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Mission: Impossible 2

Rating

Director

John Woo

Screenplay

Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, Robert Towne

Length

2h 03m

Starring

Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Radé Sherbedgia, William Mapother, Dominic Purcell, Matthew Wilkinson, Nicholas Bell

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Review

Every summer, a plethora of meaningless action films flood the cineplexes hoping to make millions of dollars from a clichéd premise and talentless performances. “Mission: Impossible 2” is the exception that every filmgoer wants.

Tom Cruise is back as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the second film based on the television series. This time he’s fighting to stop a money-hungry villain from finding and releasing a deadly strain of influenza.

In order to achieve this task, he must form a team of three individuals. One, a veteran from the first film, is Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), a computer expert. The second is ace helicopter pilot Billy Baird (John Polson). The final is a professional thief whose ex-boyfriend is the money-hungry villain, Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). “Beloved’s” Thandie Newton plays Nyah Hall, an expert thief, who must weed her way back into Ambrose’s life.

From the death-defying literal cliff-hanging opening sequence to the final battle sequence, John Woo’s talent for action filmmaking is unquestionable. “Mission: Impossible 2” is overflowing with rich imagery, beautiful pageantry and plenty of punches and explosions to delight the average moviegoer.

Woo loves slow motion action scenes and this film has more than its fair share. Eventually, the slow motion camera becomes tired and pointless. Had it not been overused from beginning to end, “MI2” would be a far superior film.

The performances are nothing to be laughed at, aside from the painfully thin characterizations among the secondary characters: Luther, Billy and Sean’s co-conspirator Hugh (Richard Roxburgh), the main cast is quite adept at bringing depth to otherwise two-dimensional characters. Newton is probably the weakest; her best work comes in the first half of the film where her poise is only skin-deep and her emotional core is set to explode.

Cruise is much better as the latest franchised action star Hunt. By no means is he perfect, but his vulnerability and confidence are just two minute aspects of his well-rounded character. However, the best surprise is “Ever After” alumnus Scott. His austere treachery and unmistakable sexuality act as terrific counterpoint to Cruise’s Hunt.

Similar in so many ways to Hunt, Ambrose is easily one of the best villains to visit cineplexes in this past decade. His greatness is in no small part thanks to Scott’s undeniable talent. Scott will finally be offered more roles, but hopefully he will not be typecast as either Prince Charming or the villain-du-jour.

Most action films refuse to use imagery, feeling that the public wouldn’t understand its message, however Woo is not your typical action direction. During one, slow motion, explosion sequence, Cruise walks past a door as a dove flutters into the foreground. Without knowing the director’s personal bent on the symbol, we must go with the tried-and-true use of peace. The use of Hunt and the dove together specifies that Hunt is the harbinger of peace for the villains.

Whatever the meaning, “Mission: Impossible 2” is the best action film in two years since “The Mask of Zorro.” Easily the best in the series thus far, “MI2” should appeal to a very broad demographic. Some will go for Cruise, others will want to see the explosions and fight sequences and others may be looking to recapture the nostalgia of the television series. Either which way, they won’t be disappointed with this film.

Awards Prospects

Not your typical Oscar film, except in the tech areas. The music is wonderful, but will probably be overlooked. Expect nominations for Sound and Sound Effects with potential nods for Makeup and Visual Effects.

Review Written

June 3, 2000