Pop Culture Happy Hour: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning And What's Making Us Happy
Released on May 23, 2025

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Overview

In this episode, hosts Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes dive deep into the latest installment of the iconic action franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Joined by special guests Waylon Wong and writer Chris Klimek, the discussion navigates the film's strengths and shortcomings, exploring its narrative, action sequences, and emotional depth.

Key Discussions

1. Plot and Characters

   • Aisha Harris opens the conversation by outlining the film's premise:
     “Ethan Hunt, the star agent of the Impossible Missions Force, is the only one who can save the world from being annihilated by the entity, an ominous AI program” (00:22). She highlights the inclusion of familiar characters like Luther (Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), and introduces new addition Grace (Hayley Atwell), emphasizing director Christopher McQuarrie's continued vision.

   • Waylon Wong praises the franchise's consistency in delivering memorable set pieces despite a cumbersome narrative:
     “This is my favorite action franchise... it has some, for me, pretty amazing memorable set piece, action sequences” (02:30). However, she suggests the film may serve as a valedictory installment, potentially dragging in the initial phases but rewarding patient viewers with spectacular action.

2. Narrative and Pacing

   • Chris Klimek expresses his mixed feelings about the narrative structure:
     “I felt like I was watching a rough cut of this movie, particularly in the first hour” (03:23). He criticizes the film's exposition-heavy first act, describing it as “baroque” and “confusing” (03:23), though he acknowledges improvement as the story progresses.

   • Linda Holmes takes a more critical stance on the story's execution:
     “This was the first one that tipped fully over into the story being such a snooze fest and also so portentous” (06:07). She laments the film's self-serious tone and lack of engaging content in the early parts, which diminishes her overall enjoyment despite enjoying specific performances from guest actors like Tramell Tillman and Nick Offerman.

3. Character Development and Emotional Depth

   • Waylon Wong points out the franchise’s struggle to maintain emotional connections due to frequent changes in Ethan Hunt’s team:
     “There's this kind of expendable quality to the team that I think has diminished the franchise's capacity to create an emotional connection” (10:17). She notes the difficulty in fostering a sense of family among team members when they are constantly swapped out.

   • Aisha Harris compares Tom Cruise's dedication to the franchise with Vin Diesel's commitment to Fast and Furious:
     “Are Vin Diesel and Tom Cruise really that different? I don't think so... They speak of their franchises as if they've been like, touched by another dimension” (09:00). However, she criticizes the film for attempting to emulate the emotional attachment of Fast and Furious, which she feels doesn't seamlessly translate to Mission: Impossible.

4. Action Sequences and Set Pieces

   • Linda Holmes enjoys the franchise’s signature action sequences:
     “I have always felt roughly this way about the stories in this franchise. But in the last one, my feeling was I can overlook all of that because of how fun the airport sequence was. The car chase was the train” (13:27). She appreciates the thrilling stunts that have long been the hallmark of the series.

   • Waylon Wong reminisces about memorable set pieces from previous films:
     “I'm thinking about the Kremlin heist in Ghost Protocol... they're just missing something fun” (15:08). She contrasts the fun, dynamic action of earlier installments with the current film’s more subdued approach.

5. Villain and Stakes

   • Linda Holmes critiques the portrayal of the AI antagonist:
     “A godlike AI is a bad villain because you can't really figure out how to get your arms around it... the AI is very ordinary” (06:07). She finds the AI's depiction unconvincing and lacking menace compared to more tangible villains.

   • Chris Klimek appreciates the original concept but laments its execution:
     “They introduce and then completely, like, bop, the execution... I actually wanted more doomsday cult” (12:38). He acknowledges the innovative idea of a manipulative AI but feels the film fails to fully explore this concept.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Klimek on the film's initial roughness:
  “I felt like I was watching a rough cut of this movie...the editing style of this film...is baroque” (03:23).

• Aisha Harris on the emotional disconnect:
  “Are Vin Diesel and Tom Cruise really that different?... They speak of their franchises as if they've been like, touched by another dimension” (09:00).

• Linda Holmes on the AI villain:
  “I felt uncomfortably at times like I was looking directly into Tom Cruise's brain because of how influential he is” (06:07).

What's Making Us Happy

After dissecting the latest Mission: Impossible film, the conversation seamlessly transitions to the beloved segment, "What's Making Us Happy," where each host shares personal picks that bring joy to their lives.

1. Waylon Wong: "Every Little Step" (2008 Documentary)

   • Description: A behind-the-scenes look at the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line, showcasing the intense audition process and interspersed with original recordings by Michael Bennett, the choreographer and director.

   • Why It's Loved: “It's a really intimate look at what it's like to just be in the room... available on YouTube with ads” (20:13).

   • Notable Quote: “It's very suspenseful and exciting seeing who's gonna get cast” (21:20).

2. Chris Klimek: "Adventures in the Screen Trade" by William Goldman

   • Description: Klimek revisits this seminal book, reflecting on its insights into the film industry and Goldman's critique of the evolving movie business.

   • Why It's Loved: “What resonates with me now in a way that I didn't quite get the first time” (21:29).

   • Notable Quote: “1982 was a great movie year. And William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade is a great book.” (22:45).

3. Linda Holmes: "Final Destination: Bloodlines" and Related Content

   • Description: Once a skeptic of the horror genre, Holmes has grown to appreciate the Final Destination franchise, particularly its creative death sequences.

   • Why It's Loved: “He goes through and he explains, here's why we did it this way... takes such delight in how silly and gross and like splattery they are” (22:59).

   • Notable Quote: “Every Final Destination death explained by the producer... takes delight in how silly and gross and like splattery they are” (22:59).

4. Aisha Harris: "Reliving Single" Podcast

   • Description: A podcast hosted by Kim Coles and Erica Alexander, stars of the 90s sitcom Living Single, where they rewatch episodes and discuss the intricacies of working in TV during that era.

   • Why It's Loved: “Their chemistry is real... They explain callbacks... They talk about what an A or B plot in a TV show is” (24:28).

   • Notable Quote: “It's just a couple of actors who have paid their dues. They clearly love what they do” (24:29).

Additional Highlights

• Upcoming Features:

  • Aisha previews an upcoming power ranking of Pixar films celebrating the 30th anniversary of Toy Story, inviting listeners to participate in the poll (20:04).

• Host Interactions:

  • The hosts display a mix of agreement and friendly debate, particularly regarding their differing opinions on the Mission: Impossible film, enhancing the episode's engaging dynamic.

Conclusion

The episode offers a balanced critique of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, highlighting both its exhilarating action sequences and its narrative shortcomings. The "What's Making Us Happy" segment provides a heartfelt glimpse into the hosts' personal interests, enriching the overall listening experience. Whether you're a fan of the Mission: Impossible franchise or seeking new content to brighten your week, this episode delivers insightful commentary and engaging recommendations.

Listen to the full episode here.
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