Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the eighth installment in the nearly 30-year franchise starring Tom Cruise and once again directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

This film picks up after the events of 2023’s Dead Reckoning and serves as a direct sequel. It follows the IMF team, led by Ethan Hunt, as they continue their mission to stop the rogue AI system known as the Entity. Now more powerful than ever, the Entity can control the world’s digital systems, disable defense networks, collapse economies, and undermine entire governments. The IMF must race against the clock to deactivate it before a global war ensues.

Final Reckoning is an excellent film that delivers all the thrills viewers have come to expect from the Mission: Impossiblefranchise. The sheer scope and scale of this globe-trotting chapter are massive, with top-tier production values throughout. While it doesn’t feature quite as much action as some previous entries, it is no less entertaining. This time around, the film leans more into its political thriller and espionage roots, driven largely by dialogue and timely themes surrounding artificial intelligence. The clever screenplay, penned by McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, explores tension, paranoia, and our collective anxieties about technology.

One of my favorite aspects of the film is how it pays homage to the entire franchise through flashbacks, returning characters, and clever plot tie-ins. If you haven’t seen all six of the earlier films, this one does a decent job of catching you up. Still, you must watch Dead Reckoning to fully grasp the central plot here. Among all the entries, this may be the most emotional—featuring rich character arcs and heartfelt chemistry among the team. Despite the larger-than-life action, the story never loses its emotional core.

McQuarrie once again delivers a masterclass in direction, balancing the film’s intricate plot with stunning locales, breathtaking action, and genuine emotional weight. As with his previous films—Rogue Nation, Fallout, and Dead Reckoning—he draws standout performances from his cast in every type of scene. His visual storytelling shines through elegant camera work, seamless transitions, and smooth editing. The cinematography by Fraser Taggart is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing both the tension and the spectacle.

As for the action, while the sequences are more spaced out, they’re no less effective. Expect close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, high-stakes escapes, gunfights, and chase scenes. But the real standouts are two massive set pieces—one involving a submarine, the other a pair of biplanes. The horror, claustrophobia, tension, and sheer adrenaline packed into these sequences are amplified by the film’s stellar sound design, score, and visual effects. The scale and danger feel incredibly real, a testament to the craftsmanship and safety that must’ve gone into them. These are sequences that demandto be seen on the biggest screen possible.

The film features a stellar ensemble cast, blending familiar faces and newer additions. Standouts include Ving Rhames as Luther, Simon Pegg as Benji, Angela Bassett as President Sloan, Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge, Hayley Atwell as Grace, Pom Klementieff as Paris, Tramell Tillman as Captain Bledsoe, and Esai Morales as Gabriel. Everyone brings something unique to the table, whether in dramatic moments, action sequences, or scenes of levity. Still, when it comes to pure charm, emotional intensity, and action hero grit, the standout is—no surprise—Tom Cruise.

After nearly three decades of playing Ethan Hunt, Cruise’s commitment to Mission: Impossible speaks for itself. His full-throttle performance combines physical intensity, nuanced acting, and fearless stunt work. At almost 63 years old, he’s still performing demanding stunts with discipline and precision. His dedication to making audiences feel like what we’re watching is real is something rare in Hollywood today. Cruise truly is the last of a dying breed—and he shows no signs of slowing down.

If I had one critique, it’s that the film leans too heavily on exposition at times. While necessary for viewers who haven’t seen all the previous films, it occasionally bogs down the pacing. The three-hour runtime, while not a dealbreaker, could have been tightened to make the story feel more efficient.

Still, Final Reckoning proudly upholds the legacy of the Mission: Impossible franchise and delivers adrenaline-charged thrills from start to finish. From direction and cinematography to acting, technical execution, score, and spectacle—this is easily one of my favorite films of 2025. Whether or not it’s the last entry, the series, if it ends here, concludes on an incredible high note.

I’ve loved every film in this franchise since Brian De Palma’s original in 1996. Sure, some are better than others, and fans will always debate their rankings—but one thing has always been true: Tom Cruise has never short-changed fans. If this is his final mission, he stuck the landing in legendary fashion.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters everywhere on May 23 and comes highly recommended. Enjoy!

4.5 out of 5.

