Rating of
3/4
"I need you to trust me. One last time."
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/05/25
You all misled me… this isn't as bad as Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. This finale provides a fitting conclusion to one of the greatest action franchises ever created.
While it’s incredibly flawed, the movie suffers from pacing issues at the beginning as it sets up what’s to come, even though this part two finale should serve as a payoff. The first half features Ethan trying to convince the president and other CIA officials to allow him to undertake an impossible task independently, which, of course, they refuse to do. Nevertheless, Ethan goes ahead anyway. I felt the slowness at the start, but I still enjoyed the film. This entry relies heavily on flashbacks and nostalgia, and I understand the complaints some fans had about them, especially from die-hard series fans who don’t need reminders. I didn’t mind the flashbacks, though one referenced a scene from just a few minutes earlier, which I found unnecessary.
But when the film gets going, it’s the old Mission: Impossible film we’ve come to love again.
There are two major set pieces in the movie: one takes place in a sunken submarine, while the other occurs during the action climax. Both are incredibly intense, ranking among the best action sequences. Ethan Hunt truly is the living embodiment of destiny. These impossible missions have a 1% survival rate, and Ethan is that 1%. Watching a 60-year-old Tom Cruise hang onto a biplane while being tossed around, especially knowing that the scene was filmed for real with Cruise in the air, risking his life for the audience’s thrilling cinematic experience, was breathtaking. I struggled to catch my breath during those moments. He is the last movie star.
Everything on the technical side is consistently excellent. The movie looks fantastic, and since Ghost Protocol, the quality of these films has been both stylistic and nearly perfect in their filmmaking. The action set pieces, along with the crew dynamic, are always a highlight, especially since the crew, unlike the Fast & Furious crew, feels like a family, making you care about and worry for them.
It’s bittersweet to see this series conclude, but it’s preferable to end on a high note rather than prolong it unnecessarily. Over 29 years, this series has provided an extensive and exhilarating spy adventure that stands out. Before the film began, both the audience and I watched a short video message from Mr. Cruise, expressing his gratitude for our attendance and support of the MI films. The opening monologue includes a message from the U.S. president (Angela Bassett) addressed to Ethan, recognizing his years of service and the many times he has saved the world; in essence, it’s also a thank you to Tom Cruise. As she speaks, a brief slideshow displays clips from the previous seven films. This entire movie felt like a tribute to the Mission series and to Cruise himself. I found myself feeling quite emotional.
While flawed, there’s still so much to love and appreciate on screen. I wonder how this will age with re-watches. Time will tell. For now, it’s a bittersweet goodbye to the IM crew.
Overall rating: Mission accomplished.
