Tom Cruise is back in action for yet another MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movie, this one bearing the title THE FINAL RECKONING which could indicate the end of the popular franchise. It seems the studio decided to not go with DEAD RECKONING Part Two, which is a little surprising since DEAD RECKONING Part One hit theaters in 2023, and this new chapter got delayed a bit after. Christopher McQuarrie is once again in the director chair, and in addition to Cruise, the cast also includes Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell, Holt McCallany, Katy O’Brian, Janet McTeer, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Nick Offerman, Angela Bassett, Ving Rhames, Shea Whigham, Esai Morales, and Henry Czerny back as Eugene Kittridge. The trailers made this installment look pretty spectacular, and the film itself finds a way to exceed all expectations.

Following up on the events of DEAD RECKONING Part One, the world is now under constant threat of a sentient AI program called The Entity. Our government has captured Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), and is investigating his checkered and near unbelievable past, but they also realize he’s perhaps the only man alive who may be able to stop The Entity, so they must turn him and his team loose one last time. But Ethan is also racing against his old foe Gabriel (Esai Morales), who has his own nefarious plans to control The Entity. As the entire world approaches potential nuclear destruction, it’s a race against time for Ethan to once again do the impossible.

With these movies, it’s not so much about the story or intricate plot details so much as it is about the exciting journey to the finish line. These MISSION films are not unlike James Bond adventures, in that you know the hero is going to win, but you can’t wait to see the challenges they’ll face along the way. THE FINAL RECKONING delivers some of the most intense sequences yet, including car chases, shootouts, high flying aerobatics, and one particularly harrowing sequence inside a nuclear submarine deep under the ocean – that scene has almost no dialogue in it, and it’s haunting and incredible to witness… and like many of the sequences in the film, it’s done pretty much for real in terms of what you’re seeing on screen. The plane sequence that’s been heavily teased in the trailers is also breathtaking and magnificent to watch, begging the question of how Tom Cruise (especially at his age) is still able to pull off all those amazing stunts.

Everyone is giving stellar performances here, no matter how small the role. Angela Bassett is wonderful as the very stressed President of the United States trying her best to maintain composure and leadership in the face of potential worldwide destruction. Holt McCallany and Nick Offerman are great as two high-ranking officials trying to understand her actions, and Hannah Waddingham has a great role as her old friend tasked with getting Ethan to a dangerous drop off location. Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are back as Ethan’s loyal team members, and this script gives each of them the heaviest material to work with yet during their many appearances throughout the franchise. Pegg is especially endearing and really feels like the heart of the film. Hayley Atwell is once again terrific as the pickpocket-turned-team member and right hand to Ethan, and Esai Morales is effectively nasty as the foil of the story. Pom Klementieff gets an expanded role and major character upgrade from the last film to this one, and actually ends up having some truly great moments in the story. Henry Czerny is also a welcome return as the ambiguous Kittridge, and Shea Whigham’s character is finally well-defined here in a really fun and interesting way. One thing the script and director Christopher McQuarrie does quite well is give every character a moment to shine. Other films like this would use the moments with the President and her advisors reacting as brief but obligatory exposition scenes, but here those sequences are given weight and time to breathe. ALL of these characters are important, and the movie doesn’t short change any of them.

Make no mistake, this is still very much Tom Cruise’s movie, and he is (as ever) the shining star in a powerful story, but he also compliments all of the actors around him with a performance that feels aware and generous. Each interaction is carefully scripted and executed to show how every character is integral to his story, and he shares the spotlight in a way that feels communal and smart. Cruise is still looking amazing here, holding his own in all the fight scenes, and looking convincing in every moment – it’s inspirational seeing this man still selling this character in such an honest and convincing way after nearly three decades and now eight films. Cruise is in top form here, looking slightly more weary, but never seeming tired or weak.

Another thing this installment does quite well is recap all of the previous films, and find fun ways to tie those events into this new story in a clever way. This new film is the culmination of 30 years of MISSION movies, and it finds a way to make itself feel worthy of that. The two hour and 50-minute run time is a lot to take in, but it’s never once boring or meandering. The stakes are higher here, and no one is safe, which makes the proceedings more exciting and feel more important than ever before. This is the best mission yet, and it earns its hype in a way that seems earnest and sincere. If this is to truly be THE FINAL RECKONING, it’s going out with a spectacular bang, and if nothing else it makes me want to revisit the previous seven films. And for those who have enjoyed these big screen adventures, this should serve as a well-deserved final chapter to a very impressive legacy.

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