The Thrills and Spills of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: A Review
When it comes to daring spectacle and nail-biting stunts, no one quite delivers like producer and star Tom Cruise and his frequent collaborator, director and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie. With their latest installment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, they push the envelope yet again, transforming the art of wing walking into a breathtaking climax that might just be the best stunt sequence seen in the last fifty years.
A Spectacle Worth Witnessing
From the opening scenes, it’s evident that this film is crafted to thrill and entertain. The adrenaline-fueled aerial stunts, featuring Cruise precariously hanging off a biplane at dizzying heights, are worth the ticket price alone. However, despite this incredible climax, the rest of the movie falls short in comparison.
A Tangled Tale: The Script’s Shortcomings
While the breathtaking action sequences may captivate audiences, the script suffers from significant flaws. The narrative feels like a jumbled mess, leaving viewers puzzled rather than thrilled. Questions linger, particularly regarding a key character who spends an interminable amount of time in an underground hospital. Is this character on the brink of death? The film, despite its hefty 170-minute runtime, fails to provide satisfactory answers.
This oversight feels particularly glaring given that this character appeared perfectly healthy in Dead Reckoning – Part One, suggesting the filmmakers may have deviated from an established storyline mid-shoot. Instead of a seamless narrative, viewers are presented with a disjointed plot that makes one wonder if Ethan Hunt (Cruise’s iconic super spy) is somehow trapped in a convoluted simulation of reality.
The Action-Packed yet Confusing Expedition
As The Final Reckoning unfolds, it attempts to reintroduce its large cast of characters and the threats posed by the rogue AI known as "The Entity." Unfortunately, the movie struggles under the weight of its own complexity. The plot bounces between locations, filled with elaborate traps and twisty plot points that leave viewers more confused than engaged.
Audiences might find themselves questioning the alliances and loyalties presented as the film dances between Ethan’s frantic rescues and the Entity’s manipulative hold on various characters. The dizzying pace combined with character dynamics that are often hard to follow detracts from the tension the filmmakers hope to create.
Clumsy Dialogue and Excessive Nostalgia
As compelling as the stunts and action sequences are, some of the dialogue feels awkward and contrived, a stark departure from the sharp writing usually associated with the Mission: Impossible series. McQuarrie’s penchant for self-referential easter eggs, including numerous callbacks to previous films in the franchise, can feel overdone, distracting from the urgency of the current narrative. It’s a reminder that not every detail from the past needs to converge into the present.
The High-Flying Climax: A Double-Edged Sword
The film’s climax beautifully delivers on the promise of high-octane thrills. As multiple do-or-die missions unfold in the final act, one can’t help but admire Cruise’s relentless commitment to his craft. However, the moments spent cutting away from him dangling off the biplane in favor of other plots can feel like missed opportunities to build genuine suspense.
Final Thoughts
While Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning ultimately provides jaw-dropping stunts, the experience is marred by a confusing script and clunky dialogue. It leaves audiences craving a more cohesive story to match the spectacular action on screen.
RATING: 6/10
In the end, this film offers enough thrills to satisfy genre fans, but it also serves as a reminder that sometimes, simpler might indeed be better.
Additional Insights
The Character Depth Lacks Dimension
The movie hints at the character of Gabriel (played by Esai Morales) tying back to Ethan Hunt’s past through flashbacks, raising expectations that ultimately go unfulfilled. Instead of deeper insights into their motivations, viewers are left with fleeting glimpses, detracting from the anticipated emotional weight.
An Internet-wide Dilemma
Ethan’s quest to obliterate the Entity also poses a larger question: in a world increasingly defined by the internet, can one hero single-handedly save the day? The stakes have never been higher, and as a viewer, you may simply find yourself rooting for a hero who dares to traverse the impossible.
For those eager to explore the Mission: Impossible franchise, check out Every Mission: Impossible Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best.
In a world brimming with action, high stakes, and intense drama, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning captures the heart of what Hollywood spectacle is all about, even if it struggles at times to keep itself grounded.
