Ethan Hunt is back—running, jumping, climbing, falling, and probably holding his breath for 6 minutes straight—because Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning is finally here. It’s been nearly three decades of adrenaline-fueled insanity, and now the question is: has the franchise finally peaked? Is this the ultimate send-off for cinema’s most determined man on a mission?
The Bad – Yes, Even AI Isn’t Perfect
We know the Mission: Impossible series rarely misses, so let’s get the few bumps out of the way first.
First off, the villain—Entity. Yup, another rogue AI with access to nuclear codes and a god complex. It’s like Skynet, Ultron, and that one ChatGPT prompt that went too far had a baby. Sure, it’s creepy and all-knowing, but it lacks the sinister charm and psychological edge of previous baddies like Solomon Lane and the Apostles. Those guys had twisted philosophies and bone-chilling monologues like, “The greater the suffering, the greater the peace.” Entity? It just blinks menacingly on a screen.
Then there’s the pacing. For a movie about high-speed chases and life-or-death ticking clocks, the first act takes its sweet time. It felt like half the film was exposition, characters talking in circles, and the plot setting up dominoes instead of knocking them down. I didn’t check my watch in the theater, but I’m sure half of the movie is exposition galore.
The Good – And Oh Boy, It’s Gets Good
Once that second half hits? Buckle up.
This franchise has perfected the art of chaos. We’re talking simultaneous action scenes across different locations, character-driven tension, top-tier fight choreography, and that signature Mission: Impossible urgency that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Everyone on the team has their moment, but let’s be honest—it’s still the Tom Cruise show, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Speaking of Cruise: the man is not human. The stunts are unreal. From underwater missions that would give you anxiety to airborne madness that makes skydiving look like a casual stroll, Tom is out here redefining “movie magic.”
But let’s not forget the wizard behind the curtain: Christopher McQuarrie. Since Rogue Nation, he’s been steering this ship like a pro. He understands that a great stunt isn’t just about danger—it’s about stakes, urgency, emotion. He sets the stage. Cruise crashes through it. Together, they’re the cinematic duo.
And if you’ve followed this franchise from the start? You’re in for a treat. Threads from Mission: Impossible III are finally tied up (yes, Rabbit’s Foot is no longer a mystery), and it feels like a satisfying culmination of a 30-year saga.
Oh, and yes—someone major dies. No spoilers, but it lands. It hurts. And it raises the emotional temperature for the rest of the film.
Final Verdict
…or should I say, Final Reckoning?
If they’d swapped out the generic AI for a more compelling villain and trimmed the slow-burn first act, we might’ve been looking at a perfect 10. But even with those flaws, this movie slaps. The action, the emotion, the legacy—it all delivers.
Rating: 9/10
Ethan Hunt, you absolute maniac. Thank you for 30 years of rides. I hope this is the last one because I don’t think they can ever top this movie.
Ejon Zayn