The Mission: Impossible franchise has thrived on spectacle, precision, and the sheer force of Tom Cruise sprinting at full speed toward danger. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning continues that tradition, even if it takes a little longer to get there this time. While the first act leans heavily on exposition and franchise callbacks, once the film shifts into gear, it becomes a thrilling, high-stakes ride that taps directly into the fears of our current world.
Let’s start with the flaws: the movie opens with a lot of table-setting. There are characters to reintroduce, new faces to set up, and a world-threatening plot that needs much explanation. That means the momentum stalls early on as the film pauses for lengthy info dumps. For fans deeply invested in the series lore, these moments may feel like necessary connective tissue. Still, they can test the patience of anyone just here for the action.
Thankfully, when the action does kick in, it doesn’t disappoint. As always, the stunts are practical, the sequences are kinetic, and the set pieces are designed to make your pulse race. Of course, there’s much-advertised, jaw-dropping plane sequence that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible, and the choreography of chase scenes and close-quarters combat keeps things moving at a breathless pace.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning combines sharp spectacle with a tense, tech-fueled race against time.
What sets Final Reckoning apart is how eerily relevant its plot feels. The story further revolves around the sentient AI from Dead Reckoning, known only as “The Entity”—a faceless digital force capable of controlling information, erasing identities, and compromising global defense systems. The most terrifying part? It’s not far-fetched. The film leans into the dangers of misinformation, deepfakes, and surveillance, but also raises the specter of nuclear catastrophe. That blend of futuristic tech and Cold War-era paranoia gives the film a unique texture. It’s not just an action movie—it’s a cautionary tale disguised as a spy thriller, and it works.
Ethan Hunt is again joined by his trusted team of allies who bring heart and stakes to the mission. Their presence keeps the emotional core intact, as the film balances explosive set pieces with moments of loyalty, sacrifice, and the weight of consequence. The dynamic within the team remains one of the series’ strongest assets, grounding the larger-than-life moments with real emotional resonance.
Overall, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s sharp, timely, and the tension that stays with you after the credits roll. In a world teetering between digital chaos and global instability, it’s unsettling just how close this mission feels to reality.
Rating: 4/5 atoms
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23rd.
