A Rollercoaster of Reactions
Nothing prepared me for the rollercoaster of emotions that is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This film, touted as the grand finale to one of Hollywood's most enduring action franchises, has left critics and fans alike with a case of whiplash. Is it a masterpiece or a mess? The answer, it seems, depends on who you ask. Like a high-speed chase that thrills but occasionally veers off course, the film's ambition is both its strength and its Achilles' heel.
Ahead of its glitzy Cannes debut on May 14, 2025, and worldwide release on May 23, 2025, press screenings have sparked a firestorm of opinions. Some hail it as the action movie of the summer, while others lament its bloated runtime and narrative missteps. Let's dive into why this final mission is dividing audiences—and whether it's worth your ticket.
The Good: Jaw-Dropping Action
The Mission: Impossible franchise has always been about pushing limits, and The Final Reckoning delivers on that promise. Tom Cruise, at 62, continues to defy gravity (and common sense) with practical stunts that leave jaws on the floor. From heart-stopping chases to vertigo-inducing setpieces, the film is a love letter to big-screen spectacle.
Film critic Anthony Gagliardi captured the enthusiasm, posting on X: “#MissionImpossible – The Final Reckoning is the ACTION MOVIE OF THE SUMMER! @TomCruise DEFIES ALL ODDS with JAW-DROPPING action built only for @IMAX” (X post). Another X user, @andrewkorpan1, echoed this, saying, “I am thrilled to say Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie stick the landing with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING. There are some intense sequences they let breathe to full effectiveness” (X post).
The film's technical prowess, especially its use of IMAX, is undeniable. As @patbreviews noted, “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE THE FINAL RECKONING takes its sweet time getting started, but once the fuse is lit, it explodes into some of the most JAW-DROPPING MOMENTS the franchise has ever seen” (X post). For fans of the series' signature adrenaline rush, this is Mission: Impossible at its most audacious.
The Bad: A Bloated Narrative
But here's the uncomfortable truth: ambition can be a double-edged sword. At 170 minutes, The Final Reckoning tests audience patience. Critics argue that its sprawling plot—centered on Ethan Hunt's race to stop a rogue AI called “the Entity”—sacrifices pacing and character development for spectacle. The film's dense exposition and nostalgic nods to past entries sometimes feel like a franchise buckling under its own weight.
David Ehrlich from Indiewire didn't mince words: “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is dull and dysfunctional in a way I didn't think this franchise was capable of. Setpieces are obviously incredible, but as someone so supportive of Tom Cruise's crusade to save the movies and whatnot, this was a massive heartbreaker” (GoldDerby). Similarly, /Film's Chris Evangelista called it “extremely messy, with way too much exposition,” though he admitted the finale was “so jaw-dropping and intense I felt like I was going to throw up (complimentary)” (SlashFilm).
X user @JamesPPoole summed up the criticism: “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING can sometimes be M:I at its best, massive stunts and dense spycraft included. Sadly, it gets bogged down in so much nostalgia and needless retcons that it reflects the worst of franchise filmmaking” (X post). For every pulse-pounding moment, there's a stretch that feels like it's trying to do too much.
Historical Context: The Franchise Finale Trap
To understand why The Final Reckoning is so divisive, let's look at the Mission: Impossible legacy. Since 1996, the series has evolved from a stylish spy thriller to a global phenomenon, grossing over $1 billion collectively, with 2018's Fallout as its critical and commercial peak (Variety). Each film has upped the ante on stunts and scale, but finales face unique pressure to tie up loose ends while delivering fresh thrills.
This isn't new in Hollywood. Avengers: Endgame (2019) wowed fans with emotional payoffs but felt overstuffed to some. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) faced harsher criticism for its convoluted plot and fan-service overload. The Final Reckoning treads similar ground, balancing callbacks to earlier films with a new AI-driven threat. Its mixed reception suggests it may not satisfy everyone, but its technical achievements—like Cruise's stunts and McQuarrie's operatic direction—set it apart from lesser blockbusters.
| Film | Year | Runtime | Critical Reception | Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission: Impossible—Fallout | 2018 | 147 min | Widely praised | $791M |
| Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | 181 min | Mostly positive | $2.8B |
| Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | 142 min | Mixed | $1.1B |
| Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning | 2025 | 170 min | Mixed (early reactions) | TBD |
Box Office Stakes and Fan Loyalty
With a reported $400 million production budget, The Final Reckoning needs to gross around $1 billion to break even—a daunting task given the mixed buzz (World of Reel). Early projections estimate an $80 million opening weekend, but negative reviews could shave off millions. Still, the franchise's loyal fanbase and Cruise's star power are formidable. As X user @DarkOfTheMovie declared, “No negative Mission Impossible Final Reckoning review can fool me. When Tom Cruise tells you to trust him one last time, you do as you're told” (X post).
A Film That Demands the Big Screen
You'll either love this or hate it. Here's why: The Final Reckoning is a paradox—a film that soars with ambition but stumbles under its own weight. Its action sequences are a masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking, but its narrative sprawl may leave you checking your watch. Yet, there's no denying Cruise's commitment. This is a movie that begs to be experienced in IMAX, where every stunt hits like a thunderbolt.
As the Mission: Impossible saga (maybe) draws to a close, it's a testament to Cruise's relentless pursuit of cinematic spectacle. Whether it's remembered as a triumphant finale or a flawed epic, it's a conversation starter. Would you risk missing out on what could be the most talked-about movie of the summer? Share your thoughts below.
