One Last Time? ("Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning" Review)

 Many that are fans of the Mission Impossible franchise consider "M:i-2" (or "Mission Impossible 2") as the worst film of the bunch. I, however, remember the film and the moviegoing experience fondly. Mainly because one of my favorite bands, Metallica, released a single ("I Disappear") for the film. And this may be a bit of a pessimistic take, but as a child of the '80's and '90's, the year 2000 was the final hurrah. I don't want to believe that it was all downhill from there, but it's really been one thing after another. 9/11. The Great Financial Crisis. The division of Americans. Covid. The New Gilded Age. I'm trying my absolute best to see a silver lining and hope for brighter days, and I still think there will be. But sometimes I do feel like it's an unachievable dream. So going to the theaters, pre 9/11, entering a new digital age but not the noisy social media craziness that exists today, and going to see a blockbuster starring Tom Cruise now seems like the last gasp of the old world. I may be a bit dramatic about that, but that's how I feel about this franchise. It has a special place in my heart.

So going to see what may possibly be the final installment of the Mission Impossible franchise was a bit bittersweet. I rolled into the theaters, blasting Limp Bizkit's "Take A Look Around" and that now famous Metallica song (thanks to the whole Napster drama), ready for one more adventure.

I have to admit that this film is a bit lengthy. It's not so long as to be unbearable, but you do feel the time. I was fine with it, being that this may be it. But for others maybe curious about seeing the film, I know that runtime is probably making the decision for them. And as great of a production as it is, there is a lot of exposition explaining the previous film. And that's normally a flaw for a film that spent an entire previous installment explaining this mission. For some reason the flashback sequences seem to tack on more time, though if this truly IS the last dance, then I understand. And the action is fantastic, but there's a certain submarine sequence midway through where you really have to suspend your disbelief. It's a truly unbelievable sequence, in more ways than one.

But the film concludes with what is possibly a highlight of the entire series, which is a plane chase. I won't say anymore than that. If you enjoyed the previous films touting the incredible stunt work of Tom Cruise then you'll love this finale. It's worth the price of admission.

So as a fan of this franchise I recommend the film. For casual fans who don't want that long runtime, maybe catch it when it comes out on streaming or digital. You can go at your own pace. And having said that, I will miss this franchise. I will miss heading out to the theater hyping myself up with Mission Impossible rock anthems from the year 2000. I will miss the death defying stunts and exotic locations. Every single installment put in incredible production quality and you saw it on the screen. As a lifelong moviegoer, I deeply appreciate that.