Page 40 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 149

40 Issue #149 June 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

An Impossible Mission

By Nicholai Adams

ow do you wrap up a franchise
Hlike Mission: Impossible? That
is, if this even is the final installment.
. . as they’ve made it sound (while at
the same time, stars not named ‘Tom
Cruise’ pipe up and suggest that
might not be so). It has been twenty-
nine years, with different writers and
visionary directors – from twisty Brian
De Palma and the action hair stylings
of John Woo, to the lens flares of J.J.
Abrams and animation expert Brad
Bird, it was only about ten years ago
that the franchise decided to opt for
The Usual Suspects scribe Christopher
McQuarrie for the final four. To return
to that opening question once more, Photo Submitted
you could end with a Sopranos’ style
cliffhanger, simply make another
entertaining movie like the many
before – like Everybody Loves
Raymond did it with its final episode, Czerny), pesky agent Briggs (Shea be completely impossible. . . as the an underwater submarine segment and
or try to tie everything up in a neat little Whigham), now President Erika fateful strains that are attempted to some World War I era planes featured
Sloane (Angela Bassett), and some be united from twenty-nine years of in some sky-high action. . . as they’ve
bow by bringing everything together
new faces too. storylines that weren’t meant to be been already used as plot points in
as the Daniel Craig era did with James
Bond. Well, it is definitely more along With a plan that will bring to mind the fully connected, makes for the first the last movie or been heavily part of
the lines of the latter example, with Cold War angst of nuclear annihilation film from this franchise that doesn’t the advertising on this one (the poster
some distinct differences. – think 1959’s On the Beach, 1964’s have pitch perfect pacing (as the first literally shows the plane!). Stunning,
mesmerizing, and mind-boggling – I
Fail Safe, or a less funny version of half drags under the narrative strains).
Met with the burden of the most need say no more.
1964’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Thankfully, Atwell’s English accent
impossible villain yet – A.I., in Mission: and Klementieff’s French dialogue Despite its flaws, Mission:
Impossible - The Final Reckoning Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Impossible - The Final Reckoning is a
the Impossible Mission Force, which the Bomb, this is what it all comes covers up some of the flaws found stunning example of cinema at its most
down to – the most serious Mission within. Also, a surprise appearance
features leader Ethan Hunt (Tom yet (though some will miss the touches from the distant past (for those who pure. Thanks to Cruise and McQuarrie,
Cruise), nervous Benji Dunn (Simon the stunts are real, the CGI is minimal,
of comedy usually found within these still remember that far back), is most
Pegg), computer wiz Luther Stickwell and the entertainment is maximal
(Ving Rhames), pickpocket Grace films). Leading the team on a wild definitely the best part of this tie- – once again placing this amongst
(Hayley Atwell), the fiery Québécois globetrotting goose chase, you could everything-in storyline – I won’t say rarified air; as Cruise is committed
change Ethan’s name to Treasure and any more.
Paris (Pom Klementieff), and the like few others (perhaps some of the
recent intelligence agent Degas (Greg you’ve got an apt description of this Yet, this is still a Mission: Impossible silent superstars like Buster Keaton,
storyline – a Treasure Hunt.
Tarzan Davis), must work together to movie – which means it is a spectacular Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd,
vanquish this harbinger of doom and Slightly crippled by this gargantuan spectacle. Featuring some of the most Jackie Chan. . . the list is very short).
gloom. . . all while being chased by so-called conclusion, McQuarrie amazing stunts you’ll see. . . of course So, choose to accept this Mission, for
the A.I., crafty Gabriel (Esai Morales), and Cruise attempt to tie everything done by Tom Cruise himself, I’m not as Tom Cruise has proven – nothing is
the always thorny Kittridge (Henry together, the first mission that might spoiling anything by referencing two: Impossible!