Tom Cruise Takes on the World in ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’: Action Over Clichés!

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Viewers won’t need to wait until July to witness Superman at work. The eighth portrayal of Ethan Hunt by Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” lends the timeless secret agent an indestructible appearance through jaw-dropping action sequences and grandiose set pieces that obliterate any semblance of disbelief. His past exploits seem trivial when compared to this nearly three-hour spectacle of franchise recapitulation, which borders on comical due to its relentless barrage of death-defying escapes. At some point, the gravity wanes, but the scale of the production cannot be ignored – it checks all the boxes for a summer blockbuster.

In the aftermath of the events from “Dead Reckoning Part One,” Ethan receives a plea from President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett). A dangerous AI, similar to Skynet from Terminator, named The Entity is close to causing a nuclear catastrophe and threatening human survival. Ethan possesses the “cruciform key” that can retrieve the original source code of The Entity, but he must journey deep into the ocean to find it. Will Ethan be able to save the world… once more?

The Invincible Tom Cruise

In three days’ time, Ethan will be on a mission: locate the submerged vessel, retrieve crucial data, and neutralize the Entity, all while being chased by adversaries. Sloane is holed up in an underground hideout with her team, having only 72 hours before the Entity attacks. The Entity has managed to infiltrate various world governments through its numerous followers, and Ethan’s longtime foe, Gabriel (Esai Morales), also has his own objectives. Despite the seemingly impossible odds against him, Ethan can count on the support of his loyal IMF team and some unexpected allies to give him an edge in this high-stakes battle.

In the film “The Final Reckoning”, director and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie (known for “Valkyrie”, “Jack Reacher” and “Edge of Tomorrow”) goes all out in every aspect, making it even grander and daring. This is his fourth “Mission Impossible” film and tenth project with Tom Cruise, and it looks stunningly impressive. However, the constant need to surpass past achievements has its pros and cons. The intricate planning, exceptional set design, and technical skill needed for the mind-blowing stunts and action sequences are truly remarkable. Yet, the movie’s fast-paced nature loses some suspense as it’s always clear that Ethan will not only make it through but emerge victorious at the last possible moment. This pattern becomes predictable, as “The Final Reckoning” has more countdowns than New Year’s Eve celebrations.

In each action sequence, a discussion between Ethan and his team lays out the specifics of the upcoming operation. With unflinching expertise, they carry out what was decided in even the most extraordinary situations. Yet, despite the odds, something always goes awry; however, it’s as if fortune is on their side – the heroes always prevail. McQuarrie acknowledges this predictability and gently mocks the plot through subtle winks. If their plans didn’t succeed, they wouldn’t survive to make the movie. Of course, everything turns out just fine.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that overused tropes run deeper than just relying on ticking timers. They are deeply embedded within each character and their role in the storyline’s development. It seems logical for seasoned characters to disarm any gadget. They are professionals, after all. However, confronting unknown technology in life-threatening situations without any background is quite a stretch, to put it mildly. Picture this: Someone hands you a pair of pliers and places a bomb on your lap. In the movie “The Final Reckoning”, we find a blend of the intricate and the implausible, with mixed success.

Classic Characters Return

Longtime fans will enjoy seeing how McQuarrie weaves in plots from previous movies for what seems to be Ethan Hunt’s final adventure. Characters thought to be dead make a comeback in interesting manners.

For instance, recall the analyst who was sent to Alaska after being exposed to poison during the CIA break-in in the first Mission: Impossible? In this film, Rolf Saxon reappears as William Donloe and gets his chance to be the hero in a compelling subplot that offers a new perspective on his exile and adds a touch of emotion to the movie.

As a film enthusiast, there’s no denying that the main draw to experience “The Final Reckoning” in IMAX is the mind-blowing stunts. Tom Cruise, at 62 years old, continues to astound us with his physical prowess, surpassing even our lofty expectations. From motorcycling off a mountain, hanging from a helicopter, and battling bad guys on a speeding train, we thought we’d seen it all. But Cruise never ceases to surprise us, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, placing him in a league of his own when it comes to sheer badassery. The awe-inspiring finale alone justifies the ticket price and serves as yet another testament to why Tom Cruise is an unstoppable force in Hollywood.

Mission: Impossible – The Last Confrontation

This film is jointly produced by Paramount Pictures, TC Productions, and Skydance. The theatrical release of this production is scheduled for May 23rd by Paramount Pictures.

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2025-05-14 23:02