Latest news with #Mission:Impossible—TheFinalReckoning
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cruise control locked in for the long run
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, now playing at a multiplex near you, is the latest entry in a franchise that started way back in 1996. While these blockbuster flicks are ostensibly about the high-stakes missions of crack espionage operative Ethan Hunt, at the most profound and elemental level, the eight M:I movies are about Tom Cruise running. Of course, he also climbs, dives, parachutes, rides motorcycles, clings to airplane wings, pilots helicopters and jumps off cliffs, but the simplest, purest expression of Cruise's superstar persona, of his cinematic embodiment of relentless physical intensity, has to be those iconic, repeated, seemingly contractually obligated running sequences. You can find supercuts of 'Tom Cruise Running' on YouTube, the longest now clocking in at almost 19 minutes. There are videos devoted to charting the evolution of his running style from 1981's Taps (arms all anyhow, knees a bit slack) to his current preferred approach (compressed, precise, palms slicing the air like knives). There's a hardcore fan on Reddit who has listed, described and ranked 295 Tom Cruise Running scenes, from casual jogs to life-and-death sprints. There are online forums where runners and trainers and kinesiologists weigh in, analyzing his form. 'He's actually very inefficient and expends a lot of energy with his short choppy stride and tense upper body,' carps one observer, while others praises his 'high cadence,' 'core stability' and 'good knee lift.' There are deep statistical dives into how Cruise's running time correlates to critical response and ticket sales. Rotten Tomatoes recently got out the pedometer and crunched the numbers to determine that the more Tom Cruise runs in a movie, the higher its RT score and the bigger its box office take. There are some Tom Cruise Running buffs who like his duck-and-weave stuff — when he's dodging bullets, explosions, aliens, oncoming cars — viewing it as more expressive, more varied, more unpredictable. But purists tend to prefer the laser-like straight-line sprints, with the furious propulsion of the legs contrasting so effectively with the strange suspended stillness of the upper body. This is certainly the most characteristic and cinematic expression of the Cruise mystique — when he's running with hyper-focused force through some international locale, intense, unstoppable and alone, in an unalloyed distillation of physical will. Cruise gets one of these sequences — of course he does — in this latest M:I movie, racing through an eerily empty London street on his way to save the entire planet. And while we can talk about how Tom runs in 2025 — his form still looks terrific — maybe we should also talk about why. Often billed as 'The Last Movie Star,' the 62-year-old Cruise seems to be trying to outrun time. This notion is borne out by the data journalism. Rotten Tomatoes, reporting that Cruise has covered 'over 32,444 feet on screen throughout his 44 years,' adds that the older he gets, the more he runs. 'He covered almost the same amount of ground in 2006's Mission: Impossible III (3,212 feet) as he did in the entirety of the 1980s (12 movies, 3,299 feet run), and five of his top 10 running films were released after 2010 — the year he turned 48.' That tracks. As an actor, Cruise will never be known for intellectual introspection or layered emotional work. He's a star because of his physical, kinetic energy and charisma, his discipline and dedication, his loony insistence on doing his own daring, even dangerous stunts. Alberto Pezzali/The Associated Press Files Tom Cruise poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' in London. And because his brand is his body, Cruise has become, in recent years, even more intent on proving it's still functioning at peak levels. The Final Reckoning has triphibian action set-pieces, testing Cruise's speed, strength and endurance on land, air and water. On top of the running scenes, there's a biplane dogfight over a South African mountain range and a frigid, silent, dark diving scene in the Bering Strait. There's also an obligatory underwear fight sequence, just to strip things down to essentials. As Cruise runs more and more, his Ethan Hunt character has also changed, morphing from super-spy to superhero to — ultimately — a kind of demigod. In this latest instalment, Ethan Hunt is the only one who can save humankind. He suffers, dies and is resurrected for all of us. He is positioned as more than a man — he is a messianic figure, a manifestation of destiny, a force of nature. Monthly What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. An email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. The Final Reckoning, which spends so much time on callbacks, recaps and fan-service montages, also feels like an elegiac adieu to this almost three-decade-old franchise, which started when Cruise was 33. Actors respond to this kind of hinge-point in their careers in different ways. Sometimes they shift from leading-man roles to craggy character parts. Sometimes they subvert their onetime action-man legacies with comic spoofs or poignant counterpoints. I don't see Tom Cruise doing any of these things. And maybe that's the way it should be. When I consider his post Mission: Impossible filmography, I imagine him running, running, always running, toward a distant horizon line. Alison GillmorWriter Studying at the University of Winnipeg and later Toronto's York University, Alison Gillmor planned to become an art historian. She ended up catching the journalism bug when she started as visual arts reviewer at the Winnipeg Free Press in 1992. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits USD 5M on Wednesday, nears USD 100M domestic milestone
