan is never set in stone.

In May 2023, while working on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, director Christopher McQuarrie stated that this method had its successes – like with Mission: Impossible – Fallout – but at times, the flaws could be noticeable, such as in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.

There was a possibility that the freshly named movie, initially called “Dead Reckoning Part Two“, might later enhance the joined-together feel of its predecessor. However, instead, “The Final Reckoning” amplifies this issue by weaving a complex plotline that not only wraps up “Dead Reckoning” but also endeavors to connect the entire series.

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However, the Mission: Impossible series has consistently relied on a lesser-known strength: Tom Cruise and his penchant for performing daring stunts that keep us on the edge of our seats. What sets The Final Reckoning apart from Dead Reckoning is its stunning action sequences, many of which have been kept hidden in promotional materials.

It’s likely you’re aware that the submarine Sevastopol has a mystery aboard it, and this storyline also includes biplanes. Unlike Dead Reckoning’s famous motorbike and parachute scene, which was widely publicized, the intriguing plot twists in this case are meant for your viewing pleasure on the big screen – and they rank among the series’ most captivating moments.

It remains a subjective decision if the elements in the movie “The Final Reckoning” are sufficient to overcome its complex plot and slow pacing, which can be predictable at times. However, it is undeniable that Tom Cruise consistently delivers an action-packed experience that justifies your investment.

It turns out that reaching the promised bang requires quite a bit of time and navigational skill. The intriguing item hinted at in “Dead Reckoning,” the key to block the Entity, is hidden away on the Sevastopol, and getting there involves some tricky maneuvering.

Much about the storyline of “The Final Reckoning” remains undisclosed, and we won’t be delving into it here. This film builds upon the events of “Dead Reckoning” and connects to multiple “Mission: Impossible” movies. The narrative isn’t confusing, but it does feature several flashback sequences to help remind viewers of relevant details that fill out the initial part of the movie.

Initially, the unyielding pace characteristic of most Mission: Impossible films seems absent in The Final Reckoning. However, once everything falls into place, the movie hardly catches its breath until an exhilarating climax featuring a traditional Mission: Impossible countdown arrives.

The necessity of numerous links and callbacks is debatable. Some long-standing mysteries are answered, but other significant storylines and characters from the series are left unaddressed or overlooked entirely. However, it’s one element that gives The Final Reckoning a sense of wrapping up the series so far, although the possibility for future developments remains open, albeit incomplete.

In the sequel, Rolf Saxon reappears, this time as William Donloe – the CIA analyst who was wronged by Ethan in the initial film. This recurring character is a clever choice and provides a surprising depth to his role. Alongside Lucy Tulugarjuk, who portrays Donloe’s wife Tapeesa, they become the standout performers of the movie.

The engaging humor found in “The Final Reckoning” keeps it from getting bogged down by its complex narrative. Despite the gravity of the situation, where failure for Ethan and his IMF team would be disastrous, the film still manages to maintain a light-hearted tone throughout.

As the series progresses, it seems to embrace its own absurdity even more, and “The Final Reckoning” might be the epitome of this trend. A witty scene includes characters expressing disbelief at Ethan’s past accomplishments, while traditional Mission: Impossible elements like severing a vital wire are playfully ridiculed.

Despite its two main scenes piling challenge upon challenge onto Ethan in a manner reminiscent of the familiar “here we go again” sentiment during General Elections, Mission: Impossible frequently defies logic. Yet, Ethan’s survival against all odds is what makes this series so delightful.

Similar to Dead Reckoning, The Final Reckoning leaves viewers feeling disappointed because it has the potential to blend storyline and visual appeal more effectively, as seen in Fallout. Fundamentally, the combined narrative of both Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning boils down to ‘obtain a key, use a key’, which is repeated over a prolonged duration of approximately five-and-a-half hours.

When Ethan finds himself in perilous situations such as being crushed by a relentless wave inside a spinning submarine or racing against time to retrieve something crucial while a timer ticks down, you might lose interest in the intricate storylines that led him there. Instead, it becomes an immersive cinematic experience, particularly captivating if you’re fortunate enough to view it on a grand IMAX screen.

Title Suggestion: “Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand” may not provide a flawless farewell for Ethan Hunt, yet if this is indeed his last mission, he can confidently say that he will not be left with any remorse over failing to meet audience expectations.

As a hardcore gamer, I can’t wait to dive into the action-packed world of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”! In the UK, it drops on the big screen starting from 21st May, and for my fellow US gamers, we get to experience it three days later, on 23rd May. Can’t wait to join Ethan Hunt and his team on this thrilling adventure!

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2025-05-14 23:19