(Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures)
(“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” trailer courtesy of Paramount Pictures.)
Twenty-five years ago, Kentwood, La. native Britney Spears released the hit song and album, “Oops!…I Did It Again.”
A quarter of a century later, movie star Tom Cruise can say the same thing because he did the darn thing again in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” an action-packed film so impressive that its three-hour runtime seems like a quick sprint instead of a prolonged marathon.
Since Cruise is getting up there in age (no offense), he probably has gained some sound wisdom through the years.
Wise people often say that art imitates life.
That reality can produce a range of emotions from fear to inspiration in movies, television shows, stage plays and music.
On the other hand, a not-so-wise person once said that a person cannot go home again.
In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” the fear that artificial intelligence could one day destroy the universe keeps many people up at night in real life.
Additionally, in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” movie star Tom Cruise once again stars in a movie from a franchise that has not missed yet, proving that a person can continuously go home again.
That dichotomy is what makes “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” so important and so impressive.
Human wisdom and ingenuity are the reason for all the technological advances people enjoy in 2025.
But human hubris often leads to people being wrong about a lot of things, too.
And being wrong about artificial intelligence might be the most unintelligent thing that people have ever done if the new technology becomes out of control.
In 2025, there is virtually no aspect of life that has not been touched by artificial intelligence, from self-checkout stations at grocery stores to editing video and the written word.
Dead rappers like Eazy-E are even dropping new music soon.
While many people fear the impact that artificial intelligence will have on their employment, if not handled properly, artificial intelligence could end the world, not just end careers.
Although Hollywood has jumped on the artificial intelligence threat in numerous recent movies, none have what the “Mission: Impossible” brand has.
What the “Mission: Impossible” franchise has, and has always had, is Cruise.
Furthermore, it has ridiculously impossible stunts by the star.
It has the undeniable cool of Ving Rhames, who reprises his role as Luther Stickell.
And it has the queen herself, Angela Bassett, who portrays President Erika Sloane.
With those ingredients, no feat seems impossible.
Furthermore, with technology, what was once thought of as impossible is easily possible.
In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” the entity is wreaking havoc on the entire planet.
The artificial intelligence has become too intelligent for humans to contain.
The entity is slowly gaining the capacity to take over the nuclear arms arsenal of country after country.
Only a few countries, including the United States, still maintain control of their arms.
However, it is only a matter of time before the entity has a monopoly on global weapons.
Once the entity has complete control over all the weapons of mass destruction on the planet, it could launch an all-out war on the world, which no human or other species could survive.
The only way to stop the inevitable from happening is for Ethan (Cruise) and his band of misfits to get to the entity’s source and prevent it from achieving its goal of total world annihilation.
The problem is obvious.
Other entities want the entity, too.
And they do not have the salvation of the planet on their minds.
An action movie would not be a real action movie if it did not have evil forces battling righteous forces.
And in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” Ethan is on the side of righteousness, while Gabriel (Esai Morales) is on the side of evil.
Furthermore, in “Mission: Impossible -The Final Reckoning,” America is undoubtedly on the side of good, while those suckers from Russia are on the bad side.
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” does not do much wrong, from Cruise’s patented sprint to the flashbacks of past scenes from the popular film franchise.
The movie is filled with compelling characters, as is the norm for the franchise.
But the one performance that stands out the most is Bassett’s role as Erika.
Bassett’s role as leader of the free world shows how difficult the job of U.S. president is for a true leader.
Sometimes, doing what is best for the entire country or world might not be what is best for a certain segment of the population.
Additionally, doing what is best for the world might mean getting into bed with some sketchy characters.
But another wise person once said to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, because in the real world, everyone in your circle is not on your side.
In “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” Erika must keep an eye on the entity, Ethan and everyone in her cabinet if she is to steer the world away from utter destruction.
On the other hand, it is up to Cruise to steer the franchise to another successful installment, and he does just that.
Recently, Cruise received a standing ovation at Cannes for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” and it was well-deserved.
It is almost like the franchise can’t fail because Cruise keeps doing it again and again like Spears 25 years ago.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
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