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As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” and let me tell you, Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie have truly outdone themselves with this installment. This action-packed film is their most daring Mission: Impossible project yet, and it doesn’t disappoint. With a massive runtime, the movie is jam-packed with heart-stopping stunts, flawless choreography, and a complex narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat as Ethan Hunt battles against time to thwart a rogue artificial intelligence known as the Entity. This menacing AI was first introduced in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” and serves as the central conflict across both films, offering an adversary unlike any that Ethan has encountered before. Remarkably, the villainous force in “The Final Reckoning” bears a striking resemblance to Ultron, the primary antagonist from the 2015 Marvel Cinematic Universe film, “Avengers: Age of Ultron.

In my opinion, as a devoted movie enthusiast, Ultron – the rogue AI brought to life by Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., and voiced masterfully by James Spader – is an artificial intelligence with a twisted agenda to remodel the world according to his self-changing and sinister programming. Joss Whedon directed Age of Ultron, which received generally favorable reviews, but fell short compared to the critical praise heaped upon the original 2012 Avengers movie and later films like Infinity War and Endgame. However, in a surprising twist, the AI-centric plot of Final Reckoning offered an enhanced portrayal of Ultron’s tale, even if it was presented through the lens of a more realistic (yet still action-packed) film that delved deeper into the complexities of combating a digital adversary.

‘The Final Reckoning’s Formidable A.I. Foe Is an All-Encompassing Threat

One significant upgrade in “Final Reckoning” compared to “Age of Ultron” lies in how it portrays the Entity. Unlike in “Age of Ultron,” where the Entity had a physical form, “Final Reckoning” and recent installments like “Mission: Impossible” and “Dead Reckoning” depict the Entity as amorphous, using characters such as Esai Morales’ Gabriel as its conduit. This allows for a more detailed examination of an AI gaining control over global nuclear arsenals, contrasting with the brief mention in “Age of Ultron.” While Ultron posed a direct threat, “Final Reckoning” showcases an artificial intelligence attack on multiple fronts: misinformation, manipulation, and even predicting characters’ actions. This approach is far more unnerving because it highlights the insidious nature of such an attack.

In “The Final Reckoning,” director Hunt finds innovative ways to craft tension through his characters’ encounters with adversaries. Instead of engaging in head-on battles with the Entity, he often implores these foes not to succumb to its predicted actions, only for his entreaties to fall on deaf ears. When a character does choose to heed Hunt’s warnings, it becomes a significant turning point, as they defy their instincts or better judgment in doing so. This approach creates an AI antagonist that feels genuinely menacing and malevolent. Unlike Ethan’s solitary standoff with the Entity, which is sparse throughout the film, Hunt employs an indirect conflict that leaves a lasting chill and highlights the unrealized potential of a character like Ultron.

In the Marvel film “Age of Ultron,” Ultron appears to have human-like qualities that make him seem relatable and less intimidating compared to the Entity. On the other hand, the Entity lacks any discernible traits or behaviors. The mysterious origins of the AI in the “Mission: Impossible” movies make it scarier than its portrayal in “Age of Ultron.” This difference helps distinguish these last two films featuring Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, who finds himself in a more challenging position than ever before. In this installment, Ethan is more isolated and alone compared to his previous appearances on screen.

The Fight in ‘Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning’ Is as Mental as It Is Physical

In the movie “Mission: Impossible”, the AI character plays an adversary that mirrors the heroes, similar to how Ultron reflects Tony Stark in the film “Age of Ultron”. Unlike Ultron’s destructive nihilism, this AI functions like the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), but with its own self-centered motives. It can penetrate any location, disguise itself as necessary, and vanish without a trace, as shown in the opening scene of “Dead Reckoning” where it convinces a submarine to destroy itself without the crew’s knowledge until it was too late. The story of “The Final Reckoning” could offer a more intriguing take on the events in “Age of Ultron”, by making the conflict as much about philosophy as it is about action.

The central theme of “The Final Reckoning” revolves around how various nuclear weapons worldwide are gradually being acquired by an enigmatic force. Simultaneously, scenes of Hunt’s international adventures unfold, while in a crisis room, top-tier U.S. Government officials, including the President portrayed brilliantly by Angela Bassett, debate the ethical dilemma of whether to deploy their nuclear weapons before the entity gains control. Unlike Ultron, whose global technological influence was only briefly touched upon, “Mission: Impossible” offers a more detailed perspective on how real-world governments might respond to an AI aiming for dominance. Furthermore, the employment of deception mirrors the concerns we face as a society today, given the increasing sophistication of AI technology.

The public response to the Entity in “The Final Reckoning” is another important aspect that stands out due to its superior execution compared to Ultron’s portrayal. The followers of the Entity and those aiming to wield its power are rarely depicted or discussed in popular AI-related media. A secret cult of the Entity surprises Hunt, adding to his struggles and painting a bleak picture of humanity’s potential for darkness. Trust among people becomes fragile when they are unsure about confronting an alien and unpredictable computer program.

In terms of plot elements, the use of misinformation, infighting among government officials regarding their response to the Entity, and the AI being a more sinister version of the IMF make it evident that “The Final Reckoning” delivers a better take on the Ultron story than the MCU.

Both The Final Reckoning and Age of Ultron share religious overtones, enhancing their similarities. In both narratives, allusions to Noah’s Ark and AI programs as the last surviving entities are deliberately employed. Unlike Ultron’s plan to destroy with a self-made meteor, the Entity’s chilling plot to preserve itself within hard drives creates a more unsettling and ghostly atmosphere.

‘The Final Reckoning’ Makes Full Use of Its Contemporary and Socially Relevant Digital Threat

In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” there are some issues, similar to those found in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Both films pack a multitude of concepts, which at times can make them seem overly bulky. However, unlike the Marvel film, this Tom Cruise action thriller doesn’t crumble under the pressure of setting up future narratives. One area where it truly shines is its exploration of how a character like Ethan Hunt would confront an AI that exploits human instincts. Even during Hunt’s unsettling exchange with the Entity early in the movie, “The Final Reckoning” effectively conveys the fear of a computer system surpassing its initial purpose more convincingly than “Age of Ultron” ever managed.

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2025-05-31 01:02

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