Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2024) Review: A Fitting End to an Iconic Saga?

Introduction

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt one last time in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the eighth Onicplay and supposedly final installment of the blockbuster spy franchise. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this high-octane thriller promises jaw-dropping stunts, intense espionage, and emotional closure for the IMF team. But does it deliver a satisfying conclusion? Here’s our full review.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) faces his most dangerous mission yet as a rogue AI system threatens global security. With the IMF disbanded and old enemies resurfacing, Hunt must assemble his team—Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames), and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson)—for a final mission that blurs the line between allies and traitors.

Newcomers Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff add fresh dynamics, while Esai Morales steps in as a chilling antagonist. The story ties back to previous films, rewarding long-time fans with callbacks and unresolved plot threads.

What Works?

1. Tom Cruise’s Relentless Commitment

At 61, Cruise performs even more death-defying stunts, including:
- A cliffside motorcycle jump (no CGI).
- A mid-air plane fight sequence.
- A high-speed train battle reminiscent of Mission: Impossible (1996).

2. Stellar Action & Practical Effects

The film continues the franchise’s tradition of real stunts over green screens.
The Venice rooftop chase and desert ambush are standouts.
Lorne Balfe’s score elevates every suspenseful moment.

3. Strong Performances

Hayley Atwell shines as a morally ambiguous thief.
Pom Klementieff brings brutal physicality as a ruthless assassin.
Ving Rhames & Simon Pegg provide humor and heart.

4. Emotional Payoff

Long-time fans will appreciate character resolutions, especially for Ethan and Ilsa.
The ending leaves room for spin-offs but feels definitive for Hunt’s journey.

What Doesn’t Work?

1. Overstuffed Plot

At 2 hours 45 minutes, the film struggles with pacing.
Some twists feel convoluted, especially involving AI and old villains.

2. Underused Returning Characters

Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust has less screen time than expected.
Henry Czerny’s Eugene Kittridge could’ve had a bigger role.

3. Familiar Tropes

While thrilling, some sequences feel repetitive (another mask reveal, another last-second bomb defusal).

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning delivers spectacle, nostalgia, and closure, even if it stumbles with pacing. Tom Cruise’s dedication to practical action remains unmatched, and the emotional beats land well. While not the perfect finale, it’s a worthy send-off for one of cinema’s greatest action franchises.

Best For:

Fans of the Mission: Impossible series.
Lovers of old-school, stunt-driven action.
Anyone who wants to see Tom Cruise defy death (again).

Skip If:

You prefer tighter scripts over set-piece spectacles.
You haven’t seen previous films (this isn’t a standalone).

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