🥃🥃🥃🥃 Premium Pour
A pulse-pounding spectacle that sticks the landing—almost.
The Plot (And What a Ride It Is)
In The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt faces the greatest threat yet: a rogue AI known as “The Entity” (left over from the last film) that can manipulate global intelligence networks, outthink human operatives, and even turn Hunt’s own past decisions against him. The team – Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames), and Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson) – is once again thrown into a whirlwind of deception, globe-trotting missions, and impossible decisions.
The story launches us from Rome to the Arctic, to an eerily futuristic underwater archive, as Ethan races to prevent this AI from going fully sentient and out of control. Along the way, familiar faces return, new allies emerge, and betrayals loom large. But as the stakes rise, the mission’s emotional cost becomes heavier – especially when every move is shadowed by the weight of Hunt’s past.
Tom Cruise Still Runs the Show (Literally)
Let’s just say it: Tom Cruise continues to defy both age and gravity. His stunts in The Final Reckoning are as jaw-dropping as ever. Whether he’s diving out of a plane with a burning parachute (yes, that’s real), scaling a vertical train in motion, or performing an underwater sequence that recalls Ghost Protocol, Cruise gives 110% to every frame. The man is a walking (and sprinting) adrenaline shot.
But what’s most compelling isn’t just the physicality—it’s how Final Reckoning allows moments of quiet resolve to break through Ethan’s legendary stoicism. He’s tired, haunted, and just a bit more human this time around.
The Real Scene-Stealers? The Supporting Cast.
While Cruise anchors the chaos, it’s the supporting performances that add texture and weight.
- Hayley Atwell is a standout as Grace, a clever thief reluctantly pulled into Ethan’s orbit. She injects much-needed levity and unpredictability into the mix.
- Pom Klementieff stuns as a near-silent assassin, radiating menace with barely a word.
- Esai Morales, as the film’s shadowy antagonist with ties to Ethan’s past, is enigmatic and threatening – but occasionally underserved by the script.
- Trammell Tillman (Severance) gives a standout performance in a smaller but memorable role as a submarine commander – composed, commanding, and a perfect fit for the world of M:I.
- And of course, Pegg and Rhames continue their streak as the heart and humor of the IMF team.
Even smaller roles, like Vanessa Kirby’s White Widow and Henry Czerny’s Eugene Kittridge, make strong impressions and deepen the franchise’s sense of continuity.
Action: Cranked to 11
Director Christopher McQuarrie has mastered the high-octane set piece. The action is relentless but varied – chases through crowded European streets, claustrophobic close-quarters fights, and even a bomb-defusal sequence that feels like a ticking metronome of dread.
One train sequence in particular – part homage to Mission: Impossible’s original 1996 finale—might be the best in the franchise. The tension builds steadily, and the choreography is crisp and clear, never sacrificing clarity for chaos.
The Weak Links: Length & Lore
Clocking in at nearly 3 hours, The Final Reckoning does test your endurance. The pacing occasionally lags, especially in the second act where multiple threads compete for attention.
And unless you’ve recently binge-watched the last seven films (or have a photographic memory), some of the callbacks and character beats may leave you scratching your head. The story occasionally gets tangled in its own mythology, relying heavily on viewer recall instead of providing satisfying stand-alone clarity.
Timeless or Dated?
While some of the tech threats (rogue AI, algorithmic disinformation) feel ripped from today’s headlines, the Mission: Impossible formula still holds strong – real stunts, global locations, and ethical dilemmas wrapped in kinetic action. It might not feel revolutionary anymore, but it doesn’t need to. This is a franchise that knows its lane and drives it like a stolen BMW in Rome.
🥃 The CocktailsandMovies.com Bottom Line
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning delivers the goods in all the ways you expect – and in a few you don’t. Tom Cruise proves once again why this franchise remains king of the blockbuster spy thrillers. The secondary performances elevate the stakes, the stunts defy belief, and the scale is breathtaking.
Yes, it’s a bit too long, and yes, the lore gets a bit too dense at times. But you come to Mission: Impossible for the ride – and this ride is still exhilarating.
Rating: 🥃🥃🥃🥃 Premium Pour
🔥 A near-masterpiece of action cinema. A must-see on the biggest screen you can find, but bring a snack – you’ll be there awhile.
