I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the NYC red carpet premiere for ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ which marks the eighth and purportedly final installment in the franchise. The film has breathtaking stunts, with Tom Cruise once again pushing the boundaries of action cinema.
The film ties together over 30 years of franchise history, introducing parasitic artificial intelligence as the central antagonist.
Cruise anchors the film with his unwavering intensity, physical dedication, and stoic resolve. The main cast members and supporting cast are also great.
Director Christopher McQuarrie continues his commitment to practical stunts, coordinating with Cruise to deliver some of the most jaw-dropping action ever seen on film. The tone is more solemn and introspective than previous entries, with a focus on legacy.
The wing-walking stunt on a biplane flying over South Africa was spectacular. Cruise mastered the scene and even performed a zero-gravity walk between the plane’s wings. Cruise’s stunt work is a testament to both authenticity and intensity rather than relying heavily on CGI.
Another standout action sequence involves a tense scene in a sunken submarine. This claustrophobic underwater set piece masterfully blends suspense and spectacle, immersing viewers in a nerve-wracking environment where visibility is low and survival hinges on quick thinking and raw determination. Cruise navigates waterlogged chambers while holding his breath for extended periods which was reminiscent of his underwater work in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
The stunt work in Final Reckoning Part 2 is storytelling through physical stakes and the movie solidifies Tom Cruise’s legacy as a full-throttle cinematic daredevil. For fans of real action, this movie is a must-see. 10/10
