Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning – A Mixed Farewell to Ethan Hunt (Movie Watch Diary #17)
Hello, movie lovers! Welcome back to my blog and my seventeenth Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! Today, I’m diving into Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025), directed by Christopher McQuarrie. As the eighth and final installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, this film delivers nostalgic ties and jaw-dropping stunts but stumbles with a sluggish start. It left me with mixed feelings, earning a 7/10. Stick around to hear what worked, what didn’t, and help me pick my next watch!
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) - A Blockbuster with Solid Scores
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, released May 23, 2025, by Paramount Pictures, has garnered respectable ratings: a 7.3/10 on IMDb (from thousands of votes) and an 80% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (from 417 reviews, with a 90% Popcornmeter audience score). With a budget estimated at $300-400 million, it grossed $598 million worldwide, boasting the franchise’s biggest opening weekend at $64 million but struggling to break even due to its high cost.
The Plot: Ethan’s Final Mission
Set two months after Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), the story follows Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), now retired and training IMF recruits. He’s pulled back for one last mission to stop the Entity, a rogue AI infiltrating global intelligence, and its human proxy, Gabriel (Esai Morales). Joined by Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Grace (Hayley Atwell), and new allies like US President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett), Ethan races to secure the “Podkova” module from the sunken Sevastopol submarine to destroy the Entity. The mission pits him against governments, Russian forces, and a ghost from his past—William Donloe (Rolf Saxon), the CIA analyst from the original 1996 Mission: Impossible, whose career was ruined when Ethan stole the NOC list in that iconic vault heist.
A Slow Start with Nostalgic Ties
Unlike the high-octane Mission: Impossible films we’re used to, The Final Reckoning starts slow. Ethan’s in a brooding, melancholic state, and the first third feels like a slog, weighed down by excessive flashbacks—not just to Dead Reckoning Part One but across the franchise, including clips from 1996’s Mission: Impossible. The return of William Donloe is a brilliant nod, tying the series’ beginning to its end. His reappearance, now embittered from Ethan’s past betrayal, adds a layer of closure for longtime fans, reminding us of the daring NOC list theft that defined Ethan’s legend. But the heavy exposition and nearly three-hour runtime (170 minutes) make it feel bloated, especially if you haven’t seen Dead Reckoning Part One, which is essential for context.
Action That Delivers
Once the film shifts gears, it’s pure Mission: Impossible magic. The submarine infiltration sequence is tense and claustrophobic, with Ethan navigating tight spaces underwater—an IMAX standout that expands the aspect ratio for full immersion. The plane stunt, where Tom Cruise climbs a biplane at 8,000 feet, is heart-stopping, blending Ian Fleming’s spy flair with Buster Keaton’s physical comedy. These moments, authentic and exhilarating, recapture the franchise’s spirit of death-defying spectacle. The president’s video message to Ethan, thanking him for his service, feels like a heartfelt farewell to the series that’s thrilled us with disguises and action since 1996.
A Flawed Finale
The film’s attempt to wrap up the franchise feels ambitious but overcooked. It should’ve been titled Dead Reckoning Part Two to clarify its direct continuation, as it leans heavily on the previous film’s setup. Compared to Dead Reckoning Part One (my 8.5/10), which had more action, humor, and thrill, The Final Reckoning tries too hard to tie every loose end, losing some of the series’ fun along the way. The nostalgic callbacks, like Donloe’s return, are a treat, but the slow pacing and repetitive exposition drag it down.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is a solid but flawed finale. The action peaks—like the submarine and plane sequences—are unforgettable, and Donloe’s return adds nostalgic depth, but the slow start and long runtime hold it back. I give it a 7/10, recommending you watch Dead Reckoning Part One first for the full experience. If you’re a spy thriller fan or love the Mission: Impossible series, it’s worth seeing for its epic moments and Cruise’s relentless commitment.
That’s it for Movie Watch Diary #17! What did you think of The Final Reckoning? Did Donloe’s return excite you, or did the flashbacks bore you? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and here’s the big one: suggest a movie for my next Movie Watch Diary! I’m craving something action-packed or bold to keep the streak alive, so hit me with your picks. If you enjoyed this post, please like, follow, and share so you don’t miss the next hunt. Thanks for joining me—see you in the next one!
See also: Movie Watch Diary #16: 28 Years Later – A Haunting Family Drama Amid Zombie Chaos
