Movies

Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an exhilarating adrenaline rush

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In the case that “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning” serves as the culmination of the series, it has certainly proven itself to be the most pulse-pounding and death-defying installment yet. The two edge-of-your-seat stunts that anchor the film set “Final Reckoning” apart from any other action movie I’ve watched.

As a devoted fan, speaking from personal experience, I can’t help but feel the familiar rush when Tom Cruise, as field agent Ethan Hunt, is once again called into action. This time, it’s an intricate espionage tale that finds him pursuing a rogue AI, “The Entity,” causing havoc across the globe, potentially triggering global nuclear war. The storyline might seem improbable at times, but let me tell you, I couldn’t care less. I didn’t attend an 8:30 a.m. screening at Cannes to watch a factual account of spies; I was there for the thrill, and boy, did it deliver! (I’ve never been much of an early bird, but this was definitely worth sacrificing my sleep for.)

The film makes up for lost time, a point some critics have criticized, but I find myself in the opposite camp. Frankly, it’s been a while since I watched an ‘MI’. In fact, I even missed the last one – the one with that jaw-dropping motorcycle leap over the cliff (that would be ‘Dead Reckoning’, which I’ve now revisited). Some may argue that the frequent flashbacks slowed down the first hour, given the film’s lengthy runtime of almost three hours. However, I found these catch-up scenes quite valuable. It seems likely that others who are new to the franchise might have felt a bit lost. If you’re familiar with ‘Dead Reckoning’, ‘Final Reckoning’ feels very much like a continuation of ‘MI7’. But fear not if you haven’t seen what led up to ‘MI8’; it holds its ground well on its own merits.

In this action-packed sequence lasting an hour, Hunt’s rebellious nature brings about substantial rewards as the excitement unfolds. Cruise’s initial death-defying feat, as portrayed by the filmmakers, takes place at a staggering 300 feet underwater – yes, you heard it right, a submarine drive retrieval!

Director Christopher McQuarrie, affectionately known as “McQ” by Cruise, designed an extraordinary apparatus to execute this never-before-attempted stunt. This device essentially tossed Cruise around while he played the scene blind, with dwindling oxygen levels. The suspense was palpable as I watched, my eyes glued to the screen.

This claustrophobic, terrifying scene tested the limits of the 62-year-old actor, but oh boy, it delivers a thrilling cinematic experience. This exhilarating stunt raises the bar for action movies in its class.

Tom Cruise pushes the limits even further by masterfully executing breathtaking stunt sequences, culminating in an edge-of-your-seat fight scene taking place at an altitude of 30,000 feet aboard an airplane. This exhilarating spectacle harkens back to the daring stunts of early filmmaking pioneers like Buster Keaton. Although it’s possible that his stunt doubles were involved in some scenes, much of it appears to be Cruise himself, grappling with the forces of gravity and wind-tossed winds. I found myself marveling at the audacity of a human being subjecting himself to such physical demands. The sequence serves as a testament to Cruise and McQuarrie’s continuous pursuit of physical boundaries in each film they create together. It stands as a fitting, poetic farewell for their electrifying collaboration within the MI franchise.

McQuarrie earns significant recognition for skillfully arranging these scenes with exceptional precision and relentless determination. Meanwhile, cinematographer Fraser Taggart delivers another visually captivating journey on screen.

I found the two impressive stunts worth sitting through the entire movie. It’s hard to believe that Cruise is willing to perform these daredevil feats, but at the same time, it’s awe-inspiringly courageous. These stunts have become his signature in films, with the actor consistently outdoing himself in increasingly daring fashion with each new release.

Opting against using Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in these films is a kind of stubbornness that I admire, and it’s one of the reasons I appreciate them so much. The tenacity displayed by Ethan Hunt – his refusal to back down even when the odds become ridiculously unfavorable – bears a striking resemblance to Tom Cruise himself.

Over the years, I’ve become increasingly cautious about the excessive use of CGI and the abundance of superhero movies in today’s film industry. However, Final Reckoning stands out as a breath of fresh air, offering a more tangible feel. Kudos to McQuarrie and Cruise for their dedication to creating an authentic experience, one that is performed and executed the old-fashioned way.

To truly appreciate “MI:TFR“, it’s advisable to suspend your disbelief. The plot may seem somewhat far-fetched, not in its entirety but in some minor details. For instance, can a person swim that quickly from a drifting submarine while dealing with “the bends?” Or, how did Grace (Hayley Atwell) manage to pull someone out of the Arctic’s icy water single-handedly? In such cases, I suggest simply sitting back and enjoying the movie!

I carried it out meticulously. Moreover, numerous other films seem unrealistic at best, but MI:8 convincingly argues that Ethan Hunt is arguably the bravest person alive, and Tom Cruise mirrors that bravery with his enthusiasm to deliver an exhilarating cinematic experience. To top it off, the film’s production—thanks to McQ’s skilled direction—polishes the narrative into a gleaming and sincere masterpiece, resulting in an electrifying spectacle.

The stellar ensemble brings this disclosure to life with dedicated, captivating portrayals by Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pam Klementieff, not forgetting Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso, and Tramell Tillman known for his role in Severance. Noteworthy performances include Nick Offerman as General Sidney, who valiantly guards Angela Bassett’s President Sloane. A fight between Hunt and an assassin, witnessed through Grace’s perspective, was a hilarious highlight. Additionally, there’s a subtle reference to the original film’s CIA analyst Rolf Saxon (William Donloe) and a connection to the villain from the first movie, hinted by Shea Whigham’s Briggs. I found these storylines delightful, serving as a heartfelt tribute to fans.

The film I watched was screened at Cannes’ Lumiere Theatre. It’s not advisable to wait for its home release, even on a 70-inch TV. Instead, you should aim to watch it in a cinema, ideally in IMAX format, to truly immerse yourself in the action scenes: the deafening roar of the wind and the shuddering sensation of the aircraft.

Unfortunately, I missed the premiere event that took place the previous night, where an orchestra performed the live MI theme and celebrities walked the red carpet at the Palais. Despite waiting with my press pass for standby tickets, it turned out to be a challenging task as many people had already been there for hours ahead of me, making it almost impossible for me to get in. However, I did manage to experience the electric atmosphere of the premiere, which was quite a spectacle on its own. I’ll share more about that in my festival recap (you can catch glimpses of it on my Instagram).

Additionally, I attended the event where Tom Cruise unexpectedly dropped by McQuarrie’s lecture on the day of the movie premiere.

4.5 out of 5 stars – Cruise and McQuarrie have crafted an exhilarating lesson in action that’s worth catching on the biggest screen available. Movies are all about entertainment, and Mission: Impossible 8 delivers this more effectively than any film I’ve recently watched.

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2025-05-27 15:15

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