https://x.com/TomCruise/status/1925314941810336063
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for one final mission in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” At 62, he’s still doing his own stunts. But just how far can the human body be pushed and trained to achieve the seemingly impossible? In “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,” Cruise held his breath underwater for over six minutes.
The average person can hold their breath for about 30 to 90 seconds without training. However, with practice, the body can adapt significantly. The human diving reflex allows temporary adaptation to immersion by lowering heart rate and metabolic demand.
https://x.com/BristolUni/status/1925130121721037116
This preserves function in vital organs like the brain and heart.
https://x.com/PaulTassi/status/1925202698015567933
Freedivers must also swim and resist water pressure on their lungs while fighting the urge to inhale due to rising CO₂ levels. Through training, individuals can retain more air in their lungs and increase oxygen storage capacity in the bloodstream.
This leads to longer breath-holds. Cruise’s achievement is exceptional. Mission Impossible films often feature Ethan Hunt scaling sheer surfaces with the agility of a mountain goat.
https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1925217900614353213
Tom’s final impossible mission
While Cruise uses safety wires, the climbing itself is real. A memorable moment is the scene in the original “Mission: Impossible” where Hunt suspends himself inches from the floor to avoid setting off alarms.
Performing these stunts demands an exceptionally strong back and core. Muscles such as the latissimus dorsi (“lats”) are essential. Climbers need these muscles for chin-ups and pull-ups.
An array of muscles enabling a strong grip, reach, push-offs, and maintaining tension are also required. Hunt has often narrowly escaped explosions, from a helicopter in the Channel Tunnel to a detonating fish tank in Prague. In “Mission: Impossible 3,” an exploding helicopter on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge resulted in two cracked ribs for Cruise.
Pyrotechnics were used for the explosion, but wires propelled Cruise sideways. Fractured ribs are described as one of the most painful injuries, exacerbating pain with every cough, sneeze, or breath. Yet, Cruise’s resilience and dedication to his craft shine through as he continues to ensure the audience experiences the authenticity of each perilous moment.
Cruise’s motivation reportedly lies in his desire for the audience to genuinely feel the intensity of these situations. His commitment to performing his stunts adds an unparalleled level of realism to the “Mission: Impossible” films, setting a high bar for action cinema.
