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Major Spoilers for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are below.

Summary

  • Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning reveals ties to earlier films, aiding in closure for the franchise.
  • The Final Reckoning has deep ties to 1996’s Mission: Impossible.
  • Final Reckoning finally reveals what Mission: Impossible III’s Rabbit’s Foot is, and the implications are monumental.

The much-anticipated “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” will soon grace our movie screens. While it has strong links to previous films in the series, these connections might not be the ones you’d expect.

In “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” director Christopher McQuarrie makes a comeback for his fourth time in the series, following 2015’s Rogue Nation. Tom Cruise reprises his role as the protagonist, joined once more by Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Nick Offerman, Esai Morales, and Angela Bassett. The plot unfolds post-events of “Dead Reckoning,” where Ethan Hunt and his team are on a mission to thwart the malevolent AI, known as The Entity.

The Final Reckoning boasts numerous links to previous Mission: Impossible movies. These links not only create a sense of continuity across the sprawling 30-year series but also contribute to wrapping up the final mission. Interestingly, these connections stretch beyond director McQuarrie’s tenure within the franchise.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

There’s More To Shea Whigham’s Briggs Than We Realized

Initially, Shea Whigham made his entrance in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” portraying Jasper Briggs, a member of the Community (a unified front of governmental intelligence agencies). There appears to be tension between him and Ethan, which can be attributed to the usual friction that arises among agents due to each other’s actions. However, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” unveils that his true identity is none other than Jim Phelps Jr.

In the initial Mission: Impossible film, Jon Voight portrayed Jim Phelps. Interestingly, this character switched sides, becoming the series’ first villain. Later on, it is uncovered that Whigham’s Briggs is none other than Phelps’ son, introducing a tense dynamic to an already strained relationship. This backstory helps explain his emotions and ties the franchise to a compelling character twist.

Kittridge Is Back (Again)

1996’s “Mission: Impossible” featured Kittridge in the role of IMF director, acting as a challenging superior to Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise. He reappeared in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” now as the head of the CIA, harboring suspicion towards Ethan and his unorthodox methods. Continuing his antagonistic role, Kittridge remains influential, with Grace choosing to work under him, and Ethan employing her as a means of surveillance.

In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, it is Kittridge who reappears, this time intent on thwarting Ethan. Whether driven by resentment or a desire for recognition, his actions complicate their mission significantly. At critical moments, he disrupts the flow, sparking the climax of the film, but ultimately, he ends up embarrassed while Ethan and his team manage to save the day once more.

William Donloe Plays A Key Role In The Plan

One of the skillfully crafted twists in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is the significant appearance of William Donloe. Rolf Saxon reprises his role, which he originated in the 1996 version, where he was the mastermind behind the CIA’s “black box,” from which Ethan retrieved the NOC list. In this latest installment, we learn about the consequences of that heist for Donloe, who was sent to a secluded polar sonar station as a form of punishment for what was perceived as his mistake.

In spite of appearing disastrous at first, this situation led him to discover his wife and genuine happiness, making it a fortunate turn of events for him in the end. Additionally, Donloe provides Benji with coordinates to aid Ethan in finding a submarine, allowing Grace and Donloe’s wife to embark on a dog sled journey to rescue him from icy waters. Moreover, during the climax of the movie, Donloe and his spouse lend their assistance, disarming a bomb while others are dealing with the antagonists, Gabriel and The Entity.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

The Rabbit’s Foot Drives The Plot Of Mission: Impossible III

In “Mission: Impossible III,” one of the franchise’s most intimate narratives unfolds as Ethan prepares for marriage and considers leaving his spy career behind. However, this newfound happiness is swiftly disrupted when his wife is abducted by Owen Davian, portrayed chillingingly by Philip Seymour Hoffman in a standout villain performance. Davian demands the Rabbit’s Foot from Ethan, threatening to harm his wife if it isn’t delivered.

The central element propelling the movie’s narrative is the enigmatic Rabbit’s Foot, causing Ethan and his comrades to go to great extremes in their attempt to acquire the elusive MacGuffin. Surprisingly, this object turns out to be insignificant in the grand scheme of things. When Davian meets his match, the Rabbit’s Foot is secreted away at the IMF, leaving them free to do as they wish with it. However, up until now, the real secrets hidden within the Rabbit’s Foot have been kept from the viewers, shrouding it in mystery.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Finally Reveals The Truth Of The Rabbit’s Foot

In the movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” Ethan Hunt and his crew face off against a formidable artificial intelligence named The Entity, which made its initial appearance in “Dead Reckoning Part One.” Previously, Gabriel was the human adversary manipulated by this AI, but it has since proven to be one of the series’ most menacing antagonists. The Entity has pushed the world dangerously close to a global nuclear missile crisis that could lead to a catastrophic event, and Ethan finds himself directly involved in the chain of events leading up to this potential disaster.

In “The Final Reckoning,” we learn that the Rabbit’s Foot from Mission: Impossible III concealed the blueprint for an AI named The Entity. At first, it seemed like just a prop or red herring (MacGuffin), but now, this seemingly insignificant plot device has grown into a potential catastrophe that could threaten the world.

The Implications Of Ethan’s Actions Throughout The Series Are Monumental

In Mission: Impossible III, Ethan’s compassionate actions towards his team and wife seemed admirable, but ultimately led to his partial villainy. His actions indirectly contributed to the creation of The Entity, a malevolent force that has put the world in peril. As the world’s nuclear powers struggle to maintain control over their weapons, the followers of The Entity grow in number, and Ethan cannot escape the blame for this dire situation portrayed in The Final Reckoning.

In the thrilling tale of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” I find myself reflecting on Ethan’s past exploits, particularly the Rabbit’s Foot heist. If that heist hadn’t unfolded as it did, perhaps the AI wouldn’t have gained control. Yet, despite Ethan’s consistently selfless actions and dedication to the greater good throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise, the climactic chapter of this series catches him off guard with consequences he never anticipated. This unexpected turn makes the final mission all the more poignant as we bid farewell to this action-packed saga.

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2025-05-24 02:33