The most recent installment in the Mission: Impossible series, Dead Reckoning, marked the franchise’s official foray into science fiction territory, featuring intelligent AI as its primary antagonist. The series has consistently showcased Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt engaging in extraordinary feats, such as leaping off buildings and clinging to the side of airplanes. However, the challenge of battling a computer program poses a new and intriguing question. The latest trailer for the upcoming film, potentially the last to feature Hunt, does not provide a clear answer but hints at an increased emphasis on heart-stopping stunts, including hanging onto a flipping bi-plane, innovative gadgets, and Tom Cruise’s signature superhuman sprinting abilities.

In my review of Dead Reckoning, I noted: “While I have a deep appreciation for other action film franchises, such as the intricate choreography of John Wick or the absurdity of Fast and the Furious, Mission: Impossible stands out as uniquely captivating. The series remains committed to delivering breathtaking practical stunts, and its self-awareness allows it to cleverly poke fun at itself. A part of me holds onto the hope that a team of skilled individuals can somehow counter the excesses of AI.”

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning is set to hit theaters on June 23 is incorrect, it should be the same date as in the original: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23.