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The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Impossibly frustrating: why Mission: Impossible 8 was a major letdown
If the title is sincere, and this really is the final reckoning, then it's been a franchise of two halves. Mission: Impossible diehards tend to underrate the first half (which ran from Brian De Palma's brisk 1996 original to 2011's fun Ghost Protocol) as much as they overrate the second (which launched with 2015's Rogue Nation). Yet the rumbles and grumbles emanating from public screenings suggests a disgruntled consensus is forming around the concluding instalment: that this is an altogether disjointed way to resolve the affairs of Ethan Hunt and his IMF crew, and a shaky way to ignite the movie summer season. Ninety minutes in which nothing happens over and over again, followed by 70 minutes of M:I B-roll. To better diagnose this latest glitch in the Hollywood machine, we need to return to the relighting of the fuse. This was the franchise to which Tom Cruise retreated in the wake of the commercial underperformance of 1999's Eyes Wide Shut and Magnolia – the two most rigorous turns of this star's career, films in which Cruise allowed himself to be rattled and seen to be rattled, only to be met with widespread public and awards-circuit indifference. The Mission: Impossibles, by contrast, would be the sort of 4DX-coded sure thing for which audiences have routinely turned out, a creative safe space, even as the films' constituent set pieces pushed their prime mover into performing ever riskier business to ensure bums on seats. In those early films, the character of Hunt was as much martyr and marked man as saviour or secular saint, targeted at every turn by directors with comparably forceful visions. The sensationalist De Palma revelled in the set-up's potential for spectacle; and while, in retrospect, the motorbike-and-mullet combo of 2000's M:I 2, directed by John Woo and set to a bruising Limp Bizkit beat, was bound to date rapidly, the sometime animator Brad Bird, in Ghost Protocol, had the bright idea of turning the series into a live-action cartoon, with Cruise defying gravity and nature alike by hanging off the side of the Burj Khalifa and personally outrunning a sandstorm. The last four films, however, bear the imprint of screenwriter turned director Christopher McQuarrie, who concluded that what this series needed was a little more conversation, overseeing the construction of a vast story framework for his star to dangle off one-handed. That approach reaches its apotheosis in The Final Reckoning, but the scaffolding now overwhelms the spectacle. The attempt to solder eight films together ends in much-rewritten incoherence – see Ving Rhames's confused sendoff – and, worryingly, results in missions being described rather than shown. You wonder whether the insurers blanched after Cruise crocked an ankle shooting 2018's Fallout; now we're left with folks talking at length in nondescript rooms. Is this a Mission: Impossible movie, as advertised, or some M:I-themed podcast? The spectacle, when it tardily follows, is subpar; nothing rivals the train derailment in 2023's Dead Reckoning, which perversely benefitted from McQuarrie's yen for stringing matters out. A soggy deep dive, cramped and claustrophobic, offers another (this time depressurised) chamber piece; during a rote subterranean shootout, we learn world-ending AI generators can apparently be stored in complex cave systems. (I mean, how long's the extension cable?) The biplane conclusion feels more like the M:Is of yore, but chiefly reminds you of Top Gun: Maverick's superior engineering. Too often, McQuarrie has deferred to Cruise and his exhausted stunt coordinators; as a result, the series' bank of memorable images has dwindled. At this length, other flaws become apparent. While the cast expanded once the series set up shop in London, the supporting players now have far less to do, save raise sporadic eyebrows in Hunt's direction. McQuarrie has penned great intros for his women (Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell), but they're then stranded because Cruise is neither Cary Grant nor Colin Farrell. (Onscreen chemistry remains his most impossible mission.) Making artificial intelligence (AI) the villain in 2025 is a resonant choice, but it's never developed beyond abstract concept; the human big bad (the ever-underused Esai Morales) is an afterthought. Late M:I is mostly All About Tom, or as the credits frame it: Tom Cruise in A Tom Cruise Production. Maybe the star still has enough goodwill in the tank to get the series over the line financially, but creatively, The Final Reckoning is a busted flush: the fact it's been outperformed on opening weekend by a live-action Lilo & Stitch seems in some way telling. For his part, Cruise has earned the right to stand alone and unbowed atop the BFI Imax like the world's most celebrated Antony Gormley figure; his stardom has only been reaffirmed over the course of the past quarter-century. But it's a problem when your publicity stunts generate punchier images than anything in the film you're promoting. That long-lit fuse flickered out before it reached the explosives; and in any event, the gelignite has been swapped for flannel and waffle.
