Ranking the Most Insane Stunts in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning!

by

Caution: The following discussion reveals spoilers for Mission: Impossible – Fallout!

Mission: Impossible – Fallout is packed with eight thrilling action sequences, all of which are ranked below. As the sixth installment in the popular Mission: Impossible series, this film delivers the nail-biting stunts, expansive action, and daring performances from Tom Cruise that fans have come to anticipate. Each movie in the action franchise has aimed to surpass its predecessor, and Fallout does not disappoint with its nearly two and a half hour runtime filled with adrenaline-pumping scenes and some of Tom Cruise’s most daring stunts.

(Note: The order of the ranked sequences may vary based on personal preference)

1. Helicopter Chase in Paris – This sequence is an exhilarating chase through the streets of Paris, culminating in a breathtaking helicopter fight scene with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and August Walker (Henry Cavill).

2. Motorcycle Chase in Kashmir – Hunt and Walker engage in a high-speed motorcycle chase across the mountainous terrain of Kashmir, leading to a dramatic cliffside confrontation.

3. Car Chase on London’s Rooftops – A tense car chase takes place on the rooftops of London, with Hunt pursuing a stolen nuclear bomb.

4. Skydiving Sequence – Hunt and Walker skydive from an airplane to retrieve a briefcase containing sensitive data, leading to a dangerous freefall fight scene.

5. Break-in at the Apostol Kamenarov’s Compound – Hunt infiltrates the heavily guarded compound of arms dealer Apostol Kamenarov to recover three plutonium cores.

6. The Prison Break – Hunt and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) team up to break out of a high-security prison.

7. Rooftop Fight in Belfast – Hunt faces off against the villainous Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) on the rooftops of Belfast, leading to an intense battle with hand-to-hand combat and innovative gadgets.

8. The Final Showdown – In the film’s climactic confrontation, Hunt faces off against Lane in a brutal fight that takes them from a construction site to the Paris Opera House.

Following the occurrences of “Dead Reckoning Part One,” “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” unfolds, focusing on Ethan and the IMF as they strive to halt an AI menace called the Entity from acquiring absolute control over global digital networks and initiating a nuclear catastrophe. As the fate of the world is at risk, the team battles against overwhelming odds in a perilous, globetrotting operation. From investigating submerged submarines to disarming explosives and life-threatening aerial combats, this mission pushes the gang into some extremely hazardous predicaments, as these eight scenes demonstrate.

7. Ethan Breaks Paris Out Of Graz-Karlau Prison

The First Action Sequence Of The Film Is A Bit Underwhelming

The film’s opening action scene involves Ethan rescuing Paris from the infamous Graz-Karlau prison in Austria, aiming to enlist her aid in tracking down Gabriel, who wounded her on a train in “Dead Reckoning Part One.” This sequence unfolds as a clandestine operation, where Paris initially struggles against Ethan and Benji, disguised individuals, combining silent approach with sudden physical confrontations.

Despite the impressive choreography and Pom Klementieff demonstrating her top-notch combat abilities, the fight scene feels somewhat brief and underwhelming. It ends quickly and transforms into a tense standoff rather than a captivating battle. Instead of being a highlight, it seems more like a prelude, reintroducing Paris as an ally, defining the team’s current standing, and setting the stage for their upcoming mission.

6. Gabriel, Ethan, Kittridge, And Briggs Face Off

Needed More Action

Upon reaching the secluded South African bunker, Ethan’s group stumbles into a prearranged ambush. Gabriel unveils a timebomb set to explode in 20 minutes, threatening to detonate unless they hand over the key module Ethan had retrieved from Sevastapool. Facing no other choice, Ethan consents. However, just as the exchange is about to take place, Kittridge and Briggs burst in with their own objectives – aiming to seize control of the Entity for the U.S. The ensuing conversation becomes tense and politically charged before escalating into a gunfight involving all three parties.

Even though the implications were significant, the scene might have been extended a bit more. With numerous key figures gathered together and Benji getting hurt, this suspenseful encounter seems to lack a proper climax. There are no intense conflicts that occur, with Kittridge and Briggs’ sudden appearance and Gabriel turning the tables on everyone providing most of the intrigue. It lays the groundwork for the epic action scene that occurs later in the movie, but this part falls short compared to what follows.

5. Ethan Goes Down To The Sevastopol Wreck

Slow Paced But Intriguing

This series focuses more on suspense rather than big-budget action, yet it maintains the adrenaline rushes that this series is known for. One particularly tense and nerve-wracking moment in “The Final Reckoning” occurs when Ethan dives into the submerged Sevastopol. He searches through the wreckage to find the module, encountering deceased crew members along with an abundance of torpedoes.

