Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the eighth installment in the franchise, and it boldly asks: “What if Ethan Hunt’s greatest enemy was… his own screen time?” Clocking in at nearly three hours, this film challenges audiences to endure a marathon of action sequences, plot twists, and Tom Cruise’s unwavering intensity.

In this chapter, Ethan Hunt faces off against “The Entity,” a rogue AI that has decided the best way to achieve world domination is by confusing everyone with convoluted exposition. The plot, as far as I can tell, involves a submarine, a key that unlocks something important, and a series of increasingly improbable stunts that defy both physics and common sense.

Tom Cruise, ever the daredevil, reportedly performed all his own stunts, including hanging from a biplane, diving into the ocean from an aircraft carrier, and outrunning his own mortality. At 62, Cruise continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible—or advisable—for an action hero.

The supporting cast includes franchise regulars like Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, who provide comic relief and technobabble, respectively. Newcomers like Nick Offerman and Hannah Waddingham add gravitas and a touch of British sarcasm to the proceedings.

Despite its bloated runtime and labyrinthine plot, The Final Reckoning delivers the high-octane thrills fans have come to expect. I haven’t seen it, but based on the trailers and Cruise’s track record, it’s safe to assume that Ethan Hunt saves the world—again—just in time for the credits to roll.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 self-destructing messages