Pink Villa
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Tom Cruise soars even at the age of 62 with Mission Impossible
Tom Cruise has become inseparable from the image of Ethan Hunt, the indomitable IMF agent who races against time to save the world in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Over the past two decades, Cruise has redefined action cinema not only through gripping narratives but through jaw-dropping stunts that have become the franchise's signature. From scaling the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol, to clinging onto the side of a flying airplane in Rogue Nation, free-solo climbing in Fallout, and leaping off cliffs on motorcycles in Dead Reckoning, these feats have turned each installment into a global cinematic event. What makes it all the more remarkable is that at 62, Cruise continues to perform these stunts himself, redefining what it means to be an action hero in the modern era. His box office triumph with Top Gun: Maverick—his highest-grossing film to date—further cemented his stature, once again portraying a fearless maverick who defies odds and age with the same fervor as his fictional counterparts. Yet this sustained relevance is no accident. It is the result of Cruise 's relentless and almost obsessive desire to entertain audiences on their terms. He understands the pulse of the moviegoing public better than most of his contemporaries, and over the years, he has fine-tuned his choices to deliver maximum cinematic impact. This has also meant, at times, letting the actor within him take a step back so the global superstar persona can take over. Cruise isn't just performing for the camera—he's performing for the legacy of cinema itself. In doing so, he has carved out a space that no other actor of his generation currently occupies. Despite the recent tilt toward action spectacles, Cruise's acting résumé is a reminder that he is far more than just an adrenaline-fueled daredevil. In the early years of his career, he consistently showcased his range and emotional depth. Breakout roles in Risky Business (1983) and Top Gun (1986) catapulted him to stardom, while performances in The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988), and Born on the Fourth of July (1989) proved his mettle as a serious actor. His portrayal of Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam War veteran, earned him his first Oscar nomination and widespread critical acclaim. Throughout the 1990s, Cruise continued to impress with layered roles in A Few Good Men (1992), The Firm (1993), Jerry Maguire (1996)—which earned him another Oscar nod—and Magnolia (1999), where his role as a toxic self-help guru drew both shock and praise, culminating in his third Academy Award nomination. Cruise has also shown a surprising knack for comedy and reinvention. His unrecognizable, hilarious cameo as the profane studio head Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder (2008) became instantly iconic and reminded audiences of his fearlessness as a performer. In American Made (2017), he took on the morally complex real-life role of Barry Seal, a commercial pilot turned drug runner, balancing charm with nuance in one of his most underrated performances. And yet, despite these strong performances, it is the franchise juggernauts—especially Mission: Impossible—that have fueled his dominance at the box office in recent years. Original titles like Oblivion (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), and American Made were met with critical approval but couldn't replicate the financial might of his action franchises. Rather than resist this shift, Cruise embraced it, understanding that in the age of IPs, sequels, and cinematic universes, he needed to evolve with the industry while still retaining what made him special. There was, however, a time not too long ago when studios began to question Cruise's box office reliability. Around the release of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011, Paramount sought to inject younger blood into the franchise to potentially carry it forward without him. Jeremy Renner was introduced as Brandt, a capable IMF agent with the skills and charisma to conceivably take over as the face of the franchise. Later, in Fallout (2018), Henry Cavill —fresh off playing Superman—was cast as CIA operative August Walker, a physically imposing presence meant to challenge Cruise's Ethan Hunt and perhaps even hint at a generational handoff. Both actors were excellent additions, and Cavill's brutal bathroom brawl with Cruise remains a series highlight. But despite these attempts, one truth became increasingly evident: there is no Mission: Impossible without Tom Cruise. Instead of fading into the background, Cruise doubled down, performing more outrageous stunts, taking more creative control, and fully reasserting himself as the indispensable engine of the franchise. Today, Mission: Impossible is more than just a spy series. It is a celebration of physical filmmaking, of real stunts performed by a real star, in an era increasingly dominated by CGI and virtual production. In many ways, Cruise is the last of the old-guard global movie stars—his name alone can still draw crowds worldwide. While others rely on shared universes and ensemble casts, Cruise remains a solo force of nature, committed to bringing audiences back to theaters for an experience they can't get anywhere else. Whether as the charming romantic, the dramatic powerhouse, or the fearless action icon, Tom Cruise continues to evolve, entertain, and endure. In a fast-changing industry, his career stands as a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and relevance.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Will Tom Cruise Finally Make a Bollywood Film? Mission: Impossible Stars Dream of India
