This final Mission: Impossible adventure is filled with impressive sequences but the story feels a little convoluted in places.
This latest in the Mission Impossible series is filled with all the action and thrills that we have come to expect – but somewhat more unexpectedly there is a big dose of emotion and nostalgia on display as well.
As a continuation of the previous outing ‘Dead Reckoning’, the eight film sees Ethan Hunt facing his most difficult opponent to date: an AI programme named “the Entity” which is controlled by Gabriel and has the power to bring down the world. Along the way there are references to the previous films (with some aspects actually tying in nicely with this plot) and plenty of incredible stunts carried out (just a reminder Tom Cruise is 62 making it even more incredible that he continues to do a lot of his own stunts).
Co-written by director Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, there is a great intensity on display throughout – even if it occasionally feels a little bit convoluted, adding some unnecessary time to the length of the film. But it does have to be said that the story is tied up overall very satisfactorily.
For fans of the franchise, there is plenty of action and some impressive fight scenes (including a well choreographed one on a submarine) that will thrill and excite, while the finale in which involves impressive stunt work involving a plane does keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Everything in terms of the action sequences are of the highest quality that we have come to expect from the series.
The cast are all fantastic – even if there isn’t that much room for development as there is so much going on elsewhere. At the centre of it all, Tom Cruise puts in a stellar performance as Ethan, showing the characters grit and determination to get to the bottom of every situation no matter what it costs him personally while as we know the amount he puts himself through physically is just as impressive now as it is when the film series started out.
But it is also fantastic to see that the female characters play a key role in this film as well. Hayley Atwell as Grace more than hold her own in every scene that she is in – including the fight sequences that have been well choreographed. Meanwhile, Pom Alexandra Klementieff as Paris also makes a strong impression, but it would have been interesting to find out more about her character.
Overall, this is a heart-pounding adventure that does live up to expectations – it just would have been better if the plot didn’t come across as unnecessarily complicated. A worthy conclusion (if that is indeed the case) to an exciting franchise.
By Emma Clarendon
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is out in cinemas now.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️