Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4/5

Plot
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, brings closure to Ethan Hunt's (Tom Cruise) saga as the IMF agent assembles his core team—Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), and Grace (Hayley Atwell)—to thwart the Entity, a rogue AI that's seized global nuclear arsenals. From underwater infiltrations to aerial dogfights, Hunt races against a shadowy cabal led by Gabriel (Esai Morales) to prevent Armageddon, confronting personal losses and the toll of his endless mission along the way.

My Thoughts
As a big fan of the franchise, I was really looking forward to seeing this and even ventured out to the theater to watch it in May. Overall, it delivers an entertaining send-off to the franchise—unless they decide to make another one—with plenty of spectacle and team banter that keeps the energy high, though it's not without its flaws. The first hour does a good job of laying the story's groundwork, recapping the Entity's threat and Hunt's fractured alliances, but some may find it a bit slow as it prioritizes setup over immediate thrills.

The action scenes are visually stimulating with their death-defying stunts—practical feats like Cruise's submarine dive and biplane maneuvers push the limits—but they go on for a bit too which will you’re your endurance (and your bladder—the film runs 168 minutes). Regardless, I really enjoyed the Easter eggs from previous films, like callbacks to the original's self-destruct message and mask tech, plus the cameo appearances from past films that add nostalgic weight without feeling forced. Cruise remains the unbreakable core, with Pegg providing reliable levity, and the script ties up arcs neatly enough to satisfy longtime fans such as myself.

I have zero complaints with the presentation and the 4K UHD image is flawless. It features sharp detail throughout the film, especially in close-ups of the actors and the elaborate stunts. Colors never miss a beat with accurate Arctic blues and other strong primaries. Contrast never wavers and I didn’t notice any artifacts to speak of. Like other Cruise films, this is presented with a variable aspect ratio with action sequences presented in the 1.90:1 IMAX format and the rest of the film at 2.39:1. I’ve personally grown tired of this and prefer the 2.39:1 image myself.

The Dolby Atmos track delivers immersive chaos that places you in the middle of the action. Dialog stays clear amid the hectic action scenes and the overhead speaker really come alive with discrete effects. What’s particularly impressive is the LFE, which blasts with authority, and will be one of the best demo tracks for years to come. 

Video 10/10
Audio 10/10  (Dolby Atmos)

Special Features:

• Two Audio Commentaries
• Behind the Scenes Production featurettes
• Deleted Shots Montage
• Olifants River Canyon & Biplane Transfer
• Isolated Score Audio Track
• 4 Promo Spots
• Photo Galleries & Bios
• 4K + Blu-ray + Digital Code

Conclusion
If this really is the final Mission Impossible film, then it certainly ends on a high note. The film is wildly entertaining with a strong setup and a nod to fans outweigh the pacing drags and overlong set pieces. As much as I liked the film, the A/V presentation is phenomenal with perfect audio and video that make the stunts explode off the screen. Highly recommended.


Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

Got my 4K copy on the way. I also saw it in the theater. Need to watch the previous movie again, and then this one!

[Barry]

https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=4526.msg30042#msg30042


My review for us

[bmoney]

Agreed with your take. Great “ending”

[SRW1000]

The movie has thrilling stunts combined with spectacular audio and video but suffers from action inflation.  Not only does it feel it needs to top the previous entries, but each elaborate showpiece also feels like it needs to top the previous one with failure meaning nothing short than the end of the world.  As fun as those sequences were, it became rather exhausting by the end of its runtime.

It's all just too much to absorb on top of ever-cascading odds, it may have been better named Mission Preposterous.  The movies have always stretched the idea of what's realistic, but this one just keeps piling them on top of one another to the point where it lost me.  It was enjoyable on a thrill ride level but felt hollow on the story side of things.

If there is another chapter in this series I'm hoping they can come back to smaller, more covert stories that focus on the cloak and dagger side of things rather than stunt showpieces.  The budget for intrigue is much lower than it would be for these gargantuan productions but can prove to be more exciting and involving.

Sometimes bigger isn't better.

[David Vaughn]

The movie has thrilling stunts combined with spectacular audio and video but suffers from action inflation.  Not only does it feel it needs to top the previous entries, but each elaborate showpiece also feels like it needs to top the previous one with failure meaning nothing short than the end of the world.  As fun as those sequences were, it became rather exhausting by the end of its runtime.

It's all just too much to absorb on top of ever-cascading odds, it may have been better named Mission Preposterous.  The movies have always stretched the idea of what's realistic, but this one just keeps piling them on top of one another to the point where it lost me.  It was enjoyable on a thrill ride level but felt hollow on the story side of things.

If there is another chapter in this series I'm hoping they can come back to smaller, more covert stories that focus on the cloak and dagger side of things rather than stunt showpieces.  The budget for intrigue is much lower than it would be for these gargantuan productions but can prove to be more exciting and involving.

Sometimes bigger isn't better.

Well said Scott. If you go back and watch the very first film you can definitely see how things accelerated compared to that more cerebral affair. Sure, there was the train sequence in that one, but the break-in at the CIA was extremely well done and somewhat believable

[bmoney]

at least its not the level of the Fast and the furious

went from street racing and truck heists to sending a car into outter space lmao

[David Vaughn]

at least its not the level of the Fast and the furious

went from street racing and truck heists to sending a car into outter space lmao

ROFL....yes, they definitely jumped the shark (multiple times!). 

[Paul Heroy]

Ha, great comp to F&F. It's not my usual kind of movie to watch but I like cars, so I got the FF 8 movie boxed set cheap several years ago. When Dwayne Johnson came aboard the series noticeably changed to big stunts that had to be outdone for each successive movie. The TV series 24 suffered from the same "must outdo the previous outlandish and contrived spectacle" self parody.

[bmoney]

Ha, great comp to F&F. It's not my usual kind of movie to watch but I like cars, so I got the FF 8 movie boxed set cheap several years ago. When Dwayne Johnson came aboard the series noticeably changed to big stunts that had to be outdone for each successive movie. The TV series 24 suffered from the same "must outdo the previous outlandish and contrived spectacle" self parody.

first 2 seasons of 24 were SO good.  i hate when they try to outdo themselves.  stick to the winning formula smh.  happens to youtube vloggers too.  they get too big and get weird

[David Vaughn]

first 2 seasons of 24 were SO good.  i hate when they try to outdo themselves.  stick to the winning formula smh.  happens to youtube vloggers too.  they get too big and get weird

I watched the first season of 24 and just never could get into it. (Neither could my wife). 

[bmoney]

i watched it on a portable dvd player while stuffing envelopes (temp job)lol

[David Vaughn]

i watched it on a portable dvd player while stuffing envelopes (temp job)lol

HAHA....now that's a good way to pass the time! I bet the clock moved backwards when you were doing that job. 

[bmoney]

HAHA....now that's a good way to pass the time! I bet the clock moved backwards when you were doing that job.

If I didn’t have that portable dvd player It would have been a VERY temp job lol