A car chase in Mumbai, maybe a motorcycle one or just a a scooter caper through jammed streets. And a visit hopefully soon. For the "Mission: Impossible" cast, an India trip ranks high on the checklist of things to do. So, if Isai Morales, the villain in the just released "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning", hopes to come to India this summer itself, co-star Simon Pegg says he would love to visit them all, the cities and its beaches, and Hayley Atwell speaks of her love for Indian food. "I was really disappointed when we did 'Ghost Protocol' in 2011 because there was a section of the movie which was set in India. And I know Tom (Cruise) went out there and he had some amazing pictures taken next to the Taj Mahal," Pegg, who plays tech whiz Benji Dunn in the spy movie series, told PTI in a virtual interview. "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is the eighth and possibly the final instalment of the franchise which started with 1996's "Mission: Impossible". The lead star in all eight has been Cruise, whose role as spy agent Ethan Hunt has worldwide fan following. Where would Pegg like to film a future instalment of the franchise, known for its many high-octane action sequences often shot in exotic locations? Keen to visit India and thinking of ways to get here, the British actor responded, "Maybe a car chase through Mumbai. Is it possible to have a car chase in Mumbai or would it just be like a traffic jam?" His co-star Greg Tarzan Davis chimed in, saying a car chase in Mumbai would be "insane". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fuori tutto Ariel climatizzatori: prendi 2 paghi 1 Ariel Energia Scopri di più Undo Actor Pom Klementieff added, "It would have to be a motorcycle chase. They have a lot motorcycles there." To this, Pegg said, "Maybe a scooter chase then." Atwell and Morales echoed them. "I've never been to India. I would love the opportunity to work there. I love Indian food. We have some incredible Indian restaurants in London," Atwell, who plays the role of thief-turned-spy Grace, told PTI in a separate interview. "I may go there soon.. I may go there this summer if the stars aligned," added Morales. "The Final Reckoning" sees Hunt racing against time to stop a rogue AI known as 'The Entity' from gaining total control over the world's digital infrastructure and starting a nuclear war among the nations. It is a sequel to 2023's "Dead Reckoning". Cruise, who has headlined all the "Mission: Impossible" films since the first chapter in 1996, also recalled visiting India for "Ghost Protocol" promotions. "I feel so much love for India. India is an amazing country, people, and culture. I have to say the whole experience has been etched in my memory. Every single moment. From the moment I landed, going to the Taj Mahal, and spending time in Mumbai, I remember each moment quite vividly," the Hollywood superstar said in a promotional clip released by Paramount Pictures India last week. Cruise also expressed his wish to make a Bollywood-style film , especially one with song and dance sequences. "I love it when in a scene someone suddenly breaks into a song. I love it. It's something that I have grown up watching - musicals from different countries. I love Bollywood movies. You can just break out into a song, it's so beautiful. I love dancing, singing, and the actors. That is such a unique experience and craftsmanship of the actors to be able to sing, dance, and act," he said. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Tom Cruise has a smart career strategy that's helped him stay relevant after 40 years in Hollywood
Tom Cruise returns with death-defying stunts in "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning." In 2023, Cruise told Business Insider that he's "always pushing" to make his films bigger and better. Cruise's commitment to his craft, including doing his own stunts, keeps audiences coming back for more. Tom Cruise has been entertaining film fans for over 40 years and, despite weathering his fair share of controversies, is widely considered the last great movie star. How did he do it? The answer is simple: stunts. In the 15 years since the release of 2011's "Ghost Protocol," the fourth " Mission: Impossible" film, Cruise has done increasingly hair-raising stunts in each of his new movies: whether he's climbing the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, or clinging to a plane as it takes off. Earlier in his career, Cruise acted in a greater mix of genres, including the 1994 horror "Interview with the Vampire," the 1996 comedy-drama "Jerry Maguire," and the 1999 erotic thriller "Eyes Wide Shut." In that era, he was considered widely a sex symbol. Now, he trades in extaordinay feats. Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eammon Jacobs (@eammonjacobs) "Every time they say, 'Can you top it? Can you not top it?' We're always pushing. Every film I do, whatever genre it's in, I want to make it as entertaining as possible for that audience. I know I can do things better," he said. And it's a winning tactic. " Top Gun: Maverick," in which Cruise flew in real fighter jets, raked in $1.5 billion in 2022, while "Dead Reckoning," where he leapt off a mountain on a motorbike, made $567 million. In "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning," which is out on Friday, Cruise performs two nerve-shredding stunts: a scuba dive into the wreck of a submarine that rolls down into an ocean trench, and the climactic third act, where his character clings on to a biplane in flight. It's expected to make $80 million in its opening weekend, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing the National Research Group. Cruise's enduring star power can even grab the attention of the most seasoned industry insiders. Rob Mitchell, the director of theatrical insights at film tech company Gower St. Analytics, recalled working as a sales analyst at Paramount in 2011, when employees did a set visit to see Cruise climb the Burj Khalifa. "Everyone was taking pictures inside the Burj Khalifa, with Tom Cruise outside waving in," he told BI. These sorts of stunts signal to audiences that Cruise is