Review: 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' delivers big on action, story, fun

23 May 2025, 01:40 by John Clyde kslcom contributor · KSL.com

Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

KEY TAKEAWAYS

'Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning' delivers thrilling action and engaging narrative.
The film balances explosive action with a complex, yet coherent story.
Rated PG-13, it's a must-see for fans, best experienced on the big screen.

The "Mission: Impossible" franchise and I have a long-running history. We first met in 1996 and while I didn't understand what was going on I still loved it and watched it over and over once it hit VHS.

Then "M:I 2" came out, and let's just say it was a brutal breakup. As much as I wanted to like it, I couldn't do it. It's still a sensitive subject. Then we got No. 3 in 2006. I didn't see it in the theater because the second installment was such a train wreck. A friend convinced me to finally watch it and I'm so happy I did, because I loved it. J.J. Abrams found that perfect balance between the cerebral thriller of the first film and the big action of the second set the franchise on the right track.

Then we kept getting spoiled with each film seemingly getting better and better. Now, nearly 30 years after "M:I" and I started our long relationship, we have "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," and I am happy to say that things are still well between us. In fact, we couldn't be doing better.

These movies are everything a popcorn flick should be: entertaining, thrilling, and made for the big screen. "The Final Reckoning" is no different, picking up right where "Dead Reckoning" left off, and keeping the momentum going with some of the best action sequences the franchise has to offer.

Here's why I think "The Final Reckoning" is a brilliant addition to the already strong "Mission: Impossible" catalog.

Action with a purpose

One thing the "Mission: Impossible" franchise has always excelled at is delivering action, and "The Final Reckoning" continues that tradition.

From the first frame, the movie doesn't waste time getting to the high-octane thrills. Each action set piece seems to top the last, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning."Paramount Pictures and Skydance

What I love about these films, especially in "The Final Reckoning", is that the action never feels gratuitous. Take the HALO jump in "Fallout", for example. Tom Cruise had wanted to do that for years, and instead of just throwing it in for spectacle's sake, it actually served the story. "The Final Reckoning" follows that same blueprint, and there's one underwater scene and another aerial sequence that are jaw-dropping in their execution. They aren't just there for the sake of "wow factor" — they make sense within the narrative and elevate the stakes of the film.

These sequences aren't the usual mindless stunts; they keep us engaged by serving the plot, something the "Mission: Impossible" films have consistently done right. Possibly with the exception of No. 2, but that's a discussion for another day.

A fun and engaging narrative

It's not just about the action. One of the reasons "Mission: Impossible" continues to captivate audiences is because there's a real story here; one that we care about. "The Final Reckoning" may juggle several moving parts, but it never loses focus. Cruise and longtime collaborator Christopher McQuarrie have mastered the balance of keeping the action explosive while still weaving a story that demands attention.

Is the story complex? Yes. At times, it feels like it's veering into "too complex" territory, but it always rights itself, keeping us on our toes without leaving us lost in the weeds.

There are a lot of twists and turns, but the film avoids becoming a convoluted mess. The beauty of Cruise and McQuarrie's collaboration is that, even in the most intricate parts of the film, we're still along for the ride. It's a blockbuster that also makes you think, not just switch off your brain and enjoy the spectacle.

Pays homage without overdoing it

In any long-running franchise, there's always the risk of leaning too heavily into nostalgia. Thankfully, "The Final Reckoning" does a great job of paying homage to its predecessors without overindulging in fan service.

There's one plot twist that ties back to earlier films, and while it may feel like a bit too much of a coincidence, it doesn't derail the movie. In fact, it fits well within the context of the narrative, and even though it's a little silly, it didn't take me out of the experience. Sometimes, a little fan service is just what a movie like this needs, and "The Final Reckoning" finds that sweet spot.

Still not the best of the series, but close

While "The Final Reckoning" is an incredibly fun time at the theater I wouldn't call it my favorite in the franchise. There's still something magical about "Fallout" that feels hard to top, but "The Final Reckoning" is making a case for itself to be battling for one of the top spots in the franchise.

This movie is big screen or bust

"The Final Reckoning" is a movie that demands to be seen on the big screen. It isn't a film you'll want to watch on your couch; it was made for the biggest screen and the best sound system possible. If you've been a fan of the franchise and have enjoyed its thrilling action sequences, then this one is a must-see in the theater.

I loved going to the theater as a kid and I feel like the 90s were a golden age for fun, energetic, and insanely entertaining movies made for the silver screen. "The Final Reckoning" reminds me of those days and makes me feel like a 12-year-old sitting down in the theater with a couple of buddies, some snacks we snuck in from the dollar store, and just enough change to call my mom when the movie was over so she could come pick us up.

What parents should know

"Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" is rated PG-13 for intense action sequences, some strong language, and brief suggestive content. While the violence isn't overly graphic, the high-speed chases, fight scenes, and explosions might be too intense for younger audiences.

There's also some strong language peppered throughout, as you'd expect in a film of this genre. Overall, it's a solid choice for older teens and adult moviegoers who want a thrilling ride.

Conclusion

"Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" may not be the best of the series, but it's a top-tier action movie that delivers exactly what it promises: thrills, excitement, and a well-crafted story. Cruise and McQuarrie continue to prove they are the gold standard in blockbuster filmmaking, knowing exactly how to entertain us while keeping things fresh. While it's not perfect, it is a perfect way to kick off the summer movie season.

If you're a fan of the franchise, this is a movie you won't want to miss. It's a ride that deserves to be seen in theaters, and it's exactly the type of film that's made for the big screen.

"Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" is officially rated PG-13 for intense action sequences, language and brief suggestive content.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.