DVD Corner

Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning 4K UHD Review

The M:I franchise goes out with a whimper. 

Continuing where “Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part 1” left off (why wasn’t this called Dead Reckoning Part 2 by the way?), “Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning” finds the AI Entity continuing to pose a threat as it has now taken control of nuclear systems across the world and is plotting to create armageddon while hiding away in an underground bunker mainframe. Luckily there is hope. Not only has Luther developed a malware program (Poison Pill) that can destroy The Entity, but a Podkova exists which enables control over the Entity. On the downside, The Entity’s human minion (the villainous Gabriel) has stolen the malware and the Podkova resides in a sunken submarine. With the help of allies Benji, Theo, Paris, William, Tapeesa, and Grace, Ethan must combine the Poison Pill and the Podkova and trap the Entity so it doesn’t reach the bunker mainframe. Easier said than done as Ethan is also being pursued by US Intelligence Agent Jasper.

For a story about the dangers of AI, it’s ironic that this Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen scripted finale feels it was written by AI. The story is filled to the brim with characters running around the globe looking for devices, stiff war room scenes, ridiculous fan service and a shocking amount of shoehorned in connections to past films (especially the first) that will have you rolling your eyes. Worse than that, this exhaustingly overlong (170 minutes!) sequel comes across as an action cartoon. At one point the villain Gabriel even shouts “Catch me if you can!” as if this was some Hanna-Barbera cartoon. Truth be told, the series really should have bowed out with the best entry “Mission: Impossible- Fallout.” It was clear the franchise was in trouble with “Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part 1” when writer/director McQuarrie and Jendresen killed off one of the best characters (no spoilers if you haven’t seen that installment yet). It was all downhill from there. 

As per usual, the saving grace here is the action. Sure, there’s CGI, but the franchise’s dedication to filming in real locations with Tom Cruise fearlessly performing real stunts has always been the main draw. The climactic biplane sequence ranks as one of the best action sequences in the entire series. It was exhilarating and beautifully shot. 

Cast wise, this is Tom Cruise’s movie through and through. In all 8 entries, Cruise has gone all out to make this series as entertaining as possible. Even when some installments falter like this one, Cruise’s passion to create art always shines through. Other standouts here include Ving Rhames as Luther and Hayley Atwell as Grace.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 and 1.90:1 2160p With Dolby Vision. How does it look? Expect a flawless presentation.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? This Atmos track is as good as it possibly gets. From the plane engines to the explosions, this track will have your speakers (and house) shaking.

Extras (On the Blu-rays unless otherwise noted):
* Digital copy
* Blu-ray copy and a 2nd Blu-ray disc of special features.
* Isolated score track (On the 4K and Blu-ray).
* 3 commentary tracks. One by Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise, one by Christopher McQuarrie, editor Eddie Hamilton, and First AD Mary Boulding and the last by composers Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey and score producer Cecile Tournesac (On the 4K and Blu-ray).
* 4 promo spots
* Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, Collaboration and Supporting Cast still galleries.
* 5 behind the scenes featurettes on the plane sequence, the underwater sequence, shooting in the freezing snow in Norway, the mine car chase, and the score. Truth be told, these are better than the films themselves. The footage of Tom Cruise doing stunts and stunt rehearsals are thrilling. Seeing all the work that went into creating the action is quite fascinating too!
* Editorial content includes deleted footage montage, Olifants River Canton plane sequence takes, and Biplane Transfer plane sequence takes. All 3 of these feature optional commentary by Christopher McQuarrie

October 9, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Action Movie, Christopher McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning, Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning 4K UHD Review, Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames