Review by Brad Balfour
Film: “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning”
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie/Erik Jendresen
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis , Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Katy O’Brian, Tramell Tillman
Bonafide mega star Tom Cruise loves science fiction. Not only has he played numerous characters from various sci-fi classics like “War of the Worlds,” “Minority Report” and “Edge of Tomorrow” but he seems to invest a certain gusto into his sci-fi roles. Yes, he’s played lots of different characters, all with a muscular intensity unmatched by many other actors. But he’s transformed his greatest series, “The Mission: Impossible” franchise, from what started out as a basic spy thriller (based on the classic TV series “this tape will self-destruct in five seconds”) into a complex sci-fi thriller.
In an attempt to make this enduring series ever more relevant, the 62-year-old has created the ultimate villain right out of “The Terminator” — The Entity. First introduced in “Mission: Impossible –– Dead Reckoning, Part One,” it all began in 2012 when the Sevastopol (a next-gen Russian stealth submarine) activated an advanced AI program using a two-piece cruciform key. Called The Entity, this AI somehow becomes sentient and goes rogue. It deceives the sub crew into torpedoing themselves, killing all aboard and sinking the ship deep into the Bering Sea. Then the insidious AI somehow escapes into the world at large. Now Ethan Hunt (Cruise), the man behind “The M:I” Force, must put the genie back into the bottle before it takes control of the global nuclear arsenal and launches missiles.
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” would be mislabeled if it’s simply called an action spy thriller. It’s so much more than that. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (from a screenplay co-written with Erik Jendresen) the sequel to 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” is the eighth and final installment in this long enduring series. Or so it has been proclaimed.
Cruise (who also produced alongside McQuarrie), brought back Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett to reprise their roles from the previous film. In this one, Impossible Mission Force leader Hunt (Cruise) and his team unite to prevent The Entity from unleashing global destruction. But there’s a lot more to being able to stop it than anyone ever expected. Along the way, Cruise plugs in further cast members — Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Katy O’Brian, and Tramell Tillman — to add to this nearly three-hour long feature.
It all started in January, 2019 when Cruise announced that the next two “M:I” films would be shot back-to-back, with McQuarrie writing and directing. Returning and new cast members were announced, and Lorne Balfe, who composed the score for “Fallout,” would return. Filming began in Italy during February 2020 but was halted by the pandemic. It resumed later that year and wrapped in September 2021, with other locations including Norway, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. With its estimated budget of $291 million, it’s one of the most expensive films ever made.
Given the delay, some of the tech concepts may seem a little dated now, but the film is so full of ideas, action sequences and characters that it took a lot just to sort it out after being visually and viscerally overwhelmed. Though “Why?” is never quite answered, The Entity decides it’s against humanity. It just is.
The weak point of the film is the character of Gabriel (Esai Morales) — the human antagonist who’s doing all he can to allow The Entity to wreak havoc. He wants the audience and the “M:I” Force to assume that –– if he can –– he will get control of The Entity and be the master of the world, possessing all its power. Though he’s its henchman, he’s never truly convincing as one equal to The Entity or someone who can wrest control of it. Except for the air battle conclusion, Gabriel never seems quite as insidious as he should be — he’s a bit of a lightweight.
In “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” Cruise’s complex action sequences — particularly when he enters the underwater sub and the final live plane battle — are visual extravaganzas on steroids. Coupled with its convoluted plot twists and turns, I felt like I had to turn to the Internet to sort it all out.
Though long and overstuffed with ideas, supporting characters and side missions, “The Final Reckoning” does offer a rousing conclusion to the first major franchise of the digital age. In this, the internet is as much a character and part of our reality as is the physical world. It never really feels long, at least in part because the moment it relaxes and offers some narrative continuity, it bumps into another fast-paced set piece.
Cruise has assembled an all-star cast of supporting actors, each fitting into the set pieces scattered throughout. Not wanting to reveal too many spoilers, I hesitate to cite examples. But there were various sequences which were virtually self-contained moments, some brilliant on their own terms. When the film focuses on a particular set of characters and establishes their presence, the whole film rises to the occasion.
I wish I had gone to the Museum of The Moving Image “Mission: Impossible” Marathon which had just run during the middle of May. To fully appreciate this franchise’s conclusion, I needed to see them all again. It’s been a long-winded way from the first film to now.
As this near-30-year series flexes its content and narrative to remind folks that from its initial outing to now, Hunt, Cruise’s classic character, was worthy of the redemption he sought and is now a legendary figure worthy of being called “iconic.” It’s that redemption desired from the first film on that has driven Hunt. “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is an aggressive exercise in extending the franchise to its ultimate conclusion.
“The Final Reckoning” is overpacked, convoluted, and it sometimes stretches credibility. Yet, since it’s mostly meant to be a send-off to this expansive universe, a few indulgences can be allowed. It’s a deserved celebration for everything this series has accomplished, and another showcase for Cruise as one of the greatest action stars of all time.
Cruise and company — McQuarrie in particular, who has made four of these films — have found a perfect vehicle for the last great mega star to express lots of complicated ideas whether they be in the plotting, establishing memorable characters, or through exercising fantastical stunt-making. Where Cruise goes from here is a question to ask. But certainly, the master movie maker — he’s more than just another actor — may find everything he does after this anti-climactic.