It does not help that rappers often shine that bright light on themselves. Glistening jewels, big guns and money stacks may not be an indication of wrong-doing, but it certainly can get the Laws sniffing around. In the past, we knew that the “Hip-Hop Police” had rappers and their crews on file so why would these times be any different. The major changes include technological advances like social media, which the Feds can easily obtain intelligence on everything from beefs to perceived spending habits.

AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, Amir “Loon” Muhadith, a rapper under Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, Phillip C. Hamilton, Esq., a managing partner at Hamilton Clarke law firm and veteran journalist Lisa Evers converse over the top of Hip-Hop and The Feds.

For more, head over to LisaEvers.com.

After 4 years of being in the music industry, Anjali World has officially released her debut Album entitled, “Wolf Queen”, produced entirely by musical genius and Bay Area native Super Dave.

In celebration of her debut project, Anjali held an exclusive album release party at Nick Cannon’s Incredible Mansion in Encino, CA. Lamar Odom, Casey Veggies, Actor Joshua Triplet, DJ Carisma, and Kalin White among others were in attendance.

Listen to Anjali’s album on Spotify, Soundcloud or download on Itunes and check out her most recent video with Casey Veggies.

Photos:

Hazel-E, Chanel West Coast, Alexis Skyy, and more were spotted living it up at the newest exotic nightclub in Hollywood, “Diamond District”. It’s located in the heart of Hollywood, and last night the premium nightlife destination was filled with lights, cameras, and action! Fashion Guru EJ King, Actress/Model Tori Brixx, and Althea Heart were also in the building.

Diamond District has a full Caribbean infused kitchen provided by Taste of The Caribbean LA, and the party hours well exceeds 2:00 AM each and every Monday.

Photos:

AllHipHop.com: For decades you have been known for your ability to be uniquely funny and a veritable master of Ad Lib. “Fist Fight” director Richie Keen said that he was mad at himself for calling cut too soon after your first take in “Fist Fight.” He says that he never made the mistake again for the remainder of your scenes. Do you remember what that fateful Ad Lib was that he so regretted missing that first day?

Tracy Morgan: No I don’t remember. That was a long time ago. But that’s the way that I’ve always been, you know as far as improv, visual and observational stuff. It just comes to me. It’s my comedic instincts.

AllHipHop.com: Your accident involved neurological damage due to the head trauma suffered. Has that damage and/or your recovery from it significantly affected or changed your process when it comes to your comedy and acting?

Tracy Morgan: No. I mean I continue with the same process. I just feel like maybe I am aware more. Maybe I am more observational. The things that I’m saying, I think that my timing is sharper now.

AllHipHop.com: Really? In what way? Can you elaborate?

Tracy Morgan: As far as my comedic timing?

AllHipHop.com: Yes.

Tracy Morgan: You’ve seen that today.

AllHipHop.com: Yes, but you noticing it as a comedian might be considerably different from what I or someone else might notice as someone who simply enjoys comedy. Also, you would be the best observer as the person who has actually gone through that change.

Tracy Morgan: I mean, that’s a personal thing. I couldn’t even explain it to you because it’s such a gift that I can’t explain it to you. I can only tell as far as a stand up comedian, a comedian’s point of view, I think my timing is sharper. Maybe because of the therapy and the cognitive (therapy) it made me sharper.

AllHipHop.com: What sort of cognitive therapy did you require? Are you still doing it?

Tracy Morgan: A year. I did a year of cognitive therapy. I still do physical therapy but as far as – I still see my psychiatrist from time to time because when you take a bump in the head like that you never know. So I stay on top of it. I stay on top of all of those things.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve talked about how daunting your first scene was in “Fist Fight” seeing as it was the first acting scene you’d ever filmed since your accident. Was there anything that you did to try and prepare yourself for that first day?

Tracy Morgan: Well, I hadn’t been in front of a camera. I hadn’t been part of a cast. Actually that was my first time and Richard Keen allowed me to do that. So you never know until you’re in the mix. So I got in the mix. After a few takes I said, “OK,” and I came through and I relaxed. And it was like, OK, it’s still there.

