The Submarine Stunt in Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning: A Daring Triumph or Epic Fail?

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In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”, currently showing in cinemas, you’ll find one of the coolest action sequences among all Mission: Impossible movies. However, it also presents some logically questionable moments. This movie is another installment in the series that pushes the limits of what stunts can be executed for a film. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt takes things to unprecedented heights, quite literally. Interestingly, Tom Cruise dismissed the stunt coordinators unwilling to go to the lengths he desired for the movie, demonstrating his dedication to its action scenes.

The decisive, climactic feel of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” adds a profound intensity to every scene, whether it’s the departure of long-standing characters or the high risks involved as the IMF tries to thwart World War III. While the plane sequence in “The Final Reckoning” has been widely discussed, there’s another scene in the movie that initially shines as a testament to what makes the series unique, but its resolution surprisingly undermines any remaining suspense. In essence, it encapsulates both the best and worst aspects of “Mission: Impossible.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s Submarine Scene, Explained

The Final Reckoning Set Up Ethan’s Heist Of The Sunken Sevastopol In The Previous Film

In the movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” the submarine heist scene stands out as both a highlight and a challenge for the film (and indeed, the series). Upon learning that the submerged Russian vessel, the Sevastopol, harbors the Entity’s core programming, Ethan Hunt, in an advanced diving suit, descends to the ocean floor. Once inside the sub, he retrieves the artificial intelligence. However, a sudden jolt causes the submarine to break free and roll towards an underwater cliff, leaving Ethan racing against time to escape this perilous predicament.

This idea is exceptionally entertaining, essentially resembling The Final Reckoning’s rendition of the legendary CIA heist from the initial film in the series. Once more, Ethan is assigned a near-impossible mission, but unlike before, the quietness is chilling rather than intense. As Ethan navigates the frozen remnants of the sub and encounters crew members who failed to escape, the movie develops an ominous atmosphere that escalates into exhilarating tension when the sub starts moving and Ethan must devise a plan to extricate himself from this predicament.

Final Reckoning’s Best Visual Trickery Is During The Submarine Scene

One The Final Reckoning’s Coolest Scenes Is A Reminder Of How Inventive The M:I Series Has Always Been

One great aspect of the Mission: Impossible series lies in its ability to push blockbuster filmmakers to create breathtaking, innovative visuals. Tom Cruise’s dedication to practical effects, combined with the grand scale of action sequences in this franchise, allows directors to experiment and showcase their skills using some of the world’s most advanced cinematic tools. For instance, the submarine scene exemplifies this idea beautifully at first glance.

As Ethan ventures deeper into the ocean aboard a submarine, there’s a chilling elegance that unfolds, eliciting a sense of grand awe. The human aspect of Ethan Hunt remains palpable as he navigates through the sub, casting a somber mood over the entire sequence, enhancing the film’s portrayal of Hunt. The most striking visual effect occurs when the sub begins to tilt. Recognizing the movement, Ethan adapts by walking along the side of the sub, counteracting the roll as the water moves in the opposite direction.

The outcome is a strikingly beautiful scene, with Ethan gazing at the water, which creates a diagonal curve naturally. This shot is both surprising and skillfully executed, gradually building tension so that the abrupt increase in spinning feels like a significant climax. As Ethan continues his search for an escape within the sub, the torpedoes, now freed, pose a threat to him by potentially squashing him and obstructing his way. It’s a truly nerve-wracking and visually captivating sequence, a moment that even the film’s detractors (including those critical of the series as a whole) find hard to ignore as an undeniable example of cinematic artistry on display.

Final Reckoning Becomes Too Ridiculous With The Submarine Scene

After Reiterating The Danger Ethan Is In, The Movie Ignores Any Longterm Consequences

I must confess, The Final Reckoning veers so drastically from plausibility that it becomes challenging to maintain suspension of disbelief. The protagonist, Ethan, faces an insurmountable predicament when his life-saving wet-suit refuses to pass through the final escape hatch. Desperate and resourceful, he resorts to cutting off the suit with a knife and crawling through a torpedo tube in nothing but his undergarments. Miraculously escaping into the icy waters, Ethan embarks on an arduous swim against the crushing pressure of the deep, eventually reaching the frozen surface of the ocean. Alas, he succumbs to the frigid depths and meets his demise.

In a surprising twist, Grace rescues Ethan, who recovers swiftly after a brief respite in an emergency shelter. Just a few days later, Ethan finds himself clinging to aircraft sides. This unexpected turn disrupts the required suspension of disbelief for the movie to work effectively. Previously, the film had emphasized the crucial role of the wetsuit in Ethan’s survival and his near-death experience. However, the film seems to dismiss these critical elements as trivial mishaps, which is quite frustrating given the time spent establishing the sequence’s high stakes and potential consequences for errors.

In my opinion, the scene in the series where Sevastopol seems to plummet off a cliff is quite thrilling and imaginative. Watching Ethan manage to escape is certainly exhilarating. Truth be told, it’s just as implausible as other events in the series. However, what I find frustrating is that the way Ethan survives diminishes any sense of danger or tension. If he can endure a situation repeatedly portrayed as lethally perilous, then there’s minimal cause for concern about his character’s safety. This becomes evident in the climax, where Ethan’s luck and abilities enable him to bypass seemingly fatal situations numerous times. It undermines the suspense of the movie, which is unfortunate.

Final Reckoning’s Sub Scene Is Everything Cool And Wrong With M:I

A Great Visual That Makes The Story More Unbelievable

In essence, the film Mission: Impossible – Fallout serves as both a tribute to the entire franchise and potentially the last installment of the series. Consequently, it’s safe to say that the movie has achieved its goal. The film reaches breathtaking visual heights and tests the limits of cinematic stunt work. For instance, the submarine sequence is visually stunning and technically impressive, even when it verges on the absurd. The scene where Ethan appears to be drowning is masterfully filmed, with a dynamic camera that rotates and situates Ethan as he fades away from the world above and towards another realm.

The unrealistic portrayal of Ethan Hunt swimming vast distances disregarding previous mission warnings and then miraculously recovering after a brief stay in a tent with Hayley Atwell’s Grace character seems implausible. This scene undermines the suspense established throughout the rest of the film regarding Ethan’s survival. If a dramatic on-screen drowning wouldn’t have ended Ethan permanently, it’s challenging to accept that Gabriel, The Entity, or even natural forces could be fatal to him.

Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning showcases the series’ top-notch action sequences, yet it also underscores a recurring issue in the franchise – how the film’s exceptional lead actor can sometimes overshadow the dramatic tension of the plot. In other words, the movie’s high points are both thrilling and vexing, embodying the unique charm and challenge of the Mission Impossible series.

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2025-05-24 21:08