By any reasonable measure Mission: Impossible II is a successful action-adventure film.
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:136
Fresh:77
Rotten:59
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: Your cranium may crave more substance, but your eyes will feast on the amazing action sequences.
Runtime: 2 hrs 24 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: John Woo raises the action bar in this violent, romantic sequel to Brian De Palma's 1996 original. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, this time battling wits with rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose... John Woo raises the action bar in this violent, romantic sequel to Brian De Palma's 1996 original. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, this time battling wits with rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). Hunt is ordered to recruit Ambrose's former lover, Nyah Hall (Thandie Newton), to infiltrate his hideout. But Hunt never expected to fall for the lovely young thief he must use for bait. The romantic triangle that ensues gives the film a unique emotional balance that is unusual (and most welcome) for an action picture. Ambrose is after the killer Chimera virus and its antidote, Bellerophon; in the old days Ambrose would have been after world domination, but in this new world order of day trading and Internet stocks, all he wants is to corner the market and make a fortune. Woo outdoes even himself with a flurry of martial-arts fights, fiery shootouts, thrilling mountain climbing, and blazing motorcycle chases that lead from the beautiful peaks of Utah through the busy streets of Sydney. All of this is set to a booming hard-rock soundtrack that battles with the explosions and blasting guns for ear space. And he doesn't fail to include his trademark birds fluttering like peaceful interludes in the most threatening of moments. [More]
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Anthony Hopkins, Brendan Gleeson, William R. Mapother, John Polson, Rade Serbedzija, Richard Roxburgh
Director: John Woo
Director: John Woo
Screenwriter: Robert Towne
Story: Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga
Producer: Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner
Composer: Hans Zimmer, BT
Reviews for Mission: Impossible II
Mission Impossible 2 offers a bit of escapism and a hefty shot of cinematic adrenalin.
Woo's hysterically hyper visuals and boytoy gimmickry can't camouflage the emptiness of the enterprise.
The film continually halts the action to repeat the plot to us, sometimes word for word.
Forget 1996's often-confusing series kickoff. Even without the lit match and fuse, this sequel is a distinct improvement.
For all my profound reservations about the whole project, I wound up liking it more, or, at least disliking it less, than I had anticipated. Thandie Newton is the biggest reason.
While there isn't anything in M:I-2 as memorable as the first film's scene with Cruise dangling over a computer terminal, it's a more visceral experience overall.
An extremely entertaining vehicle, a testosterone-filled escape. It's a slam-bang way to begin the summer.
Action fans will get a kick out of it. Mark this one as strictly for the testosterone set.
M:I2 is mighty sexy, especially in the first hour, when even the cars appear to be making love.
Dazzling spectacle in high-tech and hand-to-hand combat, compelling romance between gorgeous leads, and well-crafted story make MI2 a highly satisfying action film.
Best of all about Mission: Impossible 2 is that its story is actually easy to follow, and therefore what happens means more to the viewer.
Mission: Impossible 2 lacks emotional punch and the center section sorely tried my patience, but the film remains a hell of a ride.
They blow up things real good and Cruise can cruise into my garage any old day!
As popcorn thrillers go, Mission: Impossible 2 has set the bar high for the summer blockbusters.
Latest News for Mission: Impossible II
May 06, 2008:
Redstone Says Fourth Mission Not Impossible for Cruise ![]()
Sumner Redstone, responding to recent rumors of a fourth Mission: Impossible movie, has told reporters that he "will not object" if Paramount chief Brad Grey decides to cast Tom... More...
June 08, 2007:
"I Am Legend" Trailer ... and "I, Robot 2"?
Two stories in one, both of which deal with science fiction and Will Smith. More...
November 02, 2006:
Tom Cruise Handed Reins to Reborn United Artists
After a very public break-up with Paramount back in August, Tom Cruise and producing partner Paula Wagner have rebounded, set to run the venerated movie studio founded by... More...
September 19, 2006:
Brad Pitt as Ethan Hunt?
Well, we all know that Paramount's not really interested in the Tom Cruise business anymore, but JoBlo's sharing a piece of gossip from across the pond that might not be true --... More...
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