AllHipHop.com: With the standup that you’ve already done – because you have performed standup since your accident prior to your involvement in “Fist Fight,” was that practice a viable form of preparation for you on this movie and beyond in film?

Tracy Morgan: Yeah, but it’s a different muscle. It’s a different muscle being stretched in doing stand up.

AllHipHop.com: Can you quantify that and explain?

Tracy Morgan: When I do stand up it’s just me. It’s just me. It’s my personal life, my story – it’s me. But when you are in a scene with someone it’s energy being passed back and forth. That’s what acting is. Acting is listening and energy.   So I was able to keep up with everybody and listen because it was such a serious accident.

AllHipHop.com: So you were worried that you wouldn’t be able to bounce off of other people?

Tracy Morgan: Yeah, but I said that when I first did Matt Lauer – those were one of my worries after the accident. I didn’t know how I was going to get back to funny because it was such a traumatic thing in my life. And it scared the shit out of me because I faced death. I look at my wife and my daughter I couldn’t imagine more without them. I couldn’t imagine them with me gone and what they were going to be doing. Once I got over that, months passed by and I got over that. I was able to focus on me because in life there are things that are much more important than show business when it’s life and death. So I had to pick up the pieces and that’s what my tour was about. It was called “Picking Up The Pieces.” And then I did a special that will be out May 16^th called “Staying Alive.” Because that was all the things that I was doing. Part of that therapy was “Fist Fight.”

AllHipHop.com: I’ve heard that you have a new project that you are planning to do with Jordan Peele.

Tracy Morgan: Yeah that’s going that’s coming along great. We probably going to shoot early May.

AllHipHop.com: Can you tell me anything about it?

Tracy Morgan: No – I don’t want to jinx it. I’d rather not. (“Fist Fight”) is in the can, so I don’t mind talking about it. I’ve always been like that. I’ve always been like that. I don’t like to talk about nothing that’s not there.

AllHipHop.com: How did you meet Peele?

Tracy Morgan: When I was home for a year and a half in my wheelchair, I would watch “Key & Peele” every day. And then one day after about six or seven months I told my agent I want to work with him. I want to be a part of that comedy. So then I came, I flew out here and I met him. We just started talking.

AllHipHop.com: How did that meeting go?

Tracy Morgan: It went great. Yeah it was funny. It was Jordan Peele and Tracy Morgan and we started talking. He told me I was an inspiration to him when he used to see me at the Uptown Comedy Club and all of that and we have the same sensibilities. So we gonna try to – no we WILL put out a project that’s gonna make your head turn.

AllHipHop.com: I can’t wait to see that. With “Fist Fight,” you were afraid at the start that you might not be able to keep up with bouncing off of the other actors. Is there a scene in “Fist Fight” that you can point to where the light bulb came on and you really felt like you were out of the woods and had hit your stride? Something akin to what you view as your best scene?

Tracy Morgan: No, I don’t feel that way. I just, I felt well… I felt good when I did the thing on the football field.

AllHipHop.com: Which bit on the football field? You had more than one.

Tracy Morgan: When they painted the penis around me and all those things and I started yelling at the students. That’s when I knew I was in character. That was Coach Crawford.

AllHipHop.com: So that would be your favorite scene in your view?

Tracy Morgan: I don’t have a favorite scene. I love the movie. I don’t have a favorite scene. The movie is my masterpiece. Me just getting off doesn’t make it a masterpiece. I mean, I was just funny in the scene. But when it’s a great movie, that’s a masterpiece.

AllHipHop.com: Why did you choose “Fist Fight” as your first movie back? What made it stand out for you?

Tracy Morgan: I didn’t choose it. It chose me. Would you give somebody a chance that just got hit by a Wallmart truck? So I was gracious that Richard Keen believed in me. He chose me. I was basically just come out of a coma. For somebody to say, “yo, I want you in my movie,” that don’t happen. So I’m gracious to Mr. Keen.

AllHipHop.com: So has that resulted in a special bond between yourself and Mr. Keen beyond the movie itself?

Tracy Morgan: Of course it is. He’s the first director to direct somebody out of a coma. He doesn’t realize that. He directed somebody that got hit by a Wallmart truck.

AllHipHop.com: Have you told him that – how important he is to you because of that fact?

