MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen, Bruce Gellar, Skydance and Paramount Pictures is the mission of all missions with MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is on the trail of Gabriel (Esai Morales) and the AI known as The Entity that is attempting to control the world. Gabriel wants it so that he can shape the world as he sees fit but when Hunt comes in contact with the Entity, he learns what it wants and how to get it. What it wants is the drive aboard the sunken submarine Sevastopol. Hunt, along with Benji (Simon Pegg), visit Luther (Ving Rhames) who has created something that could stop The Entity.

Gabriel is several steps ahead, as Hunt adds Paris (Pom Klementieff), Degas (Greg Davis) and Grace (Hayley Atwell) and they make a intense plan to stop the madness. One person who can destroy the plans is Kittridge (Henry Czemy) who will stop at nothing to nail Hunt along with Briggs (Shea Whigham). When Hunt is before President Sloane (Angela Bassett), he makes it clear that his one goal is to get what The Entity wants and asks for trust. Going against her counsel, President Sloane realizes there are only three days and places her trust in the man no one else trusts. The team makes there way to the coldest part of the world and with countries on high alert of one another, they know that The Entity is trying to gain control of nuclear weapons all over the world.

Each person on the team realizes that every step they take brings them closer to two possibilities of destruction and a slim chance of stopping it. Weaving between the two options with Gabriel and The Entity in the mix means Hunt is pushing everything to the limits as the seconds count down.

Cruise as Hunt definitely puts himself into this film. He has taken this role, beginning in 1996, through so many twists, turns and action to keep audiences riveted. Each has brought this Final Reckoning and Cruise has cemented this character in the sense that you can’t say Mission Impossible without Cruises’ name being mention. In this film, Cruise continues with the danger and action that will not disappoint.

Atwell as Grace is back with her five finger discount abilities and support of everything Hunt has planned – even if its frightening. She has shown her own abilities to be a strong member of this ‘outlaw’ team. Whigham as Briggs sees what Hunt is trying to accomplish and also supports it and willing to put himself in the middle of it all. Whigham gives his character strength and power needed to be on the team.

Pegg as Benji is seen by Hunt as a leader when there needs to be one and he understands him without having to say much out loud. I just love Pegg no matter what but was thrilled when he became part of the Mission Impossible franchise. Rhames as Luther is the mad genius behind what could be the answer to stopping the madness. Again, having Rhames on board is another character the franchise has counted on and he never disappoints.

Klementieff as Paris might not have a lot to say but she speaks volumes with her eyes. When the need arises, Paris isn’t about to let Gabriel off the hook for what he has done to her. Czemy as Kittridge has always irritated me and that’s what makes his performance so cool. He has managed throughout each film to be the thorn in Hunt’s side and it reaches the audience as well. Bassett as President Sloane is under the gun to try to save as many people as possible in the midst of the chaos. When it comes down to it, she puts her trust in Hunt down to the last second. I am a huge fan of Bassett and as she bounces between film and television, she does so flawlessly.

Morales as Gabriel is a twisted smile character that even when things go wrong, he doesn’t let it slow down the pace of the characters madness. There is a certain touch of lunacy that Morales brings to this character mixed with a grudge against the IMF and Hunt. He makes his plans very clear and Morales does a fantastic job of freaking me out.

Other cast includes Tramell Tillman as Captain Bledsoe, Mark Gatiss as Angstrom, Katy O’Brian as Kodiak, Tommie Earl Jenkins as Col. Burdick, Charles Parnell as Richards, Hannah Waddingham as Admiral Neely, Nick Offerman as General Sydney, Janet McTeer as Walters, Holt McCallany as Serling, and Pasha Lynchnikoff as Captain Koltsov.

Shout out to Rolf Saxon as William Donloe and Lucy Tulugarjuk as Tapeesa.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning is a film that doesn’t let off the gas! The beginning is Hunt hearing what is happening world wide and even with people after him, he is asked to do what he does best. It is a crazy duality placed on this character as one who people want to stop for their own personal reasons (mainly jealousy to my way of thinking) and wanting him to succeed at the missions.

Another aspect of the film is that each of the characters has such a tremendous story of their own to tell within the big picture. From the Commander of the carrier to the Commander of the submarine, watching the chain of events and those who go against the grain to help Hunt’s character added such layers to the story and action. There are easter-eggs here and there that were very cool and that’s all I will say about that.

Clocking in at two hours and forty-nine minutes, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning didn’t drag at all. It is difficult enough to keep an audience’s attention for that long and this film did it seamlessly. I never look before seeing a film at the running time because I want to be taken for a ride with no expectations. It is as if the film starts out at a deliberate pace and then grabs as if to say, ‘hang on, this is going to get good’ and I was all for it.

Well done cinematography, well done story and well-done action and adventure. That’s why we go to the movies in the first place right? We want to be swept away into a suspension of disbelief and Cruise and cast does exactly that with the words ‘our lives are the sum of our choices’. Every choice, every mission, has all led to this. Experience the most epic chapter yet of Ethan Hunt’s journey, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, on the largest screen in @IMAX for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

In the end – trust him one last time!

