Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the seventh entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise. With director Christopher McQuarrie returning once again, the film stars Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Easi Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, and Henry Czerny. Ethan Hunt and IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the world’s fate at stake and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe beings. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan must consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

I’ve revised the film before on the page, but it has been quite some time since I reviewed it, plus I’m revisiting the entire franchise. After Fallout, I genuinely believed there was no way another entry could top that one. While this new entry continues to raise the stakes between the plot and the action, McQuarrie & Cruise have the right idea that if they want to keep going, they have to sort of go back to basics and deliver aspects of the earlier films. It’s something the Fast & Furious franchise desperately wants to do, but ultimately won’t be able to do at this point. Mission: Impossible got it right.

Something that I have seen that others don’t like that I personally like out of the franchise is the dialogue. To be fair, I can understand why others wouldn’t like it as it seems like the films succeed when it leans more into the action. This one clearly wears the influences of the first entry on its sleeve between the dialogue and the cinematography. This is something I really liked about the first one that I’m glad the franchise took the time to go back to.

Starting off with the longest intro before the credits roll in, the film knows how to page itself quite well. By the time the real first action set piece kicks in at the airport, it still feels like the beginning of the film. Once the scene finishes, the film is at the 1 hour mark, but it only feels like 30 minutes. It’s easy to recognize this being the longest out of the franchise, but I never once felt it.

With the addition of Hayley Atwell, the film continues to expand its core group with an extremely likable character. I did have a theory that she might be Hunt’s daughter due to the new information we learn about Hunt’s beginning. Based on what I’m hearing, I don’t think that’s the case. Though, that would have been really cool to see Hunt’s legacy live in after him with such a likable character.

Once again, the action set pieces deliver. The film doesn’t solely rely on the score. There are still moments where you just hear the sound of the environment, helping immerse you further into the action. The film continues to rely on practicality with moments of CGI to enhance the scene. That’s how CGI should be done. To help enhance the scene. Don’t just fully rely on it.

As a part one, the film still feels conclusive. Again, take notes Fast & Furious. It has a great story that deepens the lore and character of Ethan Hunt. Even though I still have questions, I’m satisfied with what we got here as long as The Final Reckoning delivers on that. Even with the addition of bringing back Henry Czerny, the film understands perfectly that in order to move forward, they have to go back.

The writing doesn’t always deliver though. I completely respect Rebecca Ferguson’s decision to leave the franchise. She is a talented actress and deserves to do more things. I just don’t personally agree with how they choose to end her story. I don’t believe her character would go out like that when her character had plenty of opportunities to leave for good. Even with killing her twice, I don’t know why that was needed unless they really wanted to surprise you, but it’s just a gut punch to the fans. Lastly, I’m surprised by how no one else has brought up the fact that when Grace disguises as The White Widow, no one notices that her eye color is different. How would no one notice, even her own brother?

Overall, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is another solid entry that proves why it exists. Aside from a few story flaws, the film delivers by raising the stakes both in terms of plot and with action. It’s a standout in the franchise that manages to keep the momentum going after Fallout.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 (Amazing)