Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is already generating significant buzz ahead of its release, and one of the franchise’s stars, Shea Whigham, has provided an exciting early review. While cautious about revealing too much, Whigham praised Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, calling their work “so good” and confirming that the high expectations set by Cruise and McQuarrie are not “hyperbolic.” This sets a high bar for the action-packed sequel, which will continue the story from Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning.

What to Expect from Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

The sequel will see Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt facing off against Esai Morales’ Gabriel, with the storyline continuing from the dramatic cliffhanger of Dead Reckoning. Whigham, who returns in the eighth installment, shared his excitement for the project, noting that McQuarrie’s focus on character development makes the action even more impactful. According to Whigham, the film is grounded in character, and every actor gets their moment to shine. Cruise may be the “sun” around which everything revolves, but the ensemble cast will be equally rewarding for fans.

McQuarrie and Cruise’s Proven Success

While Whigham’s glowing review is certainly exciting, it’s worth noting that McQuarrie and Cruise’s collaborations have consistently resulted in some of the best-reviewed entries in the Mission: Impossible franchise. The 2018 installment, Mission: Impossible — Fallout, received near-universal acclaim, with a near-perfect 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. McQuarrie has proven time and again that his blend of thrilling set pieces and deep character moments creates a formula that resonates with both critics and audiences.

The Financial Stakes of The Final Reckoning

As the most expensive film in the franchise, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning has a lot riding on its success. With a production budget nearing $400 million, the film is expected to deliver a blockbuster experience. Paramount has invested heavily in ensuring this movie will be a visual and emotional spectacle, but the real question remains: will it recover the box office struggles seen with Dead Reckoning, which grossed $570.6 million but failed to meet expectations after facing stiff competition from Barbenheimer?

Will Mission: Impossible 8 Be the End of the Franchise?

The title of the eighth installment, paired with reports that Paramount may be marketing it as the series’ finale, has led some to believe this could be the last chapter for Ethan Hunt. Despite the potential for closure, Cruise has expressed his desire to continue playing the iconic role for as long as the stories remain fresh. Both Cruise and McQuarrie have hinted at future projects beyond the current narrative, leaving open the possibility of additional entries in the franchise.

That said, considering the ongoing success Cruise and McQuarrie have enjoyed with recent Mission: Impossible movies from a review perspective, it does seem difficult to believe The Final Reckoning will bring the franchise to a close. Cruise himself has expressed his desire to keep playing Ethan Hunt for as long as the storytelling remains fresh, wanting to even surpass Harrison Ford playing Indiana Jones into his 70s. McQuarie has also previously indicated having future ideas for the franchise beyond the initial-two-part Dead Reckoning plan.

Ultimately, the two biggest hurdles going forward will be Cruise’s schedule and how Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning performs at the box office. Cruise recently signed a major first-look deal at Warner Bros., which is already resulting in his new movie with The Revenant‘s Alejandro G. Iñárritu, though is working with Paramount on both Top Gun 3 and Days of Thunder 2. If The Final Reckoning proves to be as acclaimed as its recent predecessors and can redeem the box office disappointment of Dead Reckoning, it seems likely the studio will reverse their decision on wanting to close out the franchise.

Our Take on Whigham’s Review

Whigham’s early praise for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is certainly exciting and supports the growing anticipation for the film. Given McQuarrie’s track record of balancing character development with high-octane action, it’s likely that the final reckoning will be another thrilling and rewarding chapter in the Mission: Impossible saga. With a bigger budget, stronger character arcs, and a skilled director behind the camera, fans have every reason to be optimistic about this high-stakes sequel.

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