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Ever had that moment where a movie franchise you've loved for decades suddenly can't keep you awake? That's exactly what happened with "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning." After faithfully following Ethan Hunt's adventures since 1999, I found myself dozing off during what's supposedly the grand finale of Tom Cruise's signature action series.
What went wrong? The franchise that once delivered compelling stories and breathtaking stunts has gradually lost its edge. "Dead Reckoning Part One" started the downward spiral with an increasingly outlandish storyline, and this supposed conclusion doesn't improve matters. Despite moments of enjoyment that earned it a 2.5/5 rating, the film largely feels like an obligation rather than entertainment. Most frustrating is how it fails to provide closure, leaving the door open for more installments despite being marketed as the final chapter. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise continues to excel in other projects like "Top Gun: Maverick," suggesting perhaps it's time to let this particular franchise rest.
The episode's second feature, Netflix's "Holiday in the Wild," fares even worse. This Rob Lowe and Kristen Davis vehicle barely qualifies as a Christmas movie (earning just 1.5/5 on the Christmas scale) with only a brief mention of holiday cards in the opening scene. The predictable romance between a recently divorced woman and an elephant conservationist in Africa follows the Netflix/Hallmark formula to a tee, resulting in another movie that couldn't keep me awake. Despite Rob Lowe's charismatic performance, the film's formulaic approach and lack of compelling storytelling earned it a disappointing 1/5 overall rating.
Looking for more honest movie takes? Join me this Cinema Saturday for a double feature review of "Karate Kid Legends" and "Ballerina" from the John Wick universe – and I'll tell you why I enjoyed the latter despite its poor critical reception. Then next Tuesday, we'll unwrap "Four Christmases" as our holiday movie journey continues. Subscribe now and never miss an episode where every movie gets its close-up!