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning continues to stay steady at the domestic box office, adding a decent USD 5 million to its domestic tally on Wednesday. This represents a 30.2 percent drop from Tuesday Discount Day, which would have been modest for any other title, but for a film with franchise legacy and a star like Tom Cruise attached, it is concerning. Despite the wane, The Final Reckoning remained ahead of its predecessor, Dead Reckoning, which earned USD 4.7 million on its comparable day with a steeper 34.8 percent decline. With Wednesday's take, the long-anticipated action thriller has now reached a USD 91.2 million domestic cume and is expected to cross the USD 100 million mark before the second weekend rolls in. The Final Reckoning also secured the No. 11 spot among the biggest Memorial Day Wednesday grosses of all time. While it trails heavyweights like Top Gun: Maverick (USD 14.8M), Lilo & Stitch (USD 10M), and The Little Mermaid (USD 8.3M), its USD 5M Wednesday outpaces Solo: A Star Wars Story (USD 4.9M) and holds up well against other franchise-heavy titles such as Fast & Furious 6 and X-Men: Days of Future Past. What makes this run especially remarkable is that the film is achieving these numbers with fewer screenings due to its extended runtime and a lower theater count, the smallest since Ghost Protocol, all while going head-to-head with another box office behemoth, Disney's Lilo & Stitch. Yet, Cruise's enduring star power and the franchise's devoted following have ensured the entry doesn't completely tank in terms of commercial performance. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, The Final Reckoning picks up directly after 2023's Dead Reckoning Part One and follows Ethan Hunt and his IMF team as they confront a rogue AI called Entity threatening global catastrophe. The ensemble cast includes Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. After years in development, halted production due to COVID-19 and the SAG-AFTRA strikes, the film released globally on May 23. Premiering in Tokyo and screening at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie has received strong reviews and has grossed USD 227.1 million worldwide, becoming the eighth highest-grossing film of 2025. As it nears the USD 100 million domestic milestone, The Final Reckoning continues to demonstrate solid staying power, though its long-term success will depend on how it holds up amid increasing competition in the weeks ahead.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tom Cruise reflects on his 30-year Mission Impossible journey, fans wonder if it is a farewell message
Hollywood star Tom Cruise is taking a moment to reflect on his 30-year journey with the Mission: Impossible franchise, as the latest instalment, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, performs well globally. His note has sparked speculation among fans, leaving them wondering if it's a farewell message from the actor. Also read: Is Mission Impossible The Final Reckoning final film in franchise? Angela Bassett says, 'you can't count Tom Cruise out' Tom shared a heartfelt message on social media platforms Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to everyone involved in the Mission: Impossible franchise. He confessed that the films took him on an 'adventure of a lifetime". Tom shared a nostalgic photo collection from the Mission: Impossible franchise, featuring every director he's worked with on the films, alongside action-packed and behind-the-scenes moments that highlight the camaraderie and adventure of the series. The photos showcase Tom performing breathtaking stunts throughout the Mission: Impossible films, including hanging upside down, sitting atop the Burj Khalifa, jumping from a plane, and hanging off a cliff by a single rock. Sharing the images, Tom wrote, 'Over 30 years ago, I began the journey of producing my first film, Mission: Impossible. Since then, these eight films have taken me on the adventure of a lifetime'. 'To the incredible directors, actors, artists, and crews across the globe that have helped bring these stories to life, I thank you. It has been a privilege to work alongside you all. Most importantly, I want to thank the audience, for whom it is our great pleasure to create these films, and for whom we all serve. We're thrilled to share The Final Reckoning with you,' he added. A post shared by Tom Cruise (@tomcruise) The post has left fans nostalgic about the iconic franchise, thanking Tom for the thrilling ride. However, the tone has also sparked speculation, making fans wonder if Tom is bidding a final farewell to the role of Ethan Hunt. Filmmaker Farah Khan wrote, 'I want to be the BURJ KHALIFA.. Tommmmmm', and actor Ishaan Khatter shared, 'This post just goes so hard. Absolute legend. I doff my hat, sir. Thank you for being an inspiration to generations of actors like myself'. 'From the beginning to the final reckoning,' one comment read, with another reading, 'This is so epic dude…we need to see more of these retro moments. Blows my mind'. 'It was a good run,' shared one. One social media user wrote, 'You know you still have to go in to space for real, so you have to do one more mission'. 'Sad that it has to come to an end,' one fan shared. Tom returned as Ethan Hunt to save the day and escape trouble in Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning. Christopher McQuarrie, who has directed every movie in the series since Rogue Nation, helmed this film, which was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Mission: Impossible 7 and 8 were initially shot as Dead Reckoning—Part One and Two, but after the seventh film, it was retitled. It also stars Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klemetieff, Shea Whigham, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Nick Offerman and Greg Tarzan Davis. The film was released in India on May 17. The opening ticket sales for the Tom-starrer set a record for the franchise, which has generated more than $4 billion worldwide. Box Office Mojo reported that the film earned $77 million domestically in its four-day opening weekend, and $204 million worldwide.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie Are Having ‘Serious Conversations' About a ‘Tropic Thunder' Spinoff
