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Watching Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible films is akin to observing an energetic, daring acrobat. He seems to exclaim, “Look what I can accomplish!” and then performs breathtaking stunts such as somersaults or mini-jumps that might make your heart skip a beat. For decades, Cruise has utilized his blockbuster franchise to showcase his talent for performing various stunts. His enjoyment is palpable, and ours as well. And, predictably, The Final Reckoning boasts a few scenes that have viewers exclaiming, “Heavens above! How did he manage that?

In contrast to earlier versions, the final edition stands out for having less action amidst its extended 170-minute span. Given that Cruise and McQuarrie were tasked with wrapping up all plot threads, this reduction is reasonable. Instead, dialogue dominates a significant portion of the runtime, but rest assured, it’s captivating throughout. When the action eventually surfaces, it undeniably pays off the build-up.

Here is every stunt and fight scene, ranked from average to best.

7
The Confrontation at the South African Digital Bunker

Following the acquisition of the source code saved on a hard drive known as ‘podkova’ (later identified as Rabbit’s Foot) from the submerged Russian submarine, Sevastopol, Ethan comes up with a strategy. He intends to employ a “Poison Pill” device, a creation by his deceased comrade Luther, to ensnare the intelligent AI system. By doing so, he aims to cut off this system from all significant worldwide networks.

As Gabriel hides out in a South African bunker with the “Poison Pill,” I join Ethan’s squad on our way there. Upon reaching our destination, Gabriel unveils a ticking nuclear device and demands the podkova in return for disarming it, with only 20 minutes left on the countdown. However, things quickly turn chaotic when CIA operatives led by Kittridge and Briggs show up, aiming to seize the Entity for the U.S. government. A shootout erupts as tensions rise.

Messy Indoor Shootout

The situation is significant, yet the action seems somewhat lackluster as it’s the type of indoor firefight where everyone hunkers down and aims to avoid getting hit. Unfortunately, Benji isn’t spared this time. He gets struck by a bullet, leading to some amusing instances where he collapses right when his team needs him most for vital details.

A more impactful “bunker” scene might have included less participants and more imaginative methods for conflict, apart from weapons like guns. However, it’s worth noting that this segment effectively sets the stage for the thrilling aerial battle that follows, which is the bi-plane skirmish.

6
The Prison Break

In Dead Reckoning, Gabriel ends up stabbing Paris and abandoning her, suspecting she might turn against him due to their animosity; however, in The Final Reckoning, it is disclosed that she has been imprisoned at the infamous Graz-Karlau penitentiary in Austria.

Gabriel stabs Paris at the end of Dead Reckoning, fearing she might betray him, and she is later found at the notorious Graz-Karlau prison in Austria at the start of The Final Reckoning.

Given their eagerness to secure Gabriel, Ethan and his crew devise a plan using Paris as a means. They subsequently penetrate the prison and free her, but prior to this operation, she resists them, thinking they’re assailants (due to their disguises).

A New Ally

Here, Paris argues persuasively about the merits that make her suitable for a female-centric action series. The members of the International Mission Force are moments away from being overpowered when they disclose their hidden identities.

The allure of the scene isn’t confined to just hand-to-hand fighting; the artful presentation of stealth and disguise techniques, akin to the iconic Kremlin infiltration in Ghost Protocol, is also noteworthy. Unfortunately, the prison break sequence is over too quickly, ending before viewers can fully immerse themselves, as the scene abruptly shifts focus.

5
Obliterating Gabriel’s Lackeys

At the beginning of the film, Ethan and Grace are taken prisoner by Gabriel. The antagonist demands that Ethan retrieve the Entity’s source code from Sevastopol in return for freeing Grace. However, Ethan has had enough experience to understand that individuals like Gabriel cannot be relied upon. Therefore, Ethan feigns swallowing a cyanide capsule, prompting Gabriel’s men to attempt resuscitation, which allows him to slaughter them all.

One-Man-Army… Briefly

As a gentle reminder, Ethan excels at swiftly navigating through openings when he finds himself backed into a corner, a skill he’s honed from numerous past experiences where he’s managed to escape each time.

The impact of the scene comes primarily from its gruesome, horror-like brutality, implying that by this stage in the story, Ethan has reached his limit. It seems inevitable that someone must perish to prevent catastrophe. Regrettably, a significant part of the action transpires off-camera and is later used for comic relief. We only witness the aftermath: one henchman pinned under a heavy metal box, another lying atop it with a cleaver lodged in his back. Given these events, Grace is understandably shocked and questions whether this is truly the Ethan she’s familiar with. As anticipated, the main character plays off the incident nonchalantly.

