I love the Mission: Impossible films. Like, love them. They’re clever, they’re twisty, they’ve got gadgets, masks, explosive stunts, and that patented Tom Cruise sprinting directly into your eyeballs. Even the bonkers mess that was MI2 had some fun in it.

So when we rocked up for the 10:30am opening session of The Final Reckoning (yes, the title alone sounds like it needs therapy), I was ready. I’d even rewatched the last one the week before. I was pumped.

And now I just want my morning back.

So Much Talk. So Little Boom.

The first ninety minutes of this three-hour epic? Exposition. Just… people talking. Whispering. Explaining. Pointing vaguely at screens. Saying “The Entity” like it’s Voldemort’s moody cousin.

Where are the gadgets? The masks? The “gotcha!” moments?

Where’s the “surprise, it’s me, John Cruise!” energy?

The Entity. The Entity. THE ENTITY. Is this a villain or a cult chant?

There’s one half-decent plane sequence and an underwater set piece that screams high stakes!… but does absolutely nothing with it. The setting is cool — but like a reality TV set, it looks good but is ultimately hollow.

The Final Reckoning… for My Patience

I don’t know who approved this script, but at some point someone in a meeting said, “Yes, let’s say The Entity 612 times and then never actually make it threatening.”

Seriously. The Entity™ (I’m trademarking it now) is supposed to be this terrifying, omniscient, world-ending AI. In practice? It’s a vague presence that sounds like someone muttering into a fan.

I’m not joking — we started turning The Entity into a drinking game by the halfway point. One mention = one shot. By the end? We’d need to be hospitalised.

Characters? Or Just Talking Heads?

No standout performances. No iconic moments. No shocking mask-pulls or delightful twists. Tom does his best. Hayley Atwell is decent And everyone else is just kind of… there. Even Ving Rhames sounds like he knows this isn’t it.

The Good, The Bad, The Entity

✅ A plane sequence that was almost exciting
✅ It eventually ends

❌ The first 90 mins are a TED Talk on The Entity
❌ Bland villain
❌ Missed opportunity after missed opportunity

Is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning worth watching?‍

This wasn’t a movie. This was a $400 million misfire. A mission to nowhere. A final reckoning for my expectations. Honestly, I left the cinema disappointed, exhausted… and donut-less. (Why didn’t I bring donuts? I needed them - I bought 6 after to console myself)

If you’re a Mission: Impossible fan like me, you might walk in with hope. But you’ll walk out wondering why Tom didn’t just fake his own death in the first five minutes and leave us with something to remember.