Mission: Impossible II (2000) Movie Review
Synopsis:
IMF agent, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), returns to take down former IMF agent, Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). Sean intends to release a bioweapon named Chimera. Joining him is the computer expert, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames). Also joining Ethan is the striking thief, Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton).
Review:
A sequel to Brian De Palma’s 1996 installment soon followed in 2000. Directing this sequel is Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo.
He provides the visual flair, yet loses sight of most other elements in the process.
Brian De Palma’s first Mission: Impossible film had atmosphere and tension. As a result, it immersed the audience.
As Hunt’s team dies one by one, the audience pieces the different clues together. These are elements that John Woo’s second installment fails to capture.
Woo instead relies on flashy explosions, exposition, and rushed romantic connections.
In retrospect, the first Mission: Impossible had very few action sequences. Despite this, a sense of tension and priority was present in each one.
Each action sequence had a purpose, even the dated train sequence. John Woo’s action, despite having good visuals, has an excessive use of slow motion.
Take, for example, a shootout in Sydney, which involves Cruise’s Ethan Hunt spinning in slow motion.
Aside from adding some “dramatic” flair, there is no reason for it otherwise. Slow motion is also used during scenes with dialogue.
Again, aside from offering dramatic effect, it fails to serve any other purpose.
Ethan Hunt’s final fight with the main antagonist, Sean Ambrose, is the film's most entertaining.
It still has some unnecessary slow motion. Despite this, the choreography and impact of each hit are impactful.
As expected, Tom Cruise once again provides a good performance as Ethan Hunt.
This film fails to provide much more development for his character. Regardless, Tom remains committed to his performance.
Joining the cast of this sequel is Thandiwe Newton as the beautiful thief, Nyah.
Thandiwe’s character isn’t developed beyond showcasing her skills as a thief.
Tom Cruise and Thandiwe Newton have a somewhat believable chemistry in their scenes together.
Still, Mission: Impossible II doesn't explore either one enough to be interesting.
Dougray Scott's Sean Ambrose is also underdeveloped as the main antagonist.
Dougray’s character of Sean Ambrose has some menace. Despite this, the film does not explore any more of his qualities.
Also, the character’s monotone dialogue impacts the plot’s pacing as a result.
Making his return in this entry is Ving Rhames as computer genius Luther Stickell.
Although his character fails to have as much charm compared to the original, Rhames’s performance is good.
German composer Hans Zimmer provided the score for this film. With it, Zimmer fits the tone that the director, John Woo, wanted to establish.
Conclusion:
As a sequel, Mission: Impossible II lacks the tension and atmosphere of Brian De Palma’s first entry.
John Woo’s visual style complements the locals and action sequences to an extent. It is his excessive use of slow motion that hampers proceedings.
Mission: Impossible II’s final fight with Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and Dougray Scott’s Sean Ambrose is an exception to this rule.
It is an impactful sequence, with good choreography to match it.
Tom Cruise provides the usual committed performance. As a whole, Dougray Scott’s Sean Ambrose is an afterthought.
Although the actor’s performance is above average, the character is monotone at best.
Thandiwe Newton’s Nyah, despite the actress’s striking looks, is also underdeveloped.
If the film explored more of her background as a thief, it would have added a greater sense of consistency.
Ving Rhames’s Luther Stickell is a welcome presence alongside Cruise.
Despite this, the film’s tone does not allow him to express his charisma as often.
Hans Zimmer’s original score is also competent. As a whole, it matched the director John Woo's style.
In general, Mission: Impossible II is a less consistent film than its predecessor.
It's hampered by a rushed romance, an underdeveloped antagonist, and excessive slow-motion.
Regardless, for fans of the Mission: Impossible franchise, or of Tom Cruise, it’s a decent watch.
Sam’s Action Reaction score:
Characters - 6/10
Story - 6/10
Action - 6/10
Visuals - 7/10
Soundtrack - 6.5/10
Overall score: 6.3 out of 10