Mission Impossible 8: The final reckoning hailed as ‘one of the greatest action films of all time’ as early reactions flood in
Tom Cruise is back doing what he does best – risking life and limb for cinematic spectacle – and if the early reactions to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are anything to go by, the eighth instalment in the long-running franchise may have surpassed even the loftiest of expectations.
Ahead of its full reviews tomorrow evening, early viewers and film critics have taken to social media to share their initial thoughts on what is being touted as one of the greatest action films ever made. The highly-anticipated sequel, which serves as Part Two of last year’s Dead Reckoning, is due to land in UK cinemas later this month, with Cruise currently promoting the film across London.
According to Variety, the film is nothing short of a cinematic triumph. Describing it as “an exhilarating adrenaline rush for the head and heart”, they praised director Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise, and the entire team for crafting what they termed the “gold standard” of action cinema. The outlet went on to urge audiences to see the film “BIG and LOUD”, underscoring the film’s awe-inspiring, stunt-laden scale.
The Hollywood Handle echoed this sentiment, boldly declaring The Final Reckoning as “one of the greatest action movies of all time.” The publication lauded every aspect of the production – from the intense tension and masterfully choreographed stunts to the razor-sharp editing and immersive direction. “If you thought you’d seen it all in this franchise, this redefines what’s impossible,” the outlet remarked, highlighting Cruise’s “legendary” performance and the film’s “insane” production values.
Coming Soon offered a slightly more tempered yet still enthusiastic response, calling the film “stunning” and noting its darker, more brooding tone at the outset. The film reportedly leans into sci-fi thriller territory before exploding into the high-octane action fans have come to expect. However, the review pointed to some flaws, including an overuse of flashbacks and pacing issues, though it ultimately praised the climactic finale as an absolute showstopper.
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The fan-favourite Draft Movie Pod described The Final Reckoning as “everything you want out of an action movie and oh so much more.” The podcast went as far as dubbing it “THE movie event of the year,” emphasising the film’s “most insane stunts” and “the most heart an M:I movie has ever had.” They concluded, “It is why you see movies, plain and simple,” awarding the film a perfect five stars.
Meanwhile, ReelBlend highlighted the film’s emotional resonance, describing it as “a love letter to fans who just rewatched the entire series.” The film reportedly ties together the franchise’s entire narrative arc, transforming the eight films into a cohesive, singular story. In a surprising confession, the reviewer admitted it was “the first time I’ve cried in the series”, singling out a breathtaking plane sequence as “one of cinema’s greatest stunts.”
However, amidst the glowing praise, some early viewers voiced reservations. Certain critics found the film’s running time excessive, with some complaining it dragged in parts, lacked action during stretches, and could feel a little too self-serious for its own good. Despite this, the overwhelming consensus appears to position The Final Reckoning as a crowning achievement for both Cruise and the Mission: Impossible franchise.
As the official reviews loom and audiences gear up for what might be Cruise’s final outing as Ethan Hunt, one thing is certain – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is set to be one of the year’s most talked-about blockbusters.
