Which Cinema Format Should You Choose For ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’?

Death-defying car crashes, abseiling off mountains, and hanging upside-down off planes. And let’s not forget running—lots of running. These are just some of the things that fans will likely be doing in their eagerness to see Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in the cinema as soon as possible.

The movie is, of course, the latest, and possibly last, film in Tom Cruise’s “Mission” franchise. It's hard to believe that in the very first film in the franchise, way back in 1996, the director Brian De Palma realized that using a stunt double for a potentially dangerous scene involving an exploding fish tank would make the scene look unconvincing. Allegedly, he had to cajole a nervous Cruise into doing it himself. However, according to De Palma, it was this scene where Cruise’s obsession with doing his own stunts began. And hats off to him, the older he gets, the more insane they have become.

It's not hard to see, therefore, that this is a movie worth leaving the house to see, which leads to the question: which format should you choose?

IMAX: The big one

The short answer is IMAX. “The most extreme practical action, ever filmed, and there is no bigger format than IMAX,” says the director, Ralph McQuarrie, in the IMAX promo video, and I’m not going to argue.

The Final Reckoning was captured on a mix of Arri Alexa Mini LF, Sony CineAlta Venice, and Sony CineAlta Venice Rialto cameras, all of which are IMAX certified. While most of the film is presented in 2.39:1 scope, some 40 minutes of the action will expand to 1.90:1, the aspect ratio of all IMAX Digital theaters. While there are no 1.43:1 aspect ratio sequences, the size and scale of IMAX still make it the default choice for this film.

As ever, there are caveats. Many IMAX screens use older Xenon lamp-based projection and have ‘just’ 6-channel audio, but IMAX Laser will offer a brighter, more intense image and, usually, are paired with newer 12-channel sound systems, which are even more immersive. However, even in a standard IMAX, this is a movie where it won’t hurt to see it on the biggest screen possible.

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Dolby Cinema: The Colorful One

When I say it won’t hurt, your backside might disagree, as with a running time of 2 hours and 49 mins, an uncomfortable seat or a lack of legroom might make you regret your choice. That alone gives Dolby Cinema a big boost up the rankings, as what you lose in expanded image, you’ll gain in creature comforts. That’s because Dolby Cinema screens will always have first-rate seats, which can’t always be said of an IMAX screen.

You’ll also be guaranteed a superb audiovisual experience, as with no HDR by Barco grade available, Dolby will be the format that offers the best possible visuals for this movie, as, along with 4K resolution, you’ll get Dolby’s extended dynamic range. This offers deep blacks and bright highlights, as well as great contrast and intense colors. Dolby Atmos is also arguably the benchmark for immersive audio, with precise sound sonic positioning of objects in the mix, and powerful bass.

PLF: The Expanded One

If there isn’t an IMAX or Dolby Cinema near you, then look for a generic premium large-format (PLF) screen. These will go under different brand names on every cinema chain, so in the USA, look for Prime at AMC, Regal RPX, Cineplex UltraAVX and Cinemark XD. In the UK, you’ll be looking for Cineworld Superscreen, Odeon iSense, or OmniplexMAXX.

These PLFs offer a combination of a floor-to-ceiling large screen, with standard 4K laser projection, and Dolby Atmos audio. The seating should also be more comfortable than a standard auditorium. It’s a format I like, especially as in the UK there are so few Dolby screens.

4DX: The Moving One

Another great option is 4DX. This is a format where the seats move in sync with the action on screen – so for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, expect a lot of that! You’ll also literally feel the impact of every thumb and crash, with air, lights and water all added to the mix.

Admittedly, the picture and sound quality won’t match that of IMAX, but it will be fine and what you lose out in that area, you’ll gain in physical immersion. You won’t want to see everything this way, but with the right movie, 4DX is hilarious fun. If you’re considering a second viewing, it might be the ideal format to get a different experience.

ScreenX: The Wide One

In contrast with IMAX, where the expanded aspect ratio is added to the top and bottom of the image, in ScreenX, extra footage is shown on screens that run down the sides of the movie theater. However, while the director and cinematographer will have put a lot of thought into the IMAX expanded sections, the ScreenX footage is just peripheral vision, and, in my experience, adds less to the experience. For driving movies, ScreenX has a built-in advantage (yes, I’m thinking of Brad Pitt’s upcoming F1), but I’d try others before this. The same goes for the ICE format, which offers reflective panels down the side.

Whereas in 2023, the previous instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning, had to take third place behind Oppenheimer and Barbie, in the hunt (pun intended) for IMAX slots, this time, Mr. Cruise has done everything possible to ensure that The Final Reckoning will be top dog. And judging by early reviews, it should have great word of mouth to rely on, as well as standing on top of cinema-like stunts. With vertigo-inducing scenes and adrenaline-charged practical stunts, whichever big screen format you choose, with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise looks to have done enough to ensure that Nathan Hunt leaves us in style.