Tom Cruise’s Epic Farewell in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

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In my perspective as an ardent fan, Ethan Hunt tosses all he’s got and even the kitchen sink into his swansong mission, transforming Mission: Impossible – Fallout into the concluding chapter we yearned for.

Tom Cruise has made it clear that he’s not planning to slow down his action-packed performances during interviews, but eventually, the Mission: Impossible series must conclude. Watching movie number 47 with hopes that he doesn’t injure himself while running through Paris streets isn’t the fitting tribute Ethan Hunt deserves.

The end result had to be spectacularly thrilling: skydiving, high-speed car pursuits, gunfights, and an extraordinary stunt that would shatter the internet and set a new world record. Fortunately for us, Mission: Impossible 8 lives up to expectations and even surpasses them, with Cruise hardly breaking a sweat.

Although Ethan’s plot reinforces the same moral lesson, the latest movie unmistakably demonstrates that making such epic films is Tom Cruise’s true calling, and we’re all fortunate to have accompanied him on this journey for over three decades. Just like before, The Final Reckoning runs exceptionally long… but who wouldn’t want to witness one more villain meet their end?

What is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning about?

In Dead Reckoning’s continuation, Ethan continues his pursuit to prevent The Entity, an autonomous and malevolent AI, from causing humanity’s extinction. This formidable adversary has the power to manipulate individuals unbeknownst to them, leaving it uncertain whether the person they are communicating with is truly human or under The Entity’s control.

After being away from the grid with the Cruciform Key, preventing global collapse, President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett, previously seen in Fallout) persuades Ethan to give up. However, Mission: Impossible 7’s antagonist Gabriel (Esai Morales) aims to command The Entity, which puts Ethan in a position where he is opposing the US government and Gabriel in their struggle for power and potential annihilation.

On his last assignment, Ethan is gathering trusted individuals to retrieve The Entity’s coding from Sevastopol and annihilate it permanently. Needless to say, perils such as death, calamities, and conundrums beyond reason await him.

A touching tribute to 30 years of Ethan Hunt 

As a devout fan, I can tell you that from the very start of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the impressive cast nods to the entire series. If, like me, you haven’t had time to watch the seventh film and are hesitant to catch up on three hours before your theater visit, fear not. The movie cleverly recaps the essentials of Dead Reckoning in under a minute through various tributes and flashbacks to each previous installment. In essence, this is precisely what AI should be doing – making complex information easily digestible for fans like us!

In 2025, the predicted AI and societal changes align strikingly with reality, and no matter how you examine it, this is Ethan’s most significant challenge yet. The mission offers non-stop, exhilarating action across various locations, situations, and whenever another character isn’t dominating the screen. Every path leads to him, and he stands light years apart from the rookie IMF agent we first encountered in 1996.

Through this period, Ethan’s task has evolved into his fate, although it’s still uncertain if he can truly fulfill it. Nowadays, he’s not questioned about accepting his mission (forgoing the famous catchphrase), because it’s become an inherent part of him. Essentially, Ethan and Cruise have merged into one action-packed hero, and their instinct for what needs to be done is remarkably sharp.

It’s amazing to consider all the hard work and effort that must have gone into those three intense hours on screen. If you weren’t aware, Tom Cruise might seem like an artificial intelligence given his performance. The battle against The Entity is relentless, requiring a great deal of suspension of disbelief to focus on Ethan’s progress. Yet, the reward is significant, as the action scenes in The Final Reckoning rank among the franchise’s finest.

Beyond the cruise, our multi-talented cast is skillfully navigating the dangerous terrain of common action stereotypes. Hayley Atwell’s character, Grace, continues to shine as an outstanding thief, with her potential romantic interest coming second. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett excels in her portrayal of the President of the United States, a role that seems tailor-made for her. Notably, Simon Pegg’s character, Benji, undergoes significant personal development, transitioning from the quirky British sidekick into a leading agent in his own right.

Plenty of Easter eggs and (finally) some answers

Without giving away too much, it’s worth noting that Mission: Impossible 8 does address some long-standing questions that have been on our minds for a while.

Although it won’t unravel every mystery within the franchise, it cleverly chooses and wraps up the most significant plotlines effectively. Among these resolved stories, Ethan’s future is particularly poignant, with emotional tributes at both the beginning and end of the action-packed sequences.

The story doesn’t solve every mystery in the franchise, but it knows which threads to follow and tie up neatly. What makes this special is how it handles Ethan’s future – with touching bookends that frame all the intense action scenes.

In the upcoming Mission: Impossible movie, we’re seeing a return of the character William Donloe (previously played by Rolf Saxon) from the original film. This fact alone speaks volumes about the attention to detail and high caliber of the production. The story is coming full circle, with no aspect of Ethan’s past left untouched – not even events that happened 30 years ago. Moreover, Donloe’s role in the story isn’t just as a distant adversary; he plays a crucial part in upholding what’s right and just.

It’s clear that this isn’t the only connection to previous films; instead, these movies often include both visual homages and tangible Easter eggs as key elements. You’ll find many examples here, and while some information is taken directly from Dead Reckoning, there are also quite a few references from movies 1-6 scattered throughout.

We focus not only on Ethan’s past experiences, but also on his current situation. It’s worth noting Tramell Tillman, who plays Milchick in Severance, and Katy O’Brien, two particularly charming members of the team, who are instrumental in guiding Ethan to secret locations, although you might be able to guess where they’re headed.

Absolutely, recognition goes out to everyone for their passion towards the series is palpable, mirroring their enthusiasm in crafting this last installment.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning review score: 4/5 – Great

Regardless of whether you know him as Ethan or Tom, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning offers a fittingly impressive swansong for either character. Cruise has upped the ante in terms of action, emotion, and compelling narratives, ensuring that no Mission: Impossible enthusiast will leave feeling cheated after watching this farewell film.

As a movie enthusiast who’s been there before, let me share some advice: If you’re planning to watch this masterpiece in IMAX and have a history of motion sickness, don’t forget to take care of your comfort needs first. Skipping that could leave you with an uncomfortable sensation, as the immersive experience can be quite intense. However, trust me when I say it will all be worth it! The visual spectacle you’re about to witness is nothing short of awe-inspiring, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible and offering an unparalleled cinematic experience that will leave you breathless with wonder.

The film “Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand” will be released in cinemas starting May 21, 2025. Explore our collection of top-notch spy films and action movies for an unforgettable viewing experience. Don’t forget to check out our 2025 movie schedule to stay updated on upcoming releases!

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2025-05-14 23:26