Critics Reckon Mission: Impossible —The Final Reckoning Is a Little Too Serious

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In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” those biplanes might be flying high, but critics seem to find the movie too weighty for a successful takeoff. Critic Bilge Ebiri of Vulture described it as suffering from “too much seriousness,” and he wasn’t alone in that sentiment. The farewell to Ethan Hunt and his team is filled with grandeur and foreboding, which contradicts the lighthearted, “oh boy, here we go” spirit that the series is known for. This last “Mission: Impossible” film, hitting theaters on May 23, has Tom Cruise battling AI, much like a new Pope might! The film received a 6-minute standing ovation at Cannes, but it could be due to Tom Cruise generating excitement. However, according to Variety’s review, there was “mocking laughter from hipsters” during some of the more outrageous stunt sequences. Yet isn’t it those over-the-top stunts that make us all eager to watch a “Mission: Impossible” movie?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that while there were certainly some criticisms levied at Paramount, there was also a lot of praise for “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” The film’s action sequences were hailed as being grand, absurd, and downright enjoyable. Tom Cruise, once again, garnered much admiration for his daring feats that kept us entertained to the very end. Here’s a roundup of what critics are raving about in regards to this latest installment of the Mission: Impossible series!

Is the movie Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning a failure or a success? I found it quite enjoyable to watch, but I spent most of the first hour worrying that it might be an utter flop (until we reached the actual shipwreck scene). My initial concerns persist even in the second half. The entire production seems heavily influenced by Marvel films with its numerous callbacks.” – Redacted Reviewer, Film Critic’s Corner.

This eighth installment of the “M:I” series offers a thrilling, humorous journey that occasionally reminisces on key scenes from the previous seven films. However, it maintains the signature element of Tom Cruise running across streets, a staple that is essential to any “M:I” movie. Moreover, this film introduces an intriguing new character, Captain Bledsoe, portrayed by Tramell Tillman with elegance and a touch of camp, who could potentially reappear in “M:I9”. Similarly, just as the sprinting scene is synonymous with “M:I”, so is Tom Cruise holding on for dear life at impossible heights. Here, he gets to grasp the wing of an old-fashioned propeller plane in the vast sky, echoing Anthony Hopkins’ words from MI:2: “It’s not Mission: Difficult,” after all.

One major problem with the movie ‘The Final Reckoning’ is its overwhelmingly high stakes. A traditional nuclear or biological weapon fits perfectly into the ‘Mission: Impossible’ genre – it offers a large-scale life-or-death situation that feels real and terrifying. However, the potential destruction of all life on Earth is hard to grasp, especially when compared to movies like ‘Rogue Nation’ or ‘Fallout’, where the stakes seem more manageable.” – Clint Gage, IGN

In ‘The Final Reckoning’, Tom Cruise is demonstrating his acting skills unlike any stunt person could, as he portrays Ethan Hunt’s determination to overcome evil. The intensity of fear and desire in his movements against the metal showcases the strength of Ethan’s will to save the world, mirroring Cruise’s own drive not just to entertain us, but to amaze us beyond belief. Essentially, Tom Cruise is fighting for the future of movies as much as Ethan Hunt is fighting for the world in ‘The Final Reckoning’, ensuring that we don’t have to do it ourselves.” – Owen Glieberman, Variety

In my opinion, while “Dead Reckoning” certainly didn’t shy away from packing an abundance of thrilling action sequences – the car chase in Rome and the descent down the Spanish Steps with Ethan and Grace in a Fiat Bambino was simply unforgettable – “Final Reckoning” seems to overdo it by dwelling excessively on retellings, explanations, and tedious cyber jargon. The constant round-robin discussions about the gravity of the situation can feel like being stuck in an endless series of committee meetings. At times, it even borders on a comical self-parody. – A passionate admirer

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2025-05-15 05:55