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Mission Impossible 2 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by John Woo
PG-13, 127 min. (intense sequences of violence, sensuality) |
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Starring: Tom Cruise, Thandie Newton, Dougray Scott, Ving Rhames, William R. Mapother, Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, John Polson, Rade Serbedzija
Producers: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Terence Chang, Paul Hitchcock
Screenplay: Robert Towne, Brannon Braga, Ronald Moore
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Released: 5/24/00 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
A sequel to Mission Impossible was inevitable after its success at the box office in 1996, but coming up with a more intriguing
and exciting plot was a difficult task. And while the former film was a disappointment, Mission Impossible 2 is a pleasant
surprise; it's fast-paced with end-to-end action, and most importantly, it's an entertaining film. Tom Cruise seemed a bit
constrained and even uncomfortable in the first film, but is relaxed and Bond-esque in this one. The success of this film
will surely inspire more sequels, probably a franchise of them - and that may not be such a bad thing after the quality of this film.
Action, action, and more action - that's basically the plot we're presented with. But, unlike many other films in the genre, this
movie uses its action to tell an interesting story. Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, this time called to the rescue after
a deadly virus is supposedly on the loose. One of his former colleagues, secret agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), has
betrayed the agency to make a bundle of money off the stolen virus. Swanbeck (Anthony Hopkins) sends Hunt in to return
the virus to its proper place by any means necessary, which includes sending a beautiful young theif, Nyah (Thandie Newton),
undercover to her ex-boyfriend Ambrose to obtain the whereabouts of the virus. Hunt also enlists the help of an old friend,
Luther (Ving Rhames), and a newcomer, Billy (John Polson), to break into a heavily-secured bio-tech building.
Director John Woo employs just about every possible action-scene imaginable, and it pays off in a big way. From hanging (literally) from a ledge in the
Grand Canyon, to jumping off buildings, to motorcycle stunts, to old-fashioned fist fights, this film has it all. The important
thing is that it doesn't become tiresome - we are actually pleased to see each successive action-scene one-up the previous
one. In fact, with as much adrenaline as this film has, it will be difficult to top it in future sequels.
Pierce Brosnan (the current James Bond) may have some stiff competition now from Tom Cruise, who exhibits every bit
as much "coolness" as Bond does. The only thing missing is the suit and tie, and a martini shaken, not stirred. Thandie
Newton also gives a nice turn as Nyah - with her stunning beauty and convincing performance, I think you will see her
in other films in the near future. Anthony Hopkins gives only a small cameo-like appearance, but it is always fun to see
him on-screen.
For a summer film, Mission Impossible 2 delivers the goods. It's not a stretch to say that this film probably saved
the franchise from extinction, much like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn accomplished for the Star Trek franchise.
And with a director like John Woo at the helm, the possibilities are endless - although he'll be challenged to surpass this
film. Hopefully he'll return for the next film, because without him, I'm not sure it could measure up to this one. This movie
is pure entertainment, and that's why we go to the movies in the first place.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
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| Masterpiece - Classic; Movie perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See; One of the year's best films |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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