Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)

Over the past three decades, significant franchises have defined the era, but none as consistent as Mission: Impossible. Another uncommon aspect of this series is that it continually improved throughout the years as the stunts and storyline escalated. Now, we look to be coming to the conclusion of this action series, and the pressure is on to finish well by giving these beloved characters their due recognition.

The world has progressed into turmoil as The Entity began to infiltrate all online systems worldwide two months after the events from Dead Reckoning. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF (Impossible Missions Force) team hold the key to controlling this artificial intelligence. Despite the opposing efforts of Gabriel Martinelli (Esai Morales) and most of the world's governments, Hunt must do one final impossible task to save humanity. They must coordinate their skills and exceptional timing to travel the world and it's oceans and do all they can to outsmart this omniscient and omnipresent enemy.

Initially, this franchise tapped into various directors and screenwriters to guide it on the next impossible adventure until the partnership of Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise formed during Rogue Nation. From this time in the franchise's history, the narrative began to solidify, and the continuity of the storylines provided the trajectory over the past decade. The highlight culminated in the Fallout chapter, which continues to be celebrated by fans around the world. Still, we seem to have come to the end of this stage in the series' history. The challenge is to wrap three decades of characters, storylines and stunts that continue to set the standard for action.

At a lengthy 170 minutes, the pair do their best to honour the past, the people involved and the audience with an emotionally charged screenplay that takes time to build, but eventually kicks you in the guts with multiple scenes that have defined the series. The first hour is weighed down with explaining the links to the past as a set-up for the following climatic moments. Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff and Angela Bassett add to the story, honouring their roles throughout the years and giving a nod of appreciation for being part of the journey. Still, this film lies solely in the hands of Tom Cruise, who puts his body and soul into every scene without abandon. The submarine and bi-plane sequences are at the price of admission and justify being shown on the biggest screen possible.

Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, and company are justified in taking their time building the arc of Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning story. As they work to tie off thirty years, they may not have delivered the best in these films, but they have honoured the franchise with a strong and satisfying conclusion.

Find out more about Russ Matthews' latest book: Reel Marriage.

Reel Dialogue: Is Ethan Hunt a Christ-like figure?

(Excerpt taken from God in 60 Seconds of the same title)

I was recently asked how Mission Impossible's Ethan Hunt was Christ-like. This agent is constantly sent on impossible missions. He has his disciples whom he sacrifices for, and his goal is to save the world. I do enjoy the Mission Impossible franchise, and it's fun to consider Ethan Hunt a saviour figure, but he isn't Jesus.

Jesus may not have had the gadgets, masks and willingness to do crazy stunts, but His role in this world was much more. Yes, He did miracles and walked on water, but the real purpose of His mission was to save the souls of this world. Also, His method was to give His life as a sacrifice for us all.

Ethan Hunt may be a cinematic hero, but he can't measure up to Jesus, who accomplished the mission that many would qualify as impossible: being the world's true Saviour.

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Reel Dialogue’s ranking of the franchise – Top to bottom

1. Mission: Impossible - Fallout
2. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
3. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
4. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
5. Mission: Impossible
6. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
7. Mission: Impossible II
8. Mission: Impossible III

What do you think? How would you rank Ethan Hunt and the team's years of saving the world?