a bona fide star who is hardworking and takes his craft seriously—all ingredients of a movie more likely to be worth their hard-earned cash. Referring to "Mission: Impossible," Mitchell said: "There comes a point where people aren't really going for the story as much as they are for the excitement and the thrills." "In an era dominated by CGI superheroes, Cruise's staying power lies in the 'authenticity' of his performances," Stuart Joy, the course leader of film and TV at Solent University, UK, told BI. "Like Christopher Nolan, he champions analogue filmmaking in a digital age. But while Nolan does so behind the camera through practical effects and large-format film, Cruise embodies it on screen through real stunts and real danger." Cruise's dedication to filmmaking has taken him around the world. During an interview at the BFI in London in May, he said he would "force" studios to send him to different countries to learn how movies were made there. He also said encourages younger stars to "spend time in the editing room, produce a movie, study old movies, recognize what the composition is giving you, know what those lenses are, understand the lighting and how to use it for your benefit." Last year, Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" costar Glen Powell told GQ that he was sent to a theater in Los Angeles to watch a six-hour "film-school" movie that Cruise made just for his friends. "[Cruise] is like: 'Do we all agree that this is what a camera is? This is the difference between a film camera and a digital camera…' The funniest part is on flying. It was like he put together this entire flight school. So he would literally go 'OK, this is what a plane is. Here's how things fly. Here's how air pressure works,'" Powell said. Centering his career around stunts is a smart PR move As well as being undeniably impressive, stunts help to keep past controversies out of the conversation, Joy said. "Cruise's transition from character-driven roles to stunt-centered performances seems intentional, not just as a creative decision but as a deliberate attempt to recalibrate public perceptions of his star persona," he said. "After the mid-2000s controversies (most infamously the Oprah's sofa moment and scrutiny of his ties to Scientology) Cruise has successfully redirected the audience's attention," Joy added, referring to the moment in 2005 when he jumped on Winfrey's sofa while talking about his love for his then-girlfriend, and now ex-wife, Katie Holmes. "Rather than inviting emotional connection through vulnerability, he now earns our praise and admiration through the spectacle of physical risk," Joy said. Next, Cruise plans to shoot a movie in space with his "Edge of Tomorrow" and "American Made" collaborator, director Doug Liman. In 2020, Deadline reported that Universal planned to spend $200 million on the film, and collaborate with Elon Musk's SpaceX to shoot it. Cruise and Liman were originally set to take flight in 2021, but the project is yet to materialize. If it does get off the ground, audiences will likely flock to see "the ultimate Tom Cruise movie," as Mitchell puts it. But wherever Cruise's career takes him next, Joy said that one thing is for certain: "He's made himself the guardian of a traditional cinematic spectacle."
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Simon Pegg mowed a landing pad for Tom Cruise's helicopter in his backyard, adds his wife and daughter refused Cruise's chopper tour of London
The Mission: Impossible series has had many iconic characters over the years, such as Luther Stickell, Julia Meade and William Brandt. But one of the most beloved characters in the franchise is Ethan Hunt's man behind the computer, Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg. The actor recently talked about Tom Cruise's love for flying helicopters and revealed some secret talents of his own. While making an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote Mission: Impossible Final Reckoning, Simon shared some stories of his good friend and co-star Cruise and how he behaves like Ethan Hunt in real life as well. 'For him that's his life. I remember having to mow a landing pad in my garden for him to come to my house for a cup of tea. The chopper landed; he came in and showed us clips from the movie. He even asked my daughter and wife, 'Do you want a tour around London?' and they said, 'No.'' ALSO READ: Tom Cruise shrugs off father's day question after daughter Suri dropped his name following a decade of of estrangement The actor added that slowly and surely working with Cruise rubbed off on him, and he started working out to look better in the films. According to Pegg, after looking at his transformation, Cruise decided to give him a rather appreciative nickname. 'The first iteration of Benji was a little tubby. I got in shape for Ghost Protocol, and I realised that I love doing this. So I started working out even more, and then Tom started calling me 'six-pack Peggle''. In the same interview the actor revealed that Cruise isn't the only superstar he shares the big stage with and talked about how he played the Glastonbury Music Festival with the biggest band in the world, Coldplay. 'The first time I played with the band was in London, and whenever they used to play in the city, Chris Martin would tell me to play the harmonica with them on the stage. I used to get so nervous, and eventually I just switched to the tambourine because you cannot hit a bum note with that. Every now and then I go and see them, and they hand me the instrument on a silver cushion; I play one song, feel what it's like to be a rockstar, and then go home.' Apart from the Mission: Impossible franchise, Pegg has many impressive notches on his belt, like Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), The Adventures of Tintin (2011) and Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012). He is seen reprising his role as tech expert Benji Dunn in the latest Mission: Impossible, Dead Reckoning.
