- First reactions round-up to The Final Reckoning
- “First time I’ve cried in the series”
- Eighth instalment in theaters next weekend
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters in the U.S. next weekend, and judging by early critics’ reactions, fans are in for a memorable watch.
Read more: Tom Cruise’s Craziest Mission: Impossible Stunts
The social media embargo has been lifted, and reviews are flooding timelines faster than Tom Cruise in a full sprint.
Read more: Who’s in Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning?
The eighth and potentially final instalment of the action-packed franchise is being hailed as “one of the greatest action movies of all time”, and has even reduced some to tears.
Clocking in at an impressive two hours and fifty minutes, here’s what the glowing reviews are saying about Ethan Hawke’s last mission.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is “stunning”
Film critic Jonathan Sim calls The Final Reckoning “stunning”, adding that it starts off as a “dark, grim sci-fi thriller” before going into full-blown Tom Cruise action mode. He noted that it relies on “WAY too many flashbacks” but makes up for it with a finale that “OWNS”.
Nate Adams says it “cranks the stakes higher than ever before” – a fair comment, considering the Mission: Impossible series has a track record of outdoing itself with every film. Adams also singles out the movie’s last 45 minutes as a “My GOD” moment.
Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia writes that the “the action set pieces are undeniably epic” and “certified madman Tom Cruise flying, dangling, and clinging for dear life off an airplane, also delivers on the adrenaline-fueled goods.”
“First time I’ve cried in the series”
Jake Hamilton, writing for Reel Blend admitted that it was the “First time I’ve cried in the series”, calling the latest movie a “a love letter to fans who just rewatched the entire series.”
The critic wasn’t alone in feeling a little emotional, as even Simon Pegg – who plays field agent Benji Dunn alongside Cruise – found himself shedding a tear after watching it. The actor said he was “genuinely moved” by the film, adding that there’s some “beautiful character stuff” at the heart of it.
It must be noted that not everyone was blown away by the film, with several reviews suggesting the editing was poor and the film’s conclusion a tad underwhelming.
Adam Pathla wrote that the editing choices were “baffling” and while he thought it was a fun movie, it served up an “underwhelming conclusion to the saga”. Pathla also mentioned Pegg was his “MVP this time around”.
Adam Hlaváč echoed Pathla’s comments, writing “the plot’s a bit bloated and messy, with some jarring editing”, but ultimately “Still had a fun time at the movies”.
Whichever side of the fence you’re on, you’re guaranteed an epic, near-three-hour thrill ride – with Cruise perhaps proving one final time that he’s the greatest action hero of all time.
Or as Stephen Ford puts it…