Though still in the thick of promoting 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,' writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise are already working on their next pair-up — it just might not be what you expect. 'The conversations we've had about Les Grossman are so fucking funny,' McQuarrie said in a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on his 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. More from IndieWire 'Mission: Impossible': Director Christopher McQuarrie Climbed Onto the Wing of a 140-mph Plane Himself All 8 'Mission: Impossible' Movies, Ranked Worst to Best Cruise played the fictional Hollywood power player in the 2008 satire 'Tropic Thunder' from director Ben Stiller. Heavily modeled on Scott Rudin, Grossman is a Diet Coke-swilling, obscenity-prone producer with no filter and tendencies toward anger, as well as dance. It may sound silly to center an entire film around him, but McQuarrie and Cruise are actively looking for a way in. 'We're having serious conversations about it and how best to do it,' McQuarrie said. 'It ultimately comes down to what that character is.' The big question remains whether people will want to watch a film with Grossman as the lead character. McQuarrie explained that the 'leading man' status Cruise holds makes it difficult to place him in roles that are so monstrous. Even with 'Magnolia,' which earned Cruise an Academy Award nomination, the actor was part of a very large ensemble, making it easier for him not to have to carry the whole film. 'Ethan Hunt, a character of whom people can be critical, is on rails,' said McQuarrie. 'There's so little he is able to do outside of his responsibilities as a leading man and when you try and push those boundaries, 'Mission' instantaneously cease to become 'Mission.'' Right now, McQuarrie and Cruise are not trying to figure out a plot to drop Grossman into as much as they're thinking of specific scenes they'd like to see him play. Moreover, discussing ideas around this character has offered a welcome reprieve from their other responsibilities, particularly on 'The Final Reckoning.' 'Just to be sitting at the breakfast table, not talking about the movie we're making for a minute,' McQuarrie told Horowitz, 'is such decompression. And just riffing with Tom, playing to Les Grossman — it was one of the real joys of making this movie.' In addition to this possible 'Tropic Thunder' spinoff, McQuarrie and Cruise are also working on a number of other ideas, including a 'Days of Thunder' sequel, another installment in the 'Top Gun' franchise, and a musical. Watch McQuarrie's full interview on 'Happy Sad Confused' below. 'Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning' is currently in theaters from Paramount Pictures. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sean Penn Says Tom Cruise Is the ‘Best Stuntman in Movie World'
Sean Penn is pointing to how Tom Cruise is saving Hollywood, one stunt at a time. The 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' actor and producer famously throws himself off buildings, narrowly hangs out of planes, and holds his breath for minutes at a time underwater for roles. And according to Penn, it's all proof that Cruise is the 'best stuntman' out there. Just don't tell Keanu Reeves or Chad Stahelski and David Leitch — or any of the army of full-time professional stunt perfomers. Penn said during 'The Louis Theroux Podcast' that Cruise is clearly 'a guy who pursues excellence on a very high level,' including his own stunt work. 'Certain kind of movies people appreciate more than others… but this is a very good actor who is also an incredibly extraordinary craftsman,' Penn said of Cruise. 'Those movies don't get made on those level without somebody extraordinary behind them. He's the common link behind many of them. It's no accident. He does his own stunts. He's probably the best stuntman in the movie world. He's the most experienced guy.' More from IndieWire 'Mirrors No. 3' Review: Christian Petzold's Minor Key Is a Major One for His Beautifully Concussed Protagonist, Played by Paula Beer 'Urchin' Review: Harris Dickinson's Bracing Directorial Debut Offers a Modern Riff on Mike Leigh's 'Naked' During the Cannes press conference for the 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' premiere, Cruise explained how timing real stunts within a narrative structure is akin to being 'a Swiss watch of keeping the audience's attention.' Cruise continued that collaborating with camera operators is key: 'It's finding the camera positions and all of the engineering,' Cruise said. 'It represents thousands of hours of work of many people, craftsmen, pilots, engineers, decades of work to be able to develop these things, which is studying these aerial sequences. I fly jets, I fly aerobatic airplanes, helicopters. And then how do we apply an understanding of those physics? I will be pulling this in or parachuting, and I say, 'OK, I understand enough about this. I really do believe we can do it.'' 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' director Christopher McQuarrie specifically cited how Cruise lit his own shot for a jaw-dropping (and already viral) biplane sequence that serves as the climax for the action film. 'Tom is lighting the shot by how he's positioning the plane in its relationship to the sun, and he's operating focus just off-camera,' McQuarrie said, adding that there was no crew with Cruise as he flew solo at 10,000 feet. 'He is the crew in every single shot you see. I'm talking to Tom on a radio where he can barely hear me, and he's flying in an open cockpit.' McQuarrie continued, 'Watching Tom, at the point of physical exhaustion, get himself up because the plane can't land if Tom's on the wing. He's got three minutes to get up, but he's been on that wing for 20 minutes, and we watched as he pulled himself up and stuck his head in the cockpit so that he could replenish the oxygen in his body and then climb up into the cockpit and bring the plane safely down to land. No one on Earth can do that.' And perhaps Cruise could land an Oscar for his stunt work: The Academy announced that the 2028 Oscar ceremony will include the first-ever Best Stunt Design award. 'John Wick' director Chad Stahelski, who was Keanu Reeves' stunt double on the first 'Matrix' film, and his 87Eleven co-founder David Leitch were instrumental in getting award recognition for stunt people. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
