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The spinoff from the popularity of the “Mission: Impossible” movies is that the complex plot structure of these films can be enjoyed either as intricate world-building or as random occurrences. If you look closely at the series as a whole, you’ll notice a connected chain of events, but you can also watch each movie independently without feeling lost in the narrative.

In essence, Christopher McQuarrie, both co-writer and director, might have taken on more than he bargained for with the supposed conclusion to the Ethan Hunt saga: shortly after the unveiling of “Dead Reckoning – Part One” in 2023, the sequel was rebranded as “The Final Reckoning,” dropping the “Part One.” This decision by McQuarrie and Paramount Pictures suggests that there’s still a lot connecting these two movies, and it even ties back to the entire series, adding weightier stakes to the narrative – even greater than the apocalyptic events that fueled each mission. With its premiere on May 23 approaching, EbMaster has prepared a refresher for fans to get up-to-speed on the franchise before “The Final Reckoning” hits the screens.

Where did the series leave off last time?

In “Dead Reckoning,” Ethan Hunt encounters Gabriel Martinelli (Esai Morales), a key player in covert operations linked to an event that led him to join the Impossible Mission Force. Gabriel serves as the human tool for The Entity, an evolved type of artificial intelligence that’s gradually penetrated global powers with the aim of disrupting information exchange and eventually triggering a nuclear disaster.

Following a tense standoff on a rapidly moving train, Gabriel manages to evade arrest and presses forward with his mission to aid the Entity. Meanwhile, Ethan recovers the crucial key that Gabriel sought. Subsequently, Ethan’s group gets information from Paris (Pom Klementieff), one of Gabriel’s associates, that the two-piece cruciform key they’ve been hunting unlocks a compartment, referred to as the “sonar sphere”, within the submerged hull of a Russian submarine, the Sevastapol. This vessel carries the fundamental code for the Entity. Now in possession of the physical key to manipulate or eliminate their AI foe, the IMF team continues to operate covertly to track down the Sevastapol, which currently lies at the bottom of the ocean, its exact location unknown to anyone.

Who now makes up Ethan’s team?

In addition to the character portrayed as a “mind-reading, shape-shifting embodiment of disorder” in the novel “Dead Reckoning”, the IMF team consists of:

1. Luther Stickell, a computer expert often stationed in vans, played by Ving Rhames.
2. Benji Dunn, a reluctant field agent, portrayed by Simon Pegg.
3. Grace, a new recruit, pursued by Ethan in the previous film, played by Hayley Atwell.
4. A former henchwoman of Gabriel named Paris, who survived her boss’ attempt to kill her.
5. Theo Degas, a U.S. intelligence officer who previously worked with Jasper Briggs, the character who started chasing Ethan in “Dead Reckoning”, played by Greg Tarzan Davis.

Who’s watching this unfold on the world stage?

At the pinnacle sits President Erika Sloane, previously the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, now flanked by Eugene Kittridge, the current CIA director who also served as IMF director. Their bond is strained after a past confrontation thirty years ago. Surrounding her are key figures like Secretary of Defense Serling Bernstein, Secretary of State Walters, General Sidmey (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), NSA head Angstrom, and National Intelligence Director Richards.

Which other previous installments does “The Final Reckoning” link back to?

In the movie “Mission: Impossible” from 1996, Ethan had his initial mission where he met Kittridge for the first time. Since then, these two characters have displayed a recurring tension in their interactions that was present back at their first encounter. Despite their disagreements on methods, they both acknowledge each other’s good intentions, even when they don’t see eye to eye.

Additionally, in the initial movie, Ethan gains access to a fortified CIA vault at Langley, VA headquarters, a task meant to be overseen by William Donloe (portrayed by Rolf Saxon). However, due to Donloe’s mistake, he was relocated to a secluded post in Alaska. During their hunt for the Sevastapol, Ethan encounters Donloe again after many years, marking their first face-to-face meeting.

In my perspective, the movie “Mission: Impossible III” holds a certain resonance, particularly when looking back. During this film, I was hot on the trail of a baffling artifact called the “Rabbit’s Foot.” Benji, a comrade, once referred to it as an entity that could be considered the antithesis of divinity and a source of disorder, yet its true function remained a mystery. Interestingly, this enigmatic device seems to have played a role in the development of the AI that eventually became known as the Entity, even though it was never explicitly discussed again.

If we look beyond direct connections, it’s important to note that the terrorist groups from previous films – Cobalt in “Ghost Protocol” (2011), the Syndicate in “Rogue Nation” (2015) and The Apostles in “Fallout” (2018) – were indirectly influenced by the infiltration of global intelligence agencies orchestrated by a common entity, although not necessarily Gabriel.

What else should you know going in?

In essence, “The Final Reckoning” delivers nearly all its information at the start, either through lengthy narration or early conversations between characters. The film aims to primarily wrap up the storyline established in “Dead Reckoning,” making most of the specific details more relevant for long-term fans than necessary for new viewers to follow the plot. Essentially, whether you’ve been along for the entire franchise or just joining now, the movie provides a clear introduction, allowing you to jump right in without needing prior knowledge to enjoy the action and excitement.

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2025-05-23 02:54