‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ is, as the name suggests, a finale to the franchise. While it doesn’t quite reach the highs of numbers 4, 5 and 6, it delivers a satisfying ending that’s emotional, nail-biting, and successfully tense. This film is definitely weaker than some previous entries, but if this is considered a “weak” entry, that says a lot about the overall quality of the franchise. This is the second part of a story that began in 2023, centred around a new cyber enemy called ‘The Entity’, an AI hell-bent on destroying humanity. Unlike the franchise’s usual huge opening set pieces, this film starts with a small shootout, followed by a series of political conversations between the President and Ethan Hunt. There’s a lot of back-and-forth as Hunt tries to gain permission to embark on a treacherous mission. I’ve read a lot of reviews complaining about this slower start, but I didn’t find it too bad. Just a different direction. It might have overstayed its welcome a bit, but I feel it was necessary to highlight the moral issues involved in trying to destroy the AI.
The dialogue wasn’t perfect: it had some fun moments, but also dipped into cliché at times. The main villain apart from the AI is Gabriel, who, in my opinion, had the silliest one-liners in the entire franchise. These last two films have introduced a new IMF (Impossible Mission Force) team, which feels like it’s setting up possible sequels — this time, likely without Mr. Hunt. Ethan, Benji, and Luther all return and are given great endings to their arcs. It definitely feels like the end, though in a weird, corporate "we can make more if we need money" kind of way. The plot feels somewhat like an item-grabbing marathon: the characters have to get one thing, combine it with another, then something else goes missing. It's basically a big treasure hunt. There’s not much deception like in the original or ‘Fallout’, but the simplicity works.
The submarine scene had my heart racing, with excellent editing and sound design. And of course, there's the scene with the biplanes, which has been heavily featured in promotional material. The biplanes do feel a bit silly and while the film gives a reason for their inclusion, it still feels like a stretch. The stunts are bigger and bolder than ever. The filmmakers definitely leaned into this, making the action the main focus rather than a complex plot. The final act was especially tense and exhilarating. As usual, I won’t go into spoilers, but it’s a great conclusion filled with all the classic staples.
The music was a bit basic and unoriginal. It’s not a massive issue, but I do think it could’ve used more of the distinctive Mission: Impossible flavour. This final instalment will keep you on the edge of your seat. It may not be mind-blowingly original, but it’s a classic action movie: a little cliché, sure, but still fun and packed with energy. It delivers an emotionally powerful ending that will satisfy audiences but not be remembered as the best movie in the series. You definitely won't come out of the cinema feeling terrible. It's a great time but isn't a masterpiece.
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