Mission: Impossible – A Farewell That Feels a Little Too Familiar?
It’s been nearly 30 years since Brian De Palma’s first “Mission: Impossible.” Now, seven films and an insane number of death-defying stunts later, Tom Cruise is embarking on what might be his most daring mission yet: bidding farewell to Ethan Hunt, the entire IMF division, and the adrenaline-pumping shoots that have thrilled both actor and audiences alike. Yet, doubts linger, and one gets the impression that Tom might want to stick around.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning”
The Stakes are Higher Than Ever
“Dead Reckoning” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) a few months after the Innsbruck train brawl. The AI entity known as “The Entity” has grown in power, seized control of global nuclear arsenals, and now dictates the news cycle, flooding media outlets with fake news. Gabriel (Esai Morales) continues to support the AI’s imperial ambitions, steadfastly believing in his virtual companion’s prophetic abilities. The U.S. government, led by Madam President (Angela Bassett), assesses the risks but decides to entrust the fate of the world to Ethan Hunt. The IMF has 72 hours to find a device containing the source code on the submarine “Sevastopol” (the same key from the previous installment unlocks the “casket”!) and neutralize the rogue AI, preventing a global nuclear winter.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning”
A Nostalgic Nod to the Fans
From its opening scenes, “Dead Reckoning” embraces franchise fans with a nostalgic montage and a voiceover that seems to acknowledge, without pretense, that it’s time to say goodbye. While there hasn’t been an official announcement that the eighth “Mission” will be the last, it seems the final decision will be made after the box office numbers are tallied. Nevertheless, this installment feels like a “farewell party” for the dedicated. While “Fallout” or “Ghost Protocol” were welcoming to casual viewers seeking high-octane action without commitment, “Dead Reckoning” is tailored exclusively for those in a long-term (perhaps even monogamous) relationship with the franchise. The fan service is confident, delivering cameos from previous installments (some unexpected!), revisiting key moments, pulling off masks, and indulging in sentimental monologues about past choices.
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning”
Stunts That Still Take Your Breath Away
Ethan’s past exploits build upon each other, leading to his current predicament. The weight of national security failures rests on his shoulders (legs, torso, and probably even his forehead). However, the truly terrifying world controlled by “alternative facts” and the predetermination that machines can calculate remain a backdrop for the stunts. Ethan Hunt raises the banner of the last hero, much like Tom Cruise, who has cemented his status as the last Hollywood movie star. Photos and videos from the set have already teased the insane stunts of the eighth chapter: Tom Cruise flying a biplane, Tom Cruise diving to a sunken submarine in the Bering Sea. The siege of a small plane and the selfless acrobatics in the air were breathtaking even in the promotional spots. Can any critical text find words more convincing than “wow”? Beyond any (frankly, optional) dramatic structures, it’s hard not to marvel at the possibilities and ingenuity of the staging. The submarine infiltration segment is charged with cinematic energy and the chilling allure of the deep. Perhaps the ruined interior of the “Sevastopol” is the most terrifying episode in the entire franchise.
A Farewell That Might Not Be Forever
Despite the dramatic tension and the high stakes of planetary demise, there’s little doubt that this mission is possible – even with the script-driven risks of Ethan Hunt’s death (no spoilers!). The plot follows a familiar MacGuffin hunt template, refined by previous installments, and the chosen hero’s pathos has lost almost all irony (which was present, for example, in “Rogue Nation” or the aforementioned “Ghost Protocol”). This selflessness feels not just old-fashioned but almost too somber. However, the focus is on saying goodbye not just to Hunt but to the entire IMF division. The celebration of the heroes of the day is genuinely touching (perhaps for any workaholics who see their colleagues more often than their family and friends). The replacement of the leading lady is somewhat unsettling: Grace (Hayley Atwell) seamlessly takes the place of Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), whose death wasn’t mourned for very long (perhaps the audience mourns longer). And perhaps because of this, or because of the loopholes for a reunion, there’s a sense that this farewell is a bit of a charade, a prolonged vacation where Ethan finally won’t answer his phone.