The Final Act Saves the Disappointing New 'Mission: Impossible'

With Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning now available on Paramount+, viewers have the chance to revisit the franchises latest chapter. Unlike many modern blockbusters, this installment does not feature any post-credits scenes. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has conditioned audiences to expect these teasers, Mission: Impossible continues to treat each film as a self-contained story, requiring no prior knowledge of previous installments.

Directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie, The Final Reckoning largely struggles under the weight of its own history. Rather than being accessible as a standalone adventure, it leans heavily on references to past films, minor characters from decades ago, and plot devices that long-time fans will recognize. The outcome is a film that feels bloated and overly reliant on franchise continuity, making it arguably the most underwhelming entry in the seriesthough its final act almost redeems the experience.

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, joined by Pom Klementieff as Paris, Greg Tarzan Davis as Degas, Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, and Hayley Atwell as Grace. The story itself is a whirlwind: a rogue artificial intelligence known as The Entity threatens global destruction by spreading misinformation online and hacking nuclear weapons. With only days to avert catastrophe, Hunt and his team embark on a globe-trotting mission, including a perilous dive to recover a sunken nuclear submarine in the Arctic and a climactic confrontation in a South African doomsday bunker.

The plot, however, often feels convoluted and implausible, with some promising elements, like worldwide chaos, barely explored. The films fixation on franchise lorehighlighting obscure characters and past plot pointsmay confuse casual viewers, and the choice of an AI antagonist, while timely, lacks the tension of a compelling human villain. Esai Morales as Gabriel performs capably, but his character is underdeveloped, leaving a gap in the narrative.

Despite these weaknesses, the movie shines in moments of suspense and spectacle. Particularly memorable is the final sequence featuring Cruise performing a daring midair leap between two planes, a stunt that has become synonymous with the franchise. This sequence, executed with precise timing and breathtaking risk, underscores the films ability to thrill, even if the preceding story is cumbersome.

The political subplot, involving Angela Bassetts U.S. president contemplating a strike against The Entity, offers a brief, tense interlude reminiscent of classic political thrillers. Yet, all technical or narrative missteps fade once the action intensifies in the final act, making the last 30 minutes an exhilarating highlight.

In the end, while Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning struggles with coherence and overreliance on franchise history, its climactic stunts and adrenaline-fueled finale deliver a satisfying payoff for fans. The movie is now streaming on Paramount+, and the standout airplane sequence alone makes it worth watching on the largest screen possible.

Author: Benjamin Carter