4
The USS Ohio Fight

Ethan has been given the authority to employ a Virginia-class submarine for his mission aimed at locating the submerged city of Sevastopol. The submarine will navigate him behind enemy lines, once the coordinates are received. However, while within it, Ethan faces an unexpected assault from a traitorous crew member who secretly serves the Entity.

“You gave him an aircraft carrier?”

The brawl stirs up recollections of another thrilling incident – the bathroom battle from the game Fallout. There’s never a lull in the intense, close-quartered physical confrontations within the confined areas of the submarine. With minimal space to evade, they are compelled to clash repeatedly, with no other choice.

As a movie critic, I must say, the film delivers an unexpected jolt right from the get-go, a classic jump scare that leaves both Ethan and the audience on edge. It’s clear that Ethan isn’t expecting trouble, and neither are we. Interestingly, this film takes a refreshing turn by acknowledging that even an IMF member like Ethan can’t always handle everything alone. The ensuing fight sequence almost proves fatal for our hero until one of his comrades steps in to save the day.

3
Ethan’s Team Versus the Russians at St. Matthew Island

Ethan’s group journeys to St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea, where they discover the isolated CIA analyst William Donloe (from the 1996 “Mission: Impossible”) who was exiled there following an incident at Langley. Coincidentally, he remembers the coordinates of the sunken Sevastopol. However, a Russian special forces team arrives seeking those same coordinates, leading to a dangerous confrontation.

Mayhem at the Cabin

It’s great when everyone on the team gets involved, and that’s exactly what we see here. Benji, Degas, and Paris each take on the attackers in unique ways. Simultaneously, Grace and Tapeesa make their escape to reunite with Ethan, who has retrieved the podkova from the Sevastopol, and they head towards him with a decompression chamber.

The series maintains tension among viewers since it’s more than mere combat; there are additional elements at play, such as sending vital coordinates and dealing with a cabin blaze. Fortunately, the fire incident provides us with stunning visuals, making it all worthwhile.

2
Exploring the Sevastopol Wreck

For a significant portion of the movie, Ethan delves into the sunken Sevastopol, hunting for a specific module. As expected, events took a turn for the worse. Water began to seep into the submarine, sending the wreckage spiraling down towards the deeper parts of the ocean floor. This extended scene spans more than 10 minutes, and every second is captivating.

Aqua-Tom

It’s possible that James Cameron harbors a secret longing to have directed the thrilling underwater exploration depicted in “Sevastopol.” This scene, known for its breathtaking visuals, stands as one of the most awe-inspiring sequences ever captured on film. Viewers are immersed in an array of stunning shots, both from within the submarine and outside it. It’s clear that Tom Cruise relished every moment of this experience.

The film also presents some harrowing scenes of crew members who unfortunately didn’t survive their time in the sub, their frozen figures a haunting reminder of the perils of deep-sea exploration.

What truly sets this movie apart is the sustained tension throughout. For what feels like an eternity, it seems as if the protagonist won’t manage to escape the water. Thankfully, he does make it out alive in the end.

1
The Bi-Plane Tussle

In this thrilling tale, it’s revealed that the most dramatic events come at the end. Following the gunfight at the South African data fortress, Gabriel flees on an aircraft carrying the ‘Poison Pill’, prompting Ethan to chase him on a separate plane. After a grueling battle, he boards Gabriel’s plane while it’s still in flight. A short time later, Gabriel is ejected from the cockpit, and as he strives to deploy his parachute, his head suffers a fatal blow from the rudder. Eventually, Ethan locates a second parachute and lands with the ‘Poison Pill’ in tow.

Adios Gabriel

The cinematic experience is brimming with aerial feats, yet none surpass this one, possibly none at all. It’s absolutely breathtaking from every angle, including close-ups of the two opponents and panoramic views of the earth below. Much like an underwater mission, the biplane sequence isn’t rushed. Ethan takes his time in reaching Gabriel’s plane, a realistic portrayal of how such a scenario would unfold in reality. Moreover, it’s intriguing that Gabriel meets a comically villainous death, unlike Ethan simply eliminating him. To truly savor this sequence, one must watch it in its entirety.

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2025-05-31 06:04