Mission Impossible Final Reckoning Review

   Enormous in the size and scope of the finale it wishes to give its series (And perhaps a little too much as it doesn't fully feel as if it earns it's three hours running time), the eighth and final installment of the series Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning starting Tom Cruise brings the series to an honorable, if somewhat uneven, conclusion. The grand finale has Ethan Hunt and his IMF team racing against time to stop a rogue AI, known as The Entity, from gaining control of global nuclear strikes. If it's mission is to entertain while closing the curtain on its main characters 29 year journey then Final Reckoning overwhelmingly succeeds in doing so. One of the films main highlights is the chemistry generated by the films ensemble with Cruise once again delivering an excellent performance as Hunt, followed by Ving Rhames as Luther, Simon Pegg as Benji, and new additions including Hayley Atwell bringing a freshness to the story as Grace with her chemistry with Cruise being magnetic, along with Esai Morales making for both a charismatic and chilling villain to Ethan as Gabriel, Pom Klementief as Paris, and Henry Czerny as Kittridge. It's the energy driven by the cast and the long-standing relationships that add emotional weight to this finale.

       As far as the films action sequences and directing go, Christopher McQuarrie's work here proves to be extremely skillful with the films key action moments ranking as being spectacular. It also helps that much of the films wild and dangerous stunts are performed by Cruise himself, particularly the sequence in which he hands off the side of a plane and performs a mid-air jump, or another involving real deep-water diving. The cinematography is brilliantly shot and adds to the realism of the action. If there's any criticism to be levied at regarding the films technical elements, it can be directed toward the pacing which feels inconsistent and adds to the three hour running time ultimately feeling a bit overblown. The films first hour takes a great deal of time to buildup to the action but never feels dull or not engaging. For the most part, Final Reckonings script is strong despite bits where the films suspension of disbelief is tested (Ethan's character removing his diving suit and swimming up to the surface in icy waters is hilariously unbelievable), along with everyone looking up to Hunt's character as if he's some kind of savior. The film uses numerous flashbacks to remind audiences of past events and characters that fit into Final Reckonings storyline, despite feeling excessive at times. There are surprise twists that happen involving characters who may or may not survive the film along with numerous side character subplots incorporated that give off the impression that the film feels rather bloated.

      Regardless of the scripts shortcomings, Mission Impossible: Final Reckonings is a finely made and satisfying sendoff for the popular series that gets far more right than it does wrong. It may not be the best installment of the series (Mission Impossible: Fallout still stands tall as being the series crown jewel), but it packs a helluva lunch while simultaneously celebrating the series mythology. This is one mission that audiences should choose to accept, just be prepared to devote three hours to watching Ethan Hunt save the world once again. 

Final Verdict: A must see for anyone who is a fan of the series.