⭐️ 3.2/5 – A dazzling display of stunts weighed down by a muddled narrative

Few franchises know how to push the boundaries of cinematic action like Mission Impossible. As a longtime fan, I walked into The Final Reckoning with very high expectations, ready to witness Tom Cruise once again defy death and gravity. But despite its star power and signature high-octane energy, this latest installment left me… underwhelmed.

Let’s be clear: the talent is there. Every new scene introduces another incredible actor, and the production value is as polished as ever. However, the film struggles to deliver a clear, compelling story. The plot feels convoluted, bogged down by over explanations and forced tension. Instead of thrilling clarity, we’re given a “mission” so complex it borders on confusing and not in a fun espionage kind of way.

The main villain, “The Entity,” is a digital threat with global implications, but it’s hard to connect with a non-human antagonist. Gabriel (Esai Morales), one of its human faces, comes off more as a cartoonish plot device than a credible threat. His motivations are vague at best, and much of his role seems engineered simply to move the story forward.

This disconnect is especially obvious in the film’s big set pieces. Take the submarine sequence in which we are that told survival depends on wearing a specific suit, only for Ethan Hunt to abandon it moments later without consequence. It’s not that we mind the suspension of disbelief, this is a Mission: Impossible movie, but the inconsistency undermines the stakes.

Even the franchise’s trademark stunts, the airplane sequences feel oddly out of sync with the film’s tone. It’s thrilling, sure,but it also feels shoehorned in, more about showcasing Cruise’s daredevil spirit than serving the story.

At 169 minutes, the film overstays its welcome. It’s still enjoyable, especially on the big screen, but lacks the tightness and cohesion of its predecessors.

Bottom line? If you’re a fan of the franchise, it’s worth seeing in theaters for the spectacle alone. But here at Truth Be Told, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning earns a solid yet unspectacular 3.2 out of 5 stars.