Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (what to expect)

Scorecard, Temp These Takes, Watchlist Worthy

May 23, 2025

If the President of Hollywood (Tom Cruise) is spending millions, making more millions, and doing his own stunts in movies, you can bet it’s going to pack your local theater. Tonight, we almost missed the beginning of the movie because the concession stand line was so long. Don’t tell Eric, because we missed every trailer, but what were we supposed to do, not get a Coke Zero?

Concession Stand Scorecard: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Temp These Takes: If this person is in the movie, I’m in no matter what.
Watchlist Worthy: Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz. What more is needed?

We go to the movies every week to let you know if the latest films are worth the price of admission and what you can expect. Always spoiler free.

This week’s movie - Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Letterboxd Description:

Every choice, every mission, has all led to this.
Ethan Hunt and the IMF team continue their search for the terrifying AI known as the Entity - which has infiltrated intelligence networks all over the globe - with the world’s governments and a mysterious ghost from Ethan’s past on their trail. Joined by new allies and armed with the means to shut the Entity down for good, Hunt is in a race against time to prevent the world as we know it from changing forever.

Best Watched With

Your dad, probably.

End credit thoughts

Say what you will about Tom Cruise, but the man knows how to make Hollywood blockbusters. Sure, MI8 is as cheesy as 7-Eleven nachos, but it’s action-packed to the brim, has stressful AF stunts, and Ethan Hunt making anything possible for the well-being of his beloved team. Final Reckoning gives this treasure of a franchise a worthy sendoff.

The Final Reckoning picks up right where Part 1 left off: the world is in the palm of the nefarious AI super villain, The Entity, and the grip is getting tighter. Seven billion lives are at stake, and it's up to one man to save the day. Well, save a lot of lifetimes, an entire species—the human race.

If Tom is going to risk his life (literally) for a movie, he's not skimping on the production. The music feels huge and over the top just like the action sequences. Between the set design and the stunning real life locations, there was never a dull moment visually.

It's been all the hype on social media for months, but Cruise's physical acting and stunt work can't be overstated. He's doing things at 60 plus that make all of our 30 year old backs hurt just watching them. The ensemble cast bring levity, brains, eye candy and bad ass action sequences to the mix. A few stand out characters made a big impact with very little screen time. Our one casting gripe (that is carried over from Part One) is Gabriel as the most unconvincing villain in the entire franchise.

So many modern action movies were modeled after the MI franchise and Final Reckoning does a great job of staying true that formula, while adding exciting new thrills. The story gets messy at times and had us asking, "What?" "Why?" "How?" But since 1996 Hunt and the gang have been doing the impossible. Leave the questions at home and bring a surf board and ride this final 100ft behemoth till the credits roll down.

This is a Mission Impossible movie–it's loud, it's fast, and it's a really fun time. You don't need us to tell you that this is the kind of movie you pay to go see on the biggest screen you can. Take some friends, you'll have fun.

Follow us on Letterboxd for our individual movie ratings:
@justjoshperez
@ericharrison
@kellyharrison
@newmexicodrew

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New Mexico Drew
Although I wanted to say Ryan Gosling, the crew told me they would have me tarred and feathered. So, I'm going to go with Nicolas Cage and Coleman Domingo. Nic Cage is probably in more bad movies than good ones, but you'll never not be entertained by the man. I could watch and listen to Coleman Domingo reading a three ring binder issued by the IRS on tax codes and I would be content. That man has magnetism and I will watch anything he is in.

Kelly
I have typed out so many names that and they all just seemed WRONG. So I’m going to be so for real, I don’t have an actor or actress that I watch movies for just because they’re in it. HOW BORING I KNOW. but like?! I love Ana De Armas and realized I think I’ve only seen 4 movies she’s in. And I just lied to you. It’s 3. 4 sounded better. 🫠

Eric
Leonardo DiCaprio is a MUST SEE and has been for many years… but more recently I’d have to say good ol Sophie Thatcher, Zendeya, and Chalamet are big time draws for me. Austin Butler and Florence Pugh are close calls too.

Josh
Alright. Easily, the two men with the most insane digital footprints: Timothee Chalamet and Robert Pattinson (Timmy is everywhere. And if you haven't seen it already, look up R Patt promoting Twilight). But seriously, these two are generational talent. Truly giving magnum opus energy in every performance. Also, Jennifer Lawrence and Florence Pugh. They can do no wrong.

A movie one of us added to our Letterboxd watchlist this week.

Caught Stealing by Darren Aronofsky

Was caught off guard this week (maybe we should pay better attention to release schedules - oops) by the trailer for a new film by Darren Aronofsky (The Whale, Requiem for a dream, Black Swan, Mother!). Caught Stealing is a story about a burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a struggle for survival in the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City.

This one stars Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Bad Bunny, and Liev Schreiber - that alone should be enough to get BUTTS IN SEATS. I feel like these days, Austin Butler is a big draw for me. I know his filmography is light compared to other big names but I don't care. This movie looks like a damn blast. Also Zoë should be a big draw because she had a pretty freaking awesome directorial debut last year with Blink Twice.

I also think after watching the trailer, that I am now a San Francisco Giants fan because MAN Austin looks good in that hat.

August 29th we will see YOU in theaters!

-Eric

Letterboxd Description:

Hank Thompson, a burned-out former baseball player, is unwittingly plunged into a wild fight for survival in the downtown criminal underworld of ’90s New York City.

Also Directed by Darren Aronofsky:
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Black Swan (2010)
The Whale (2022)

Movie Theater Experiences | Keep Cinemas Alive! #55

🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Eric and Josh discuss various topics centered around their experiences with movies and movie theaters. They touch on the excitement and nostalgia associated with midnight premieres, particularly reflecting on films like 'The Dark Knight' and 'Titanic'.

They also discuss their favorite movie theater experiences, including memorable screenings during travel, such as 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' watched in a Brussels theater.

The conversation meanders through various movie genres, the importance of theater atmospheres, and upcoming films they're excited about, highlighting the irreplaceable magic of cinema.