Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – 4K Review
Paramount Pictures | 2025
BBFC 12 | 2hrs 49 mins | Action | Thriller | Adventure
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1/1.90:1
Staring: Tom Cruise |Hayley Atwell | Ving Rhames | Simon Pegg | Henry Czerny | Angela Bassett
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K Dolby Vision video look like? Reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Also reference.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5
Audio: 5
Video – Native 4K Dolby Vision
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was captured in 35mm and digitally in various CODECs to include; ARRIRAW 4.5K, X-OCN LT/XT 8.6/6K and ZRAW 6K by cinematographer Fraser Taggart using
The entire post-production process, including visual effects, was done natively in UHD resolution to produce a 4K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. It was then graded
The image is excellent being very similar to the that of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, creating a solid reference Dolby Vision presentation. With the film shot in a high resolution format and visual effects executed natively in UHD, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a dazzling display of crisp, razor sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups all provide excellent detail and definition. Facial pores, beard stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are excellent, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Effects like bullet rounds, flying objects, debris, car engagements and of course the bi-plane sequence are well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Contrast balance is outstanding throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the various dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks seen in the undersea and submarine sequences. Individual clouds, sunlight, numerous light sources, metallic objects, gun-shots and explosions sparkle with a true-to-live realism. All creating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating an excellent depth of image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning launches itself into home theaters with a reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. This is a dynamic and explosive mix with plenty of atmospheric effects, very good channel separation and a solid bottom end. The rear channels being used extensively to convey the atmospheres of various rooms and outdoor environments, supporting directional and atmospheric cues alike.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with good sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide and surrounds are regularly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into both calm environments and every action-packed sonic spectacle alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, from bustling streets, underwater, various rooms, abandoned mines and passages, the open country environments, to helicopters and biplanes whirring around you. Not to mention the sinking submarine sequence with water pouring in from every hull crack. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you right “in the mix”.
Sub action is very good, having the serious low-end that this movie deserves. Low frequency effects are plentiful. They are extended and powerful adding weight to the gunshots, explosions, roaring engines and car crashes, impactful gunfire and hand wielded weapons. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen, like the sinking submarine with water pouring in from every crack in the hull or the wintry wasteland of Siberia with howling winds at every side and crunching snow underfoot. Dialogue was always crystal clear and well detailed with an outstanding mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the high action sequences became.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey offers an excellent supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear, and presented with good bass. It hits a very good balance between the dialogue and effects with a light spill into the surrounds and an excellent integration within the soundstage.
An excellent reference audio track that compliments the reference video in every way.
Story Overview
After escaping a devastating train crash, and with the world’s governments and Gabriel (Esai Morales), a mysterious ghost from Ethan’s past, on his trail, Ethan (Tom Cruise) discovers the terrifying AI known as The Entity is held aboard a sunken old Russian submarine. The Entity has now infiltrated most of the worldwide intelligence networks, so, joined by new allies and the means to shut the Entity down, Ethan Hunt and his IMF team race against time to prevent a global disaster.
My 2 cents
An entertaining follow-up to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One even if it was a little “bloated” and drawn out! The movie was again full of action and at times I again got so wrapped up with the movie, my interest in the image properties wandered a little. So for all you die-hard Mission Impossible fans this is an entertaining movie with all its impossible stunts and action sequences. With a reference image and sound, a bloated storyline, fair acting, unlikely stunts and CGI, it’s a lengthy worthwhile watch.
If you’re a fan of 4K eye and ear candy, this title delivers.