Tracy Morgan: No.

AllHipHop.com: Will you tell him?

Tracy Morgan: No. He’ll read it. He has to understand that. He directed someone who was badly injured.

AllHipHop.com: Do you see yourself doing more serious stuff in the future as a result of new perspective that you’ve gained since your accident?

Tracy Morgan: I wouldn’t mind. I wouldn’t mind. That would be another muscle to stretch. When I look at Eddie Murphy in “Mr. Church,” of course. He’s one of my comedic heroes. But now we see Eddie in a different capacity. We see him show chops. Think of the tears.

AllHipHop.com: So what’s your ideal next project that you would like to do?

Tracy Morgan: I don’t know. I don’t want to call it. I might spoil it. God got a plan. I’m going to leave it like that. It’s in his hands.

AllHipHop.com: On the set of “Fist Fight” you made a point of having a lot of heart to heart conversations with the many young actors on the set. What was behind that for you?

Tracy Morgan: I try to be an inspiration to them. Like Martin Lawrence was to me when I was young in the game. Martin Lawrence was an inspiration to me – still is – and I just try to give it back to the youth because they are the next generation.

AllHipHop.com: Is that something that is different since your accident or just what you’ve always done?

Tracy Morgan: No that’s the way that I’ve always been. I was always the type of dude to coach little league. I love being involved. When I was young, I was a coach.

AllHipHop.com: You were a coach?

Tracy Morgan: When I was young I was coaching. Little kids wanted to play football, they got a football suit for Christmas, put a t-shirt over some shoulder pads. I wasn’t just playing. It was running around the field jogging them. I had them doing jumping jacks, coached. Now it’s just like love. You can’t do nothing with it but pass it on.

AllHipHop.com: Is there something specific that you would like to say to young comics out there starting in the game or young people period that might be going through something difficult?

Tracy Morgan: Keep on trucking. Whatever decision you make in your life from this point on, base it on your family. When you do that it’s always the right decision. What would my parents think of me if I did this? What would my brother or sister think of me if I did this? No thank you. Keep it moving.

AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about the current political climate?

Tracy Morgan: I don’t feel. I’m down with the King. I’m down with the King.

AllHipHop.com: I’m sorry – what do you mean by that?

Tracy Morgan: I’m down with the King, baby (indicates a necklace he is wearing with Jesus on it).

AllHipHop.com: I got you. Okay.

Tracy Morgan: No. I don’t believe. I know. The King. You can have your president, your congress and all that other crap. When your room is ready, your room is ready. I know. I faced death. I was in a coma for ten days on the other side. I love you-just because. And when you down with the King, that’s it. Politics to me is a pile of tricks.

AllHipHop.com: Is there anything that you remember from when you were on the other side?

Tracy Morgan: You don’t want to remember. I don’t remember getting hit. I don’t remember none of that.

AllHipHop.com: But you talk about how you have experienced death. So what was that experience?

Tracy Morgan: Yeah of course. You know, I was in a coma for ten days. You’re knocking on the door.

AllHipHop.com: What was going on then when you were knocking?

Tracy Morgan: I don’t know. That’s none of my business. It was swollen. I remember visions of being in and out of the coma. They had me highly sedated. Because my femur was in little pieces. I remember one time, I think I was in a coma, I don’t know, being at a party.

AllHipHop.com: A party?

Tracy Morgan: Richard Pryor was there and Jackie Gleason was there and Lucille Ball was there and my father was there. And then God came and said it’s time to go back. I looked at Richard and I was crying. He winked at me and said, “stay funny.”

AllHipHop.com: Wow.

Tracy Morgan: I’m down with The King. I remember one time my psychiatrist telling me the two biggest car crashes in the world ever was yours and Princess Diana’s.

“Fist Fight,” starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan and Jillian Bell opens in theatres nationwide on February 17, 2017.

(AllHipHop Features) The year 2016 will forever be infamous. There was widespread, blatant acts of injustice that harken back to a day many thought was dead. Black People quietly celebrated with pride the 50th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party. Tragically, Afeni Shakur, one of the well-known members of the party, died suddenly, causing mass sympathies.

