The Final Reckoning: A Thrilling Yet Flawed Finale

The End of an Era?

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the eighth film in the series, fans are promised a grand conclusion to Ethan Hunt’s saga or at least that’s what the title suggests. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Cruise alongside familiar faces like Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, this movie aims to wrap up a story that began in 1996. But does it deliver the epic send-off the franchise deserves or does it stumble under the weight of its own ambitions? In this 2000-word review we’ll dive into the film’s strengths, weaknesses and everything in between using simple language to make it easy for everyone to follow.

Plot: A Race Against an AI Apocalypse

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning picks up where 2023’s Dead Reckoning Part One left off. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his Impossible Mission Force (IMF) team are still battling the Entity a rogue artificial intelligence that’s taken over the world’s technology and is now threatening to trigger a nuclear war. The stakes couldn’t be higher: if Ethan doesn’t stop the Entity humanity faces extinction. To defeat it he needs to find a device called the Podkova which holds the Entity’s source code. This device is trapped in a sunken Russian submarine, setting the stage for one of the film’s most intense sequences.

The story follows Ethan and his team Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg) and Grace (Hayley Atwell) as they race against time, dodging enemies like Gabriel (Esai Morales) a villain working with the Entity, and navigating a world where governments are collapsing and trust is hard to come by. The U.S. led by President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett) wants to control the Entity’s power while Ethan believes it must be destroyed. Along the way the film throws in flashbacks to earlier Mission: Impossible movies tying the franchise together with callbacks to the 1996 original and 2006’s Mission: Impossible III.

The plot is straightforward at its core: Ethan must save the world. But the movie often feels overly complicated with long scenes of characters explaining the Entity’s plans or debating what to do next. These moments can drag especially in the first hour which feels like a recap of the entire franchise. For fans these nods to the past are nostalgic but for newcomers, they might be confusing. The story also tries to be emotional focusing on Ethan’s relationships with his team and his past choices but it doesn’t always hit the mark, leaving some scenes feeling heavy handed.

Action: Stunts That Steal the Show

If there’s one thing Mission: Impossible is known for it’s jaw-dropping action, and The Final Reckoning doesn’t disappoint here. The film features two major set pieces that rank among the best in the series. The first is a nerve wracking sequence where Ethan dives into a sunken submarine to retrieve the Podkova. The underwater setting is spooky with tight spaces and the constant threat of the sub collapsing. Cruise’s real-life stunt work holding his breath for minutes while navigating the wreck makes it feel raw and intense. The second standout is a climactic biplane chase over South Africa where Ethan climbs across an upside-down plane in mid-air. It’s the kind of scene that makes you grip your seat and wonder How did they film this?

These moments showcase why Mission: Impossible remains a benchmark for action films. Cruise now in his 60s performs stunts that defy belief from hanging off planes to fighting in tight spaces. The choreography is sharp, and the cinematography makes every punch and explosion feel larger than life. However, the film is surprisingly light on action for its nearly three-hour runtime. The first half focuses heavily on plot and flashbacks, with only a few smaller fight scenes to keep things moving. This pacing can feel uneven especially for fans expecting non-stop thrills like in Fallout or Rogue Nation.

Characters: A Mixed Bag of Old and New

Ethan Hunt remains the heart of the franchise and Cruise delivers a performance that’s equal parts intense and heartfelt. He plays Ethan as a man burdened by his choices determined to save the world even if it costs him everything. The film tries to make Ethan more human, showing flashbacks of his early days and hinting at regrets but these moments sometimes feel forced, as if the movie is trying too hard to make us care.

The supporting cast is a highlight though not every character gets enough time to shine. Hayley Atwell’s Grace introduced in Dead Reckoning brings charm and chemistry with Cruise. Their scenes together have a playful energy though the film stops short of a full romance. Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are reliable as Luther and Benji providing emotional grounding and a bit of humor, though the movie’s serious tone cuts back on their usual banter. Pom Klementieff’s Paris is a standout, stealing scenes with her fierce energy and fans will wish she had a bigger role.

On the downside, the villain Gabriel, feels underdeveloped. Esai Morales does his best, but Gabriel lacks the menace of past antagonists like Solomon Lane from Rogue Nation. The Entity itself is a bigger threat, but as an AI, it’s hard to make it feel personal or scary. The film’s attempt to portray it as an “anti-god” or “truth-eating parasite” comes off as overly dramatic and vague. New characters like Captain Bledsoe (Tramell Tillman) add some flair, but others, like returning faces from past films feel like fan service that doesn’t add much to the story.

