At the recent Cannes Film Festival, the spotlight wasn’t exactly on Tom Cruise, but rather on his talented co-stars from the latest Mission: Impossible movie.
The 62-year-old Hollywood icon seemed genuinely impressed as he applauded Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Hannah Waddingham while they took center stage on the red carpet.
It was a proud moment, with Tom happily letting the ladies steal the show during the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
The Final Chapter Faces Rough Reception from Critics
Despite all the excitement around this eighth and supposedly final installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, the early reviews have been far from kind.
The film has already experienced numerous delays, and it looks like it hasn’t quite landed well with critics ahead of its official release on May 23.
One particularly harsh review came from Daily Mail’s Brian Viner, who gave the movie a dismal two-star rating.
He described it as “three hours of nonsense” and joked that viewers might end up “wishing for the world to end.”
Viner’s take was blunt: the movie feels drawn-out and repetitive, with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) once again saving the world — this time, at one point, wearing just his underwear.
A Franchise Known for Thrills Struggles to Impress
Viner did acknowledge some of the classic thrills and nods to past films, but overall, he felt the movie dragged and could have lost half an hour of its running time.
The constant reminders about the world’s impending doom, repeated in nearly every scene, made the film feel even more tedious.
His closing thought? By the end, audiences might actually be hoping the planet falls off the metaphorical cliff the film keeps warning about.
Critics Point to Flat Characters and Lack of Humor
Adding to the chorus of criticism, The Sun’s Dulcie Pearce called the movie “dull and humorless,” which she found surprising for a series known for its energetic tone.
She singled out the character development, or lack thereof, as a major issue.
For example, Grace, who was a standout pickpocket in the previous film, now seems lifeless and disconnected.
Similarly, Paris, once a fierce killer, is reduced to a silent, almost mute presence.
Pearce admitted she was shocked at how boring the first two hours felt — a stark contrast to the adrenaline rush she got from the last movie.
She even joked that instead of needing beta blockers like before, she was “reaching for the defibrillator” during this one.
Final Hour Delivers Some Classic Action, But It’s Not Enough
Despite the negative reviews, Pearce did give credit to the final hour of the film, which features some of the thrilling stunts fans expect, including a jaw-dropping wing walk battle.
Tom Cruise, true to form, defies death and insurance laws once again.
Still, she felt this wasn’t enough to save the film, which she described as a “self-destructing goodbye” to what was once a brilliant franchise.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Hits UK Cinemas Soon
Fans of the franchise will have to wait a little longer, but Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is set to officially open across the UK next Wednesday.
Whether it will win back audiences or continue to face criticism remains to be seen.