Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, hailed as 'awe-inducing stuntacular' after press premiere

The latest installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, The Final Reckoning, has premiered to widespread acclaim, with critics hailing it as an exhilarating conclusion to Tom Cruise’s iconic action series.

Following its press debut, early reactions praised the film’s high-octane action, bold stunts, and Tom Cruise’s unwavering commitment to the role of Ethan Hunt. Film critic Courtney Howard shared her excitement on social media, calling the film an "exhilarating adrenaline rush for the head & heart." She described it as an "awe-inducing stuntacular" and commended director Christopher McQuarrie and Cruise for creating a "brilliant, bold actioner for the ages."

Echoing Howard’s sentiments, journalist Simon Thompson praised the film as “whip-smart and razor-sharp,” calling it another winner in the franchise. He highlighted the film's tense, action-packed sequences, stating, “blockbusters do not get much better than this.”

Offscreen Central's Kenzie Vanunu also enjoyed the film but noted a potential flaw. She wrote, The Final Reckoning is a “summer spectacle with nonstop adrenaline,” though she remarked that “there’s a bit too much going on (at all times).” Still, she considered it a thrilling ride for moviegoers.

Mission: Impossible 8 picks up two months after the events of 2023’s Dead Reckoning, with Ethan Hunt continuing his mission to stop an all-powerful AI called "the Entity" before it falls into the wrong hands. The film also stars Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Ving Rhames, and Angela Bassett.

Despite some early concerns about the pacing, critics were unanimous in praising the film’s breathtaking set pieces and heart-pounding action sequences. As The Final Reckoning heads to the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 for its world debut, fans are eager to see if the film lives up to its promise of being the franchise's grand finale.

With a legacy spanning over $1 billion in lifetime grosses, Mission: Impossible continues to set the standard for modern action films, with Fallout (2018) widely regarded as the franchise's strongest entry.