“The Mission: Impossible” film series is a spy-action blockbuster that depicts the exploits of Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, and the secret organization, the IMF, to which he belongs. Throughout the series, the highlight is Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan, who continually undertakes impossible missions at the risk of his life.

The eighth installment in the series, which serves as the culmination of the franchise, is the film “Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning,” which I have written about here. Originally titled “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two,” this film is a rare example in the series of a story that continues directly from the previous installment, “Mission: Impossible/Dead Reckoning Part One.”

Unwavering commitment to realistic stunts

The defining feature of the “Mission: Impossible” series is undoubtedly the overwhelming realism of Tom Cruise performing his stunts. These “hands-on dangerous stunts” have become the hallmark of the series, delivering thrills and tension that cannot be replicated by CGI, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with each installment.

A particularly iconic scene is from the fifth installment, “Rogue Nation,” where Tom Cruise clings to the exterior of a military transport aircraft in mid-flight. The scene was filmed with Tom Cruise himself attached to the aircraft’s exterior during actual high-altitude flight, with multiple takes required to capture the shot. Another memorable moment comes from “Ghost Protocol,” where Tom Cruise climbs the Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s iconic skyscraper, using only his bare hands.

The series’ signature dangerous stunts

Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning lived up to its claim as the culmination of the series, delivering an action-packed film. As seen on the movie poster, the chase scene involving a Cessna plane was particularly noteworthy! Tom Cruise himself rode on the wing of a Cessna plane performing acrobatic maneuvers in mid-air, showcasing a dangerous stunt unprecedented in the series.

This scene, depicted on the movie poster, features Tom Cruise himself boarding the wing of a Cessna plane performing acrobatic maneuvers in mid-air—a dangerous stunt unprecedented in the series. While this scene was prominently featured in the trailer, its actual impact far exceeded the trailer’s imagination.

And when I saw Tom Cruise’s name listed as the pilot of the Cessna in the end credits, I couldn’t help but be amazed by his incredible feat. To think he did such a dangerous action without a stunt! I was genuinely impressed by the fact that Tom Cruise himself took such risks.

He has even fractured a bone during a stunt, causing filming to be interrupted. Still, he pushes his own body to the limit to infuse his character with ultimate realism. Tom Cruise’s stunts are not just for show. They are his relentless pursuit of maximizing the film’s sense of immersion and realism. His philosophy toward action is what elevates the “Mission: Impossible” series to a unique existence, I realized once again.

A serene yet terrifying experience

This film also features underwater action scenes, unlike those in any previous installment. While underwater action appeared in “Rogue Nation,” this title prioritizes “thrill” over spectacle. It is a rare and uniquely serene scene for the Mission: Impossible series.

The silent underwater scenes did not evoke anxiety in the viewer. Instead, they gave the impression of watching a horror suspense film. While the extreme combat situations remain consistent throughout the series, the escape drama unfolding within the confined space of a sunken submarine with no enemies present created an unprecedented level of tension.

These action sequences, built on the experience of previous films, pursue a more refined sense of “realism” and “immersion,” unfolding on a grand scale befitting the culmination of the series.

This underwater scene felt more like a suspense film than an action film. It reminded me of diving films I had seen before, such as “Open Water” or “Sanctum,” which focuses on cave diving. However, there are no sharks (so rest assured). The realism was breathtaking, as they actually set up the set and filmed underwater.

This underwater scene was not just a action sequences but a deeply memorable part that depicted the extreme state of humanity amid silence and claustrophobia.

A story and connections that span the series

This film strongly reflects the long history of the series, which began with the first film in 1996. For example, Sloan, who was once the deputy director of the CIA, has risen to become president, and a character who appeared in the first film in the series makes a reappearance. These developments will delight long-time fans. Of course, you don’t need to have seen the previous films to understand the story. These elements serve as delightful “fan service” for fans.

The human drama of the protagonist, Ethan Hunt, is also deeply explored. The guilt he feels for actions he took in the past that ended up hurting others, and the theme of inner conflict and liberation as that guilt is forgiven. He is saved and is delicately portrayed.

The Mysterious AI “Entity” as a Threat to Modern Society

The enemy in this film is the intangible artificial intelligence known as “Entity.” This AI lurks deep within global data networks and possesses the ability to alter or manipulate the very information infrastructure we rely on daily. It truly embodies the “invisible threat” lurking in modern society. This threat is emphasized even more in the previous film, “Dead Reckoning – Part One.”

In this film, the threat of the “Entity” is highlighted by the fact that in today’s social media-driven society, everyone is constantly connected to the internet, monitored, and manipulated, prompting a strong sense of caution toward the modern information society. Ethan firmly declares to his companions, “The only thing we can trust is the connection between people.”

Ethan’s words remind us that no matter how advanced technology becomes, human judgment, trust, and courage remain the most important things.

Summary: The culmination of the series’s action and questions about modern society

Tom Cruise stars in the eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible series, Final Reckoning, which continues the story from the previous film and serves as the culmination of the series. Tom Cruise’s signature real-life stunts remain intact, including an aerial chase on the wing of a Cessna plane and an eerily silent underwater escape sequence reminiscent of a horror film, offering unprecedented thrills and immersion.

Additionally, the return of characters and plot threads from previous installments delighted long-time fans. At the same time, the human drama surrounding the protagonist, Ethan Hunt, was explored in greater depth. The mysterious AI antagonist, “Entity,” symbolizes the “invisible terror” associated with modern social media, including the spread of fake information and divide-and-conquer tactics. Ethan declares, “The only thing you can trust is the connection between people,” challenging the importance of human bonds in an era dominated by technology. This film seamlessly blends breathtaking action with a sharp message about modern society, making it the pinnacle of the series.