Tom Cruise Puts It All on the Line in the Last Mission
When you hear about Tom Cruise doing his own stunts, you know you’re in for a show. But with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, he takes the adrenaline-fueled madness to heights even longtime fans might not have expected. This last chapter isn’t just another wild ride—it’s a head-first plunge into high-stakes action, tugging hard on nostalgia while raising the bar for practical effects. Christopher McQuarrie is back in the director’s chair, and he’s clearly determined to send Cruise’s Ethan Hunt off with a bang (actually, more like several spectacular bangs).
The story picks up with Ethan Hunt facing, you guessed it, near-impossible odds to recover critical tech that could change the stakes for global security once again. But this time, it’s not only about world-saving—there’s an undercurrent of legacy and camaraderie that feels richer than before. The film drops you straight into a Russian submarine wreck for an extended underwater sequence that’ll have you holding your breath right alongside Cruise. It’s more than just special effects. Cruise physically trained, sometimes staying submerged for jaw-dropping stretches as Hunt solves deadly puzzles and dodges danger—all with those classic ‘how did they even film this?’ vibes.
Stunts That Defy Belief—and Gravity
Of course, a Mission: Impossible film wouldn’t be complete without Cruise risking his neck for our entertainment. The real showstopper here? A biplane wing-walking sequence, with Cruise gripping the top of a plane as it tears through the sky at 140 mph. That’s not CGI smoke and mirrors—the cameras roll as Cruise balances, wind whipping, performing one of the boldest practical stunts ever attempted in the series. The sequence is already being called a standout in action movie history, and honestly, it makes you question his survival instinct in the best way possible.
The action isn’t the only thing giving fans a nod. Familiar faces return, with Simon Pegg moving Benji Dunn into more of a leadership spotlight, and Esai Morales chilling as the recurring bad guy, Gabriel. There’s also a shake-up with fresh additions like Pom Klementieff, who turns a former foe, Paris, into a surprising ally, and Greg Tarzan Davis dropping into the chaos. Some plot threads are tough to track—critics have called out the movie’s tangled storylines and relationships that don’t always land—but the film’s heart is definitely in its tribute to everything that’s made Mission: Impossible a blockbuster staple.
The runtime stretches to nearly three hours, but McQuarrie’s direction keeps the tension humming. There’s no denying the love-letter approach as iconic stunts pile up, blending old-school spy vibes, a touch of sentimentality, and the relentless pace fans have come to crave. Even when the script swerves into over-complicated territory, it’s hard not to grin at the sheer spectacle pouring onto the screen. Cruise’s unwavering commitment makes this a true event movie, and the film isn’t shy about squeezing every ounce of nostalgia from its goodbye to Ethan Hunt’s era. The stakes don’t feel higher—they feel final, and that’s what fans have been waiting for.
May, 15 2025