Tone: Too Serious for Its Own Good

One of the biggest criticisms of The Final Reckoning is its tone. Previous Mission: Impossible films balanced high stakes with a sense of fun. Rogue Nation had witty banter Fallout had a cheeky charm and even Dead Reckoning mixed humor with its action. But The Final Reckoning is somber, almost to a fault. The film opens with grim warnings about nuclear war and truth vanishing and it rarely lightens up. Scenes of missiles launching and cities burning set a dark mood, but they also make the movie feel like a lecture at times.

This seriousness hurts the film’s pacing. The first hour is bogged down by recaps and heavy dialogue, with characters speaking in cryptic phrases like “The Entity’s reality” or “Our lives are the sum of our choices.” These lines aim for depth but often feel silly, especially when paired with the franchise’s usual over-the-top action. The lack of humor is noticeable Benji’s one-liners are few and far between and the playful energy of past films is largely absent. For a series that once winked at its own absurdity The Final Reckoning takes itself too seriously, which makes its flaws harder to overlook.

Themes: Big Ideas, Mixed Execution

The film tries to tackle big themes like the dangers of AI and the power of human choice. The Entity represents a world where technology controls truth manipulating people and nations. This is a timely idea given real-world concerns about AI and misinformation. Ethan’s mission to destroy the Entity is framed as a fight for free will with the film repeating the idea that “we make our own destiny.” These themes give the movie some weight but they’re handled clumsily. The dialogue is often preachy and the Entity’s motives are unclear making it hard to feel invested in the threat.

The film also explores Ethan’s personal journey showing how his choices have shaped his life and the world. Flashbacks to earlier missions tie the franchise together suggesting that everything has led to this moment. For longtime fans, these callbacks are rewarding like seeing minor characters from the 1996 film return. But the constant montages and references can feel self-indulgent as if the movie is more interested in celebrating itself than telling a fresh story.

Direction and Technical Aspects: A Visual Spectacle

Christopher McQuarrie who has directed the last four Mission: Impossible films, brings his usual polish to The Final Reckoning. The action scenes are expertly crafted with creative camera work that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the chaos. The submarine sequence in particular uses sound and visuals to create a claustrophobic almost horror-like atmosphere. The biplane chase is a visual feast shot with vibrant colors and dizzying angles.

The film’s score by Lorne Balfe replaces the classic Lalo Schifrin theme with darker orchestral tones that match the movie’s mood but lack the iconic energy of past entries. Cinematography is another strength with stunning locations like London, Norway and South Africa adding a global feel. However, the film’s nearly three hour length feels bloated and tighter editing could have trimmed some of the slower scenes without losing impact

Reception: A Divided Response

Critics and audiences have mixed feelings about The Final Reckoning. Some praise its ambition and stunts calling it a “pulse-pounding triumph” and a “love letter to the franchise”. Others find it disappointing with reviews describing it as “dull and dysfunctional” or “a crushing disappointment” for fans. On social media, reactions range from awe at the action to frustration with the plot’s complexity and lack of humor. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score reflects this divide with critics noting its “jaw-dropping action” but criticizing its “incomprehensible plot” and “self-seriousness”.

Conclusion: A Flawed but Fitting Farewell

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a movie of highs and lows. Its action sequences are some of the best in the franchise showcasing Tom Cruise’s fearless commitment to entertaining audiences. The submarine dive and biplane chase are worth the price of admission alone and the cast delivers strong performances especially Atwell and Klementieff. But the film’s serious tone, bloated runtime and convoluted plot hold it back from greatness. It lacks the fun and wit of earlier entries and its attempt to tie up 30 years of storytelling feels more exhausting than satisfying.

Is this truly the end for Ethan Hunt? Despite the “Final” in the title, Cruise has hinted at more films and the movie’s open-ended moments suggest the franchise could continue. Whether it’s the finale or not The Final Reckoning is a testament to Cruise’s legacy as an action star and the Mission: Impossible series’ place in cinema history. It’s not the best in the franchise Fallout and Rogue Nation remain the high points but it’s a thrilling if uneven capstone to a remarkable journey.

For fans it’s a must-see in theaters preferably on the biggest screen possible, to fully appreciate the stunts. For newcomers watching Dead Reckoning first will help make sense of the story. Ultimately The Final Reckoning reminds us why we love Mission: Impossible: because even when it falters it dares to do the impossible. And in a world of CGI-heavy blockbusters that’s a mission worth celebrating.