Mission: Impossible has undeniably cemented its place as a blockbuster action franchise, surpassing the James Bond movies in sheer spectacle since Ethan Hunt’s debut in the 90s. While Bond has continued to innovate, Mission: Impossible has relentlessly pursued a singular goal: to get bigger with every film. This ambition naturally stoked immense anticipation for what is billed as the ultimate instalment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, even though the preceding film hadn’t quite hit the mark. And indeed, The Final Reckoning certainly delivers on the promise of large-scale, audacious stunts.
Yet, despite its breathtaking grandeur, The Final Reckoning paradoxically makes earlier Mission: Impossible films appear superior in some respects. This isn’t a critique of the film’s impressive scale; the real culprit is the screenplay.
Despite cultivating a massive global following over three decades, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning feels inexplicably tailored for audiences completely new to the franchise. This is glaringly evident in the repetitions within the narrative. For instance, the very first scene features a message reminding Ethan of his heroics spanning three decades before instructing him to surrender. While clearly intended as a nostalgic throwback, wonder if it is necessary. We, the dedicated fans, are already intimately familiar with Ethan’s legendary status – that’s precisely why we’re watching this new Mission Impossible movie! This level of spoon-feeding is unexpected.
This redundancy permeates the entire movie, extending beyond the plot points to the dialogues themselves. At times, the lines become unintentionally funny.
Unrivalled Action Sequences in The Final Reckoning
Where Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning unequivocally shines, as expected, is in its action sequences. Knowing this is a pivotal, potentially final, chapter, the team has clearly poured every ounce of their creativity and resources into the stunts. Director Christopher McQuarrie, a seasoned collaborator with Tom Cruise on recent MI films, understands the ingredients for cinematic thrills. He aims for the extraordinary. The set pieces are monumental, and the ambition is sky-high! From thrilling submarine stunts in the Atlantic Ocean’s depths to high-adrenaline aerial action with Cruise precariously hanging from upside-down planes – kudos to the cinematographer for capturing such breathtaking visuals. And, of course, the signature Tom Cruise running sequences are back, even when a vehicle might have been a more practical choice for Ethan!
A Missed Opportunity for Cinematic Greatness
However, McQuarrie appears to have misjudged the true impact of some of his sequences, failing to differentiate between genuinely innovative moments and those that feel merely formulaic. And this is precisely where Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning falls short of achieving true cinematic greatness.
Personally, I will always hold a deep affection for the Mission Impossible movies. I might even revisit the earlier instalments. But I’m uncertain how I’d feel about rewatching The Final Reckoning. Perhaps it would be a spur-of-the-moment decision, or maybe I’d enjoy it more when expectations are lower, the initial disappointment forgotten, and I can simply revel in watching Ethan Hunt do what he does best. For now, it’s a film I don’t regret watching. But it’s not one I’ll recall with the same awe as the first three films in the Mission Impossible franchise.
So long, Hunt!