Following the acquisition of the module, Ethan unintentionally sets off the wreck to glide over the continental shelf. Despite the absence of physical combat in this sequence, the deliberate tempo generates genuine suspense, as every motion escalates the potential for explosion or collapse. The staging and imagery of this feat make it an incredibly captivating moment. Moreover, it adds to its appeal that it seems authentic following Cruise and McQuarrie’s efforts to improve upon the underwater set piece from Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.

4. Ethan Is Attacked On The USS Ohio

A Great Claustrophobic Fight

In the course of his mission to locate the submerged Sevastopol, Ethan embarks on the USS Ohio. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs. As he’s carrying out duties below deck, a mutinous crew member, hidden among the loyalists, assaults him. The ensuing battle, fought in the cramped confines of the submarine, is a high-tension, close-quarters brawl that is particularly noteworthy due to its intense, well-timed action sequences. This scene is striking because it employs a shock tactic, serving as a sudden alarm for viewers. Each metallic clang and swift movement heightens the sense of urgency and physicality for the audience, mirroring Ethan’s own experience.

The battle stands as a stark, realistic counterpoint to the movie’s opulence. Ethan appears exposed, clad merely in his underwear and devoid of nearby weapons, revealing his susceptibility. As it seems his adversary gains control, another team member steps in and rescues Ethan. Although fleeting, it’s one of the most gripping and authentic action sequences in the film.

3. Ethan And Grace Escape Gabriel

Ethan’s Most Aggressive Kills In The Film

In the thrilling second action scene of “The Final Reckoning,” it’s the initial one that truly stands out. I, as a fan, found myself gripped as Ethan and Grace were taken captive by Gabriel. He demanded that Ethan retrieve the Entity’s source code from Sevastopol. When Ethan refused, Gabriel made a chilling threat against Grace, forcing Ethan to pretend he had swallowed a cyanide capsule. Seizing the opportunity for distraction, I watched in awe as Ethan unleashed a ferocious battle, revealing his deadliest impulses.

This scene is particularly striking due to its intense portrayal of gruesome violence reminiscent of horror movies. Instead of showing Ethan’s kills directly, the camera concentrates on Grace’s shocked response. Upon returning to Ethan, one adversary is discovered pinned beneath an ominous metal container, while another lies atop it, impaled by a metal cleaver in his back. This scene serves as a bleak, graphic demonstration of Ethan’s actions when he feels threatened or his loved ones are in danger.

2. Ethan’s Team Against The Russians At St. Matthew Island

Everyone Plays A Crucial Role In The Fight

In the chilly, volatile sequence, Ethan’s squad is led to St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea, following Cold War-era sonar array findings that pinpointed the last known location of the Sevastopol’s signal. Upon arrival, they stumble upon William Donloe, a former CIA analyst disgraced from Mission: Impossible 1, who had been residing on the island for three decades and seemingly remembered the coordinates long ago. However, trouble brews when a Russian special forces team tracks them down in search of the same coordinates. As chaos erupts, the team battles fiercely to protect Donloe while he relays the coordinates to Ethan.

Each team member faces their trial by fire, as Benji, Degas, and Paris struggle valiantly to repel the Russians, while Grace and Tapeesa flee to rendezvous with Ethan for a decompression chamber upon his retrieval of the Rabbit’s Foot from Sevastopol. The intensity reaches its zenith when Donloe’s cabin ignites, yet he pulls through to send the transmission. This scene is particularly memorable as it offers every team member an opportunity to excel in a swift, pivotal series of events. With high stakes and unyielding action, it’s one of the film’s most visually striking and pulse-pounding action sequences.

1. The Plane Fight

One Of Mission: Impossible’s Best Stunts

In the climactic scene of “The Final Reckoning,” Ethan engages in a thrilling high-altitude pursuit of Gabriel aboard a biplane. This breathtaking stunt is among Tom Cruise’s most remarkable feats within the Mission: Impossible series, as it involves him battling not only on one but two biplanes. Over a year and a half was spent meticulously preparing for this daring airborne act, which included Cruise hanging from an upside-down plane while traveling at 140 miles per hour. The scene is dynamic and ever-changing, showcasing Cruise leaping from the ground onto one biplane, overpowering the pilot, then jumping off that aircraft to land on Gabriel’s for continued combat.

The careful preparation and execution showcase Cruise’s dedication to creating genuine, heart-pounding action scenes. This particular scene is a spectacle that must be witnessed on the big screen and will undoubtedly leave you in awe of how they managed such an aerial feat. The breathtaking quality of this moment undeniably places it among the top stunts in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and it stands tall when compared to the finest action sequences Tom Cruise has performed as Ethan Hunt.

Read More

2025-05-25 18:51