Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, 2025 - ★★★★
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning marks the end of an era for the beloved series.
As they bid farewell, it seems the movie tries too hard to evoke nostalgia and showcase stunts, which hinders the storytelling. It's disappointing that the film glosses over The Entity mastermind's plan, causing the audience to miss out on what could have been a thrilling game of cat and mouse, where both sides attempt to outsmart each other. For an AI bent on world destruction, it barely puts up a fight. This could have been the epic sendoff the series deserved, if not for the narrative misstep. Instead, it's mostly a ride through stunning action and trips down memory lane.
However, I don't mind it that much if it means I get to enjoy these batshit insane and intense stunts as one last hurrah from Tom Cruise. Because when you focus on the action scenes, where the movie's heart truly lies, it is nothing short of mesmerizing. I found myself both laughing and gasping in disbelief at the intensity of these jaw-dropping moments. The tension is palpable, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The submarine scene and the plane scene stand out as some of the most intense stunt work ever. I can imagine the technical aspects of these scenes might feel even crazier than what's shown on screen.
It's so easy to admire Tom Cruise's dedication to his craft within this franchise. I wish I could find someone who loves me as much as Tom Cruise loves his stunts. LOL. And while the narrative might have suffered, plunging deep like the sunken submarine, the musical score remains as iconic as ever, ranking among the most recognizable themes in cinematic history.
Mission Impossible has pushed thoughts on how far filmmaking, especially stunt work, has advanced. This franchise has truly set a standard for what action sequences can achieve, consistently topping itself with each installment. The crew's collaborative effort is nothing short of legendary, resulting in scenes that are both iconic and improbable.
Thank you to all the crews, not just from this movie but from the entire franchise. I salute you; you are the best. I hope we continue to see incredible franchises like this in the future, as I cannot imagine anyone surpassing it, but I would love to be proven wrong. Thank you for this farewell to an incredible series that I have enjoyed on screen for all these years.