After nearly three decades of adrenaline-pumping espionage, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning attempts to close the curtain on Ethan Hunt’s legendary run. But does it stick the landing? As a devoted fan of the franchise, I approached this film with high expectations, hoping for a grand spectacle that would honor its legacy while pushing the boundaries of action filmmaking. What I got was a visually stunning, high-stakes adventure that, while exhilarating, stumbles under the weight of its ambition.

The Good: Action That Defies Gravity (and Logic)

Let’s get one thing straight—Tom Cruise is still the last true action star. At 62, he continues to defy physics, logic, and possibly medical advice with his jaw-dropping stunts. The action sequences in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning push the franchise’s signature stunt work to new extremes, but they also feel more grandiose and high-stakes than ever before. Compared to earlier films, this installment leans heavily into practical effects and real-world danger, with Cruise once again performing death-defying stunts that rival his previous feats.

One of the standout sequences is the biplane chase, which has been widely praised as one of the most intense aerial stunts in the franchise. While previous films like Fallout and Rogue Nation delivered unforgettable moments—such as the HALO jump and the underwater vault infiltration—this film raises the stakes by making Ethan Hunt’s survival feel even more precarious.

However, some critics argue that while the action is spectacular, it lacks the tight, grounded intensity of earlier films like Ghost Protocol or Fallout. The sheer scale and complexity of the sequences sometimes overshadow the emotional weight of the story, making them feel more like technical showcases than deeply immersive moments.

The Bad: A Convoluted Plot That Trips Over Itself

Unfortunately, Final Reckoning struggles with its overly complex narrative. The film’s first hour is bogged down by exposition-heavy dialogue, recapping past events, and mythologizing Ethan Hunt to an almost absurd degree. While the stakes—a rogue AI threatening nuclear annihilation—are timely and terrifying, the execution feels bloated and repetitive. The pacing suffers, with moments of brilliance often interrupted by clunky storytelling that lacks the sleek efficiency of earlier installments.

The Cast: A Mixed Bag of Old and New Faces

Cruise remains the heart and soul of the franchise, but the supporting cast delivers varied performances. Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames provide much-needed levity, while Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff shine as compelling new additions. However, Esai Morales’ villain, Gabriel, lacks the menace of previous antagonists, feeling more like a placeholder for the film’s true enemy—The Entity, an AI with god-like control over global security. While the concept is chilling, the execution lacks the visceral impact of a flesh-and-blood adversary.

The Verdict: A Spectacle Worth Watching, But Not the Best in the Series

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a thrilling, visually stunning farewell that delivers on action but falters in storytelling. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Ghost Protocol or Fallout, it remains a worthy sendoff for Ethan Hunt—if not the most satisfying one. Fans will appreciate the nostalgic callbacks, but casual viewers may find themselves lost in the labyrinthine plot.

Is this truly the end? Given Hollywood’s tendency to resurrect franchises, I wouldn’t bet against another impossible mission in the future. But if this is indeed Ethan Hunt’s final ride, at least he goes out doing what he does best—running, jumping, and defying death with a smirk.