2025 Summer Movie Season - Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning: Review and Analysis

 

A Force To Be Reckoned With!!!! Concluding Chapter in Mission Impossible Series Is Emotionally Showstopping Bookend to Action-Based Franchise!!!!

  Review By BJ Porter

One last mission to make it count

The Story

It is a common truth that we are all masters of our own destiny. Every decision we make, every path we choose, every life we take or save, brings us closer to what our endgame will be. Ever since his early days with the IMF, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has always approached every mission with the goal of completing it at any cost. However, recent years have shown that the risk of losing those closest to him makes every mission more costly than the last. In spite of the obstacles in his path that tragically included the death of one of his closest allies, Hunt has successfully acquired possession of a key that will give him access to the Entirety, a super-powerful rogue AI with unmatched reach and predictive capabilities. With time of the essence and the Entity and its loyal followers including Gabriel (Esai Morales) hot on their heels, Hunt, Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames), along with former thief and new IMF recruit Grace (Hayley Atwell) and Gabriel’s former right hand woman Paris (Pom Klementieff) must rely on each other more than ever as they face a mission that is the full manifestation of all they have done. 

Ethan holds the key to the world's future

The Review

As one of the best examples of adapting to the ever-changing landscape of blockbuster filmmaking, the epic conclusion to the current era of the Mission: Impossible franchise has arrived. The Final Reckoning serves as the eighth installment in the series and wraps up the narrative threads that started in 1996. After going on the latest mission with Hunt and the IMF, Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning is a supercharged, showstopping finale in every sense of the word. It is never easy to maintain relevancy over a nearly three-decade existence. But this franchise has managed to not only to do just that, but also take measures to ensure that every entry is something special. Serving as the second half of the 2 part final act, The Final Reckoning pulls no punches when it comes to emotion and spectacle throughout the nearly 3 hour runtime. One of the elements that makes this work is our leading man, Tom Cruise. To no one's surprise, Cruise is in his element even in his final bow as Ethan Hunt. Cruise's passion for this character and the story is apparent in every frame. This is the most emotionally vulnerable version of the character we've seen as he displays the workings of a man who feels the walls closing in, but is still confident in his ability to do what's necessary to get the job done. The work Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie have done over the past decade is a sight to behold, and this franchise wouldn't be the standard-raising on-screen juggernaut it is without their contributions both in front of and behind the camera. The ensemble around Cruise is equally as effective with everyone getting an opportunity to shine, especially those who were introduced in Dead Reckoning but weren't given the chance to do so. Starting with our OGs Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, Rhames is the emotional center and heart of the film. He sets the emotional stakes for the movie, and his contributions to the narrative make for some of the film's most gut-wrenching moments. Pegg is as phenomenal as ever as Benji, as the character is thrust to the forefront in a way that challenges the character in a way not seen. Pegg and Rhames are beloved veterans of the franchise and they do not disappoint in their final bows as the characters. As for the new players, Hayley Atwell is given even more to do in this film, and she makes the most of it in the best way. Her chemistry with Cruise creates a unique dynamic yet allows her to be the hero in many forms. Despite her joining late, Atwell's inclusion in the series was a gold star decision. Pom Klementieff is still a force on screen in her sophomore outing as Paris, despite not having many standout scenes like she did in Dead Reckoning and Greg Tarzan Davis is a welcome addition to the ensemble, fitting in perfectly with the team and making the most of his expanded screen time. Esai Morales very well may have solidified himself as one of the best villains in the series in his 2nd go as Gabriel. His arrogance and sadistic aura make him fun to watch all the way to the final frame he's in. Others, such as Angela Bassett, Henry Czerny, and even smaller role players like Trammel Tillman, Hannah Waddingham, and Katy O'Brian make such an indelible impression in their time on screen in a way that really makes this ensemble fire on all cylinders. There are a few other standout character performances, including one that was shocking to me, that i won't get into for the sake of spoilers. I will say that this brings me to another aspect of the film that really impressed me. 

Don't mind me. Just getting some air.

Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning's ability to tie in every single installment in the series to its story is nothing short of impressive. When I say that every film in the series matters, that is not an exaggeration. I was shocked at some of the connective tissues that were present within this film that tied events of previous entries into this one. Some were obvious, but others had me in pure disbelief. Believe me when I say that being familiar with what happens in every single Mission Impossible movie is of the utmost importance to ensure maximum emotional investment in this film. This may come off as a negative for some, but those who do the homework will be handsomely rewarded. From an entertainment standpoint, The Final Reckoning, much like some of its more recent counterparts, is pure cinematic spectacle. The action sequences are filled with such adrenaline and anxiety-induced tension that it makes every moment one where you're holding your breath and shaking your head in disbelief. The much-talked-about biplane sequence lives up to the hype and definitely  ranks up there as one of the best in the series. The underwater sequence is equally incredible, with so many heart-pounding moments that literally leave you breathless. This is already a top contender for one of the best action showcases of the year, made even more impressive knowing the passion, time and effort that Cruise and company put into it to make it as real and authentic as possible. Even in its final entry, this series continues to try and raise the bar regarding blockbuster filmmaking. All in all, Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning concludes a nearly 30 year story in satisfyingly bonkers fashion while also delivering an emotionally earnest swan song to one of cinema's most cherished characters. The work that every director, every actor, and every crew member did throughout this series is a testament to why this franchise has lasted this long and not only survived but thrived in the ever-changing landscape of blockbuster filmmaking. A concluding chapter that isn't just one of 2025's best event films, but a more than satisfying bookend to one of the best collections of action-based storytelling.

Final Score Rating

An emotional and thrilling conclusion to nearly 30 years of 
action-based storytelling that solidifies the series as one
of the best the genre has to offer.

Just one of the GOATS flying off into the sunset. Thanks for everything.