Mission: Impossible 2: Review By Bawnian©-Dexeus

Mission: Impossible II is a 2000 action film.

Directed by: John Woo.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, and Brendan Gleeson.

Ethan Hunt returns under IMF branch for his mission, should he choose to accept it, to seek and terminate the Chimera virus.

For a John Woo film, a good subtitle for this movie would be Hunt vs. Chimera. As a sequel from De Palma's M:I, M:I:II enters a whole new level of action. The director is well known for his superb choreographed action sequences, and this sequel is living proof of it, however impossible most of the fights were.

The first film did not waste time in following a narrative with a battle sequence in ever cut section, followed by intense thrills, but this sequel approaches the mission building up the characters and the assignment before entering explosions and butt kicking. We follow for the second time Ethan Hunt (Cruise) whose first assignment is to recruit a female agent named Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Newton) in order to activate the actual mission that threatens national security and biological warfare. A Russian scientist creates a virus called the Chimera where the cure lies in a pharmaceutical company for the sole purpose of making a major profit on the world's life.

A formidable opponent who is practically Ethan Hunt's darker half, Sean Ambrose (Dougray), as he plays Hunt move for move, anticipating all his maneuvers before he even thinks of them. He is a villain that prides him self in perfection, without missing a single beat through details of any kind. Any spy who attempts to cross him would not be able to rely on their alias. Like I said, formidable, and with a hunger for money.

Once the first explosion took place for the extraction of both the virus and the antidote, the stunts were given birth. I know Tom likes to do his own stunts, but even he is limited to authentic back flips, even when running. But, thanks to Woo's masterful executions, you can hardly tell the wires are ever present. We can thank the editing department, sure, but hey, the director made sure it was to his liking. The music followed by Hunt's escape from the island is awesome. Even the choir in the background had the movie look like a war epic. The true ridiculousness enters as the motorcycle chase undergoes, making our spy practically invincible. Regardless, it's well worth the action.

The Visuals:

Though impossible they may seem, the actions were top notch for its time. John Woo prides himself in making sure his fight scenes deliver excitement without question. Let us also recognize the use of the color red in most of the movie. The lighting is great followed by a touch of orange.

Overall:

A pretty good sequel with fantastic action, but strays far into ridiculousness that you just can't help but enjoy it.

Written by: Bawnian©-Dexeus.