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One

 

           

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and Paramount Pictures is the return of action, the IMF team and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One.

The Sevastopol submarine takes its voyage and on board is a new capability that would allow it to have stealth capabilities. When an accident happens to the sub, governments go into high gear. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) receives a package and instructions (if he accepts) to find a key. Not given any information about it, he tracks down Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) in the Namib desert.

That leads Ethan to deal with Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) to learn of an artificial intelligence called the Entity. Now it is out of control finding its way into military systems and getting any information that it wants. All the countries with military powers race to try and save what they can knowing they can only get that control with the key which is in two parts.

Ethan recruits Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) back into the fold. Believing they know who has half of the key, the trickery begins at the Abu Dhabi Airport. What they don’t count on is two things, one – Jasper Briggs (Shea Whigham) who, along with Degas (Greg Davis), is determined to capture Hunt. The second is slick pick pocket Grace (Hayley Atwell) who is just as quick at Hunt and grabs the key.

Hunt is on the road again to the streets of Rome and after trying to retrieve the key from Grace, he must also deal with Alanna Mitsopolis (Vanessa Kirby) as she knows the all the information about the key and the deadly Paris (Pom Klementieff). There is a third party to the chase along with Alanna that Hunt remembers well, Gabriel (Esai Morales) sees himself as the dark angel and a mission far darker than Hunt can imagine.

Now on a train, everyone has gathered to get the key and kill anyone who tries to stop them. Hunt and Grace work together to bring down those who would put the two pieces together bringing more power to the Entity.

The mission is far from over.

Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt and he makes it seamless. The last MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Fallout came into theatres in 2018 and five years later it feels as if no time has passed. As Hunt, Cruise gives us everything in the way of action, suspense, mystery, intrigue and more car chases than the law allows. If this is his last time in the role of Ethan Hunt, he certainly is making sure that we all enjoy the ride.

Atwell as Grace ran my nerves into the ground. Lucky I wasn’t Ethan Hunt because she wouldn’t have made it out of the airport. As good as Hunt is with his disguises is how good Grace is at pick pocketing. Given the choice of things, she joins in to retrieve the two pieces of the key and learns that being part of the IMF means living moment to moment. Atwell got her chance to be a part of the action and did it well.

Morales as Gabriel just gave me the skeevies and that is the point. You see Gabriel coming you might want to run the other way, but then again catching people seems to be a past time for him. There is a history between he and Hunt and it is about to get nasty. It is so good to see Morales in such a viciously delicious role. Czerny as Kittridge has always worked my last nerve and its good to see he doesn’t disappoint thing time either. Kittridge has his game to play and he doesn’t care who goes down to win.

Kirby as Mitsopolis is sly, dangerous and will play whatever side helps her win. The key holds power and she wants ever bit of it. Kirby is very cool and collected, even when things are a bit, shall we say, woozy. Klementieff as Paris is a psycho behind the wheel, she has a penchant for destruction and is extremely good at it. After playing the sweet and gentle role of Mantis, watching the chains come off as Paris is so much fun to watch.

Pegg as Dunn and Rhames as Stickell are the two men that Hunt can absolutely count on. This time around they seem a bit rusty but that doesn’t stop them from doing everything possible to find the keys. They totally understand what is at stake but, I have to admit, they do bring a bit of the comedy relief to the film. Nothing wrong with breaks in the tension and both of these actors did just that but hold on when they are serious!

Whigham as Briggs is determined to be the one to capture Ethan Hunt and will go anywhere and do anything to get him. Davis as Degas goes along but wonders if maybe they are chasing the wrong man. Ferguson as Faust makes a return and understands that the mission is more complex than they all realize.

Shout out to Elwes as Denlinger, his character is puffed up and thinks he is in control of things. Those are the guys I wouldn’t want to hang around with because the target is huge on their backs. He is always going to be one of my favorites on the screen.

Other cast include Frederick Schmidt as Zola, Charles Parnell as NRO, Mark Gatiss as NSA, Indira Varma as DIA, Rob Delaney as JSOC, and Mariela Garriga as Marie.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One is going to be the hit of the summer. It seems Cruise is going for two for two as last summer the box office was filled with TOP GUN: Maverick. Being raised on the original television series of Mission Impossible, I’m think the films have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of that show. This time, it is an all-out feast of action for fans.

Every gadget imaginable, characters that are going to test every moment Hunt is on the mission. Thrills with cars, trains and everything in between are going to show how two hours and forty-three minutes can fly by! Cruise and the gang do not skimp on excitement to the point of feeling the tension from start to finish.

The story continues with Part Two and if Cruise is looking to take another summer on, then we are in for a summer treat in 2024. Get the gang together, get the biggest tub of popcorn you can because there isn’t a moment to be missed of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning.

In the end – the mission is far from impossible!