Cover Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, Pom Klementieff plays Paris, Greg Tarzan Davis plays Degas, Simon Pegg plays Benji Dunn and Hayley Atwell plays Grace in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance. (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, Pom Klementieff plays Paris, Greg Tarzan Davis plays Degas, Simon Pegg plays Benji Dunn and Hayley Atwell plays Grace in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning from Paramount Pictures and Skydance. (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
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In what may very well be Tom Cruise’s last appearance as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, ‘Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning’ is a sentimental sendoff that stands on its own two feet
Nearly three decades have passed since Tom Cruise first descended into our lives as agent Ethan Hunt, and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning serves as a heartfelt conclusion to his character. It’s chock-full of explosions, stunts, emotional goodbyes and callbacks that will reward longtime fans, make them lean forward and point at the screen. Throughout its three-hour runtime, it manages to balance its large ensemble cast with thrilling action sequences—a seemingly impossible task.
Fair warning: spoilers ahead!
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Above The stakes are higher than ever in the IMF's latest mission (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
The stakes are higher than ever in the IMF's latest mission (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
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Following the events of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, a sentient artificial intelligence known as The Entity has gained control of several of the world’s nuclear arsenals, which consequently creates a cult around its seeming untouchability. Hunt is in possession of a cruciform key that will allow him to access The Entity’s source code, tucked away in a sunken submarine, and destroy it. Standing in his way is Gabriel (Esai Morales), an enigmatic man from Hunt’s past who now works for The Entity. Hunt and his two longtime comrades, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), gain help in the form of an assassin-turned-ally, Paris (Pom Klementieff), US intelligence agent Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis) and expert pickpocket Grace (Hayley Atwell).
Above Ving Rhames returns as Luther Stickell (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Ving Rhames returns as Luther Stickell (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
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The Entity being able to control not just an isolated patch of the internet, but the entire cyberspace, leads to interesting scenarios compared to how Mission: Impossible films usually unfold. Suddenly stripped of the technology they have come to rely on, the characters suddenly must go analogue, forcing them to adapt to conditions that present their own set of risks and challenges.
The action sequences are phenomenal, and the outrageous spectacles for which the franchise is known remain on full display. The fights themselves feel raw and visceral, adding a much-needed dash of realism. Amidst all this chaos, it also manages to find moments to sprinkle in lighthearted scenes that help the characters feel human and genuine.
At the centre of all this are Cruise’s stunts. Though Hunt seems superhuman in surviving extreme conditions, falls and blunt force trauma, he visibly struggles. He claws, trembles, grits his teeth, groans in pain and holds on for dear life. The payoff when he eventually succeeds in defeating his opponent is made that much more satisfying. However, certain scenes, such as Hunt’s journey into the submarine Sevastopol, drag on for far longer than necessary. It succeeds in building tension, but fails to find the right moment to release it, resulting in a rather lukewarm tone to what would otherwise have been a nail-biter.
Above This isn't the first time Cruise has clung onto a mid-flight plane (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
This isn't the first time Cruise has clung onto a mid-flight plane (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
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Cruise wears the guise of Hunt like a second skin. He knows the character inside and out, flawlessly showcasing the agent’s nigh-unshakeable confidence (and penchant for long-distance running) with enthusiastic intensity. There’s a reason why he does his own stunts—it’s because Hunt would have done the same. Cruise also enjoys chemistry with Pegg and Rhames, both of whom likewise deliver convincing and relatable performances. When all three are together on screen, they feel like old friends, especially with their back-and-forth exchanges and quips whose meanings only they are privy to.
Grace brings a touch of pragmatism to the otherwise experienced and desensitised IMF. She acts as a sorely-needed voice of reason in a group that is already used to Hunt’s antics; only she spoke out against Hunt’s unhealthy practice of hoping that things go exactly according to plan, even though they rarely do.
Paris stood out to me in Dead Reckoning thanks to Klementieff’s electrifying performance, and was concerned that she would be relegated to a one-dimensional character who would only shine when she was punching someone in the face. I was proven wrong. In Final Reckoning, Paris retains her fiery demeanour and sharp wit, but she also has refreshing moments of vulnerability, providing a surprising layer of depth.
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Above Hunt inspects a familiar-looking knife, which he receives from a familiar-looking individual (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Hunt inspects a familiar-looking knife, which he receives from a familiar-looking individual (Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
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On the other hand, Degas’ character felt underutilised, despite the innate potential he carries. He is someone who follows orders faithfully, but is capable of taking a step back and making his own decisions. A few more scenes of him debating over obeying his superiors or aiding Hunt would have made him far more compelling and convincing ally.
Morales brings Gabriel’s cold and unsettling ruthlessness to life. He is commanding, self-assured and charismatic every time he’s on screen. Even when he isn’t, his presence lingers in the back of your mind. You know he’s there somewhere, watching and waiting to attack. You just don’t know when—and that’s precisely what makes him so intimidating to both Hunt and the audience.
The film nonetheless excels in caring about the characters that populate its world. Even minor supporting roles, such as Captain Bledsoe (Tramell Tillman) or Admiral Neely (Hannah Waddingham), are given incredible amounts of personality that one might easily forget that they’re not part of the main cast.
Above Catch the trailer of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning manages to stand on its own merit, despite it being the second half of a two-part finale. And yet, its main role is clear: a proper, sentimental sendoff for what might be Cruise’s last appearance as Hunt. It’s a walk down memory lane as it references its past entries, from subtle gestures, reintroducing old faces and connecting the dots of previous mysteries in a way that, a majority of the time, feels natural and well-earned. It’s a treat to see these not as pure acts of fan service, but as driving moments that move the plot forward. But that’s not to say the film doesn’t enjoy doing it. The characters themselves are just as excited, delighted, and yes, even devastated, to encounter these little moments.
Just like all of Hunt’s missions, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, at times, derails. It makes mistakes; it’s imperfect. It is at its best when it is a spy flick, with Cruise clinging onto the side of a plane or running surveillance with the help of his team (and hiding behind a digital camouflage screen). Mishaps occur during those protracted stunt scenes, more effective at irritating you than building suspense. Yet these small, awkward blotches ultimately end up as part of its charm. It veers off-course, but it never loses sight of what it is: a film about saving the day, even when no one is watching—a mission it chooses to accept, every single time.
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