Kathleen Cleaver has weathered many, many storms as a revolutionary and one-time communications secretary for the Black Panther Party. The first female decision-maker in the party, Cleaver was extremely courageous at a time when the Panthers were targeted by an illegal, clandestine governmental force called COINTELPRO (COunter INTELligence PROgram). The 71-year old continues to fight the powers through speaking engagements, scholastic efforts and building bridges with younger activists, among other endeavors. Chuck Creekmur briefly talked to Kathleen Cleaver at a New York-based dedication to Afreni Shakur earlier this year. Here is the conversation.

AllHipHop: Can you speak on Afeni Shakur, what she meant to the Panther Movement and your personal relationship to her?

Kathleen Cleaver: We were in the Panther Party at different times and different parts of the country. I was in the Panther Party in the beginning in California. And Afeni pointed out that they started a couple years later in New York. They kind of knew what to expect when the crash came. We didn’t. (Laughs)

My contact with Afeni was very limited when I was in the United States, because I left in ’69 to go to Algeria, where Eldridge was (Eldridge Cleaver was one of the leaders of the BPP). Panthers New York didn’t start until about that time. But we had close ties after the party was split. Algeria and New York were on the same side. And so, the connection between the New York Party and the Algeria section, put me and Afeni in contact. And then, years after the party, Afeni and I were getting together with a group of women – retreats for Panther women.

AllHipHop: What would you say her legacy is?

You can’t separate her legacy from the Panther Party, from the trial of the New York 21, from being woman leader, from being a very beautiful woman. She was extremely dark and challenged these notions about who could be a leader, who could be beautiful. Which she was both. And we knew that, but that wasn’t how society would have portrayed her. She was a path-breaker in that sense. She was a parent. She was a very intelligent and sensitive person who was also a revolutionary. She also had a lot of personal issues that she had to resolve.

And so, she had a lot on her plate. She had a brilliant mind. And she was an extraordinary person.

AllHipHop: You guys came from such a strong lineage of warrior women. How do you feel about the movement today, as it relates to today?

The era in which we were warrior women was an era of war. It was the era of Viet Nam. We were not in a position to advocate for peace, because we were under attack. It was no dispute that we were under attack and the United States was in a very, very vicious war in Viet Nam. That is no longer the case. And so the movements here may take positions and have policies that we would not have used because our time, they wouldn’t have helped us.

AllHipHop: I want to say I thank you for all that you’ve done for Black people and I salute you.

Thank you.

Very few know the idea as well as Sway Calloway, one of the most respected Hip-Hop heads in the game. The executive/host/reporter has leaped into a very special Hip-Hop competition called “One Shot,” where some of the competition is fresh and others are not-so-fresh. The topic has been a firebrand among Hip-Hop aficionados of all ages and underscored by friction between OG’s like Pete Rock and Young Dolph.

Sway says this is not all that unique.

“In the 90’s there were as many wack rappers as there are in the new millennium,” Sway told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “Its always been that. Not everybody was dope in the Golden Era…who we fooling?”

Sway has joined forces with recording executive Mike Smith, Kxng Crooked, and King Tech to create the Hip-Hop competition of Hip-Hop competitions – “One Stop.” The weekly show goes to some of Hip-Hop’s biggest hubs like New York,Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Plus, celebrity judges include DJ Khaled, RZA, T.I. and others.

Sway says Hip-Hop’s many moving parts presents a bit of a dilemma for “One Shot,” as some of the performers are lyrical, personable and infectious.

“Even going into it, we have to remind ourselves…I don’t think its a problem for King Tech,because King Tech has always listened to music with an unbiased ear. He does have his favorite style of rapper, but…it doesn’t prevent him from recognizing the guy that may not be as lyrical. He can see the star power in that person. I have to deal with that on “Sway In The Morning” and I have for five years. I had to adjust. You have to sustain in these times and ages without losing yourself.”

Sway compared an artist like MC Hammer, who sold well over 10 million albums, with a revered lyricist like Kool G Rap. Although both are talented, there are times when lesser lyrical rappers have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them megastars.

“You have to be able to recognized that magic, unbiased magic,” he said.

That magic will lead to a record deal and $100,000 of cold cash.

One Shot airs on BET at 10pm on Tuesday nights.

Check out the full interview below.

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