4K Blu-ray Review: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Synopsis: Choosing to accept what may be his final mission, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) gathers his team to finally end the threat of the pernicious AI known as the Entity by obtaining its source code. Unfortunately, said data is located in a long-sunken Russian sub--and the mastermind Gabriel (Esai Morales) has his own reasons to see them fail. Eighth (and last?) franchise thriller co-stars Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, Hannah Waddingham, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman

Main Feature: The Mission: Impossible film series has always been a variety--good and bad. The first one from director Brian de Palma befuddled some upon it's arrival to theaters (and ruffled hardcore fans of the TV series with it's Jim Phelps treatment). Regardless, it is viewed quite fondly now but seems somewhat overshadowed with recent entries. The second entry is one that I cannot stand to rewatch, while M:I3 gets a terrible rap for Cruise's couch stunts distracting from the quality of the film. Ghost Protocol, the first live-action film from feature animation director Brad Bird, kicked down the door with an up in ante for action and Cruise stunts (from couch to the tallest building the world in Dubai) and was followed in succession from Christopher McQuarrie--Rogue Nation and Fallout. This trio of top-notch action film is seconded by very few. While Fallout had some issues (namely length), it was definitely a great capper to three films I rewatch and change my mind with each viewing of which of these are my favorite of the entire series (Rogue Nation, folks). With Dead Reckoning, Part 1 (as I saw it in theaters--now just Dead Reckoning), the series took a few steps back from the back-to-back-to-back perfection. Again, length became a factor, especially when they intended this to be a two-part finale: why not just do a pair tight 2-hour kinetic action masterpieces? But what made the series so viable in the long run was it's ability to attract a variety of filmmakers to put their individual styles, tones and direction into a final product, allowing each new film to have a fresh perspective and new avenue to explore--good or bad. This is what leads me into the issues with Final Reckoning. McQuarrie has helmed of each of these final four entries to the series, painting himself into a corner of his max abilities. Box office failure of Dead Reckoning aside (it was no Top Gun: Maverick), the film still is quite good but had a huge bar to jump to, as you can tell from my POV, but lacked . Because of the financial risk, they reworked Dead Reckoning, Part 2 to become Dead Reckoning. The film starts quite messy, bringing viewers up to speed while clearly trying to retcon a bit and make people forget that this will no longer be the second entry to a two-part film: this will be the end. It's reactive filmmaking, whether done by the studio or a creative pivot, the cracks int eh foundation show--disjointed and uneven. Whatever purposes and motivation they setup Ethan Hunt in the aforementioned perfect film trio (notably the chemistry and connection to Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust) is lost to whomever is next. The film's climax is a nice adrenaline shot but ultimately does not save the film as a whole. The UHD format certain amplifies the impressive visuals, but still--a lot of flash but little cash. 

Bonus Features: A couple of audio commentaries are fun (especially with director and star RM & TC), but the rest are basic featurettes, promo ads and deleted scenes. It is nice to see a rare appearance by a score-only audio track. Too bad it is one of the lesser ones of the series. 

Final Call: The mission may not have been as accomplished as expected, but the Mission: Impossible film series is one to be admired, even if it's Final Reckoning fizzles at the finale. 

Grade: ​C-