Production Year: 2000 - Action/Adventure - Director: John Woo - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Brendan Gleeson, John Polson, Anthony Hopkins, Rade Serbedzija, William R. Mapother, Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Richard Roxburgh, Ving Rhames
This is the action-packed sequel to the 1996 blockbuster, which in turn was based on the popular 1960s television show of the same name. Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt,... more
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Impossible outing from megastar Tom Cruise suffers from an inconsistent tone and tired plot devices--not only recycled from other films, but repeated throughout the film...
Impossible outing from megastar Tom Cruise suffers from an inconsistent tone and tired plot devices--not only recycled from other films, but repeated throughout the film...
Impossible outing from megastar Tom Cruise suffers from an inconsistent tone and tired plot devices--not only recycled from other films, but repeated throughout the film. Despite remarkable cinematography and awe-inspiring, trademark Woo photography, the movie offers a tepid story from legendary screenwriter-director Robert Towne (Chinatown) and a host of other writers, most uncredited.Following on from the set pieces in the first big-budget, big box-office MI in 1996, it's clear (as Towne confirms) that the plot was developed around Woo- and Cruise-written action sequences. The film combines equal elements of romance and action, and is best when it features the stunning allure of Thandie Newton as Nyah, a master thief recruited by the sinewy charms of Ethan Hunt (a fit Cruise). Deeply in love after a passionate night, the couple must then combat MI nemesis (and Nyah's former lover) Sean Ambrose (Ever After's Dougray Scott). Ambrose holds hostage a virus and its cure, and offers them to the highest bidder.Woo's famed mythic film making is far from subtle, with heroic Hunt frequently slow-motion walking through fire, smoke or other similar devices, replete with a white dove among pigeons to signal his presence. The emphasis on romance is an attempt to develop character and a more human side to superspy Hunt, but still the story proves a distraction from the exciting action sequences. John Polson (as an MI team member) is an Aussie talent to keep an eye on. --N.F. MendozaM:I-2 DVD Extra Features With more and more DVDs coming out with an extra DVD full of features at a slightly more expensive price, it's nice every so often to see a disc that offers not only a great movie, but a bundle of features on it as well. The M:i-2 DVD does just this, and features not only the widescreen presentation, but also a number of behind-the-scenes footage, a spoof documentary, breakdowns of some of the stunts and even a music video to boot. Although the breakdown of scenes has that "Tom really did do it all, honest" feel to it, some of the elements are genuinely interesting. The biggest surprise of all though is the inclusion of the six-minute spoof documentary that was done for the MTV awards with Ben Stiller. All in all, a well presented disc and set of extra features. --Stuart Miles
Impossible outing from megastar Tom Cruise suffers from an inconsistent tone and tired plot devices--not only recycled from other films, but repeated throughout the film. Despite remarkable cinematography and awe-inspiring, trademark Woo photography, the movie offers a tepid story from legendary screenwriter-director Robert Towne (Chinatown) and a host of other writers, most uncredited.Following on from the set pieces in the first big-budget, big box-office MI in 1996, it's clear (as Towne confirms) that the plot was developed around Woo- and Cruise-written action sequences. The film combines equal elements of romance and action, and is best when it features the stunning allure of Thandie Newton as Nyah, a master thief recruited by the sinewy charms of Ethan Hunt (a fit Cruise). Deeply in love after a passionate night, the couple must then combat MI nemesis (and Nyah's former lover) Sean Ambrose (Ever After's Dougray Scott). Ambrose holds hostage a virus and its cure, and offers them to the highest bidder.Woo's famed mythic film making is far from subtle, with heroic Hunt frequently slow-motion walking through fire, smoke or other similar devices, replete with a white dove among pigeons to signal his presence. The emphasis on romance is an attempt to develop character and a more human side to superspy Hunt, but still the story proves a distraction from the exciting action sequences. John Polson (as an MI team member) is an Aussie talent to keep an eye on. --N.F. MendozaM:I-2 DVD Extra Features With more and more DVDs coming out with an extra DVD full of features at a slightly more expensive price, it's nice every so often to see a disc that offers not only a great movie, but a bundle of features on it as well. The M:i-2 DVD does just this, and features not only the widescreen presentation, but also a number of behind-the-scenes footage, a spoof documentary, breakdowns of some of the stunts and even a music video to boot. Although the breakdown of scenes has that "Tom really did do it all, honest" feel to it, some of the elements are genuinely interesting. The biggest surprise of all though is the inclusion of the six-minute spoof documentary that was done for the MTV awards with Ben Stiller. All in all, a well presented disc and set of extra features. --Stuart Miles
Advantages: It has a finish Disadvantages: lots, see op
Your mission if you choose to accept, is to watch this film. It’s not quite a mission impossible task, but it is mission difficult, predictable and trite.
I enjoyed the original Mission Impossible. It was action packed, full of suspense and twists, with a good unpredictable plot. The return of spy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in this film, is a disappointment. If I like action films I can suspend disbelief, but not to this one. I found myself wondering ... ...than the Bosnian war. How a car can be blown up on a wooden bridge and the wooden bridge can stay intact. Why Tom Cruises’s character wasn’t dead after yet enough surely fatal activity. As you may have guessed I didn’t like this film.
The plot centres around deadly virus Kimara, a super duper flu vaccine gone wrong that could seriously destroy Tom’s pretty face before painfully killing him. A scientist is on a plane with this virus and it’s antidote ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great directing, great action stunts, good story, great acting. Disadvantages: None!
Another excellent film that I have recently purchased on DVD, is Mission Impossible 2. Not only is it a great action movie, reminding me sometimes of other great movies, like The Matrix and James Bond, but it has a fairly good storyline, as well as a bit of lovey dovey stuff.
Tom Cruise is back playing Ethan Hunt, our Mission Impossible hero. Sequels are so much better when the original star is cast.
So what’s the impossible mission this ... ...that the company he works for, Biocyte, has developed a lethal form of influenza known as Chimera. They have also developed a cure for this (Bellerophon), and Doctor Nekhorvich learns that they plan to release Chimera into the population so that they can make huge profits on the cure, Bellerophon.
He informs the head of Impossible Mission Force, Swanbeck (played by Anthony Hopkins), that he needs an IMF escort for the disease and it’s cure, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good action, Tom Cruise is good Disadvantages: Weak story and some poor cast
‘This is not mission difficult, this is mission impossible.’ Not a bad quote from the film, after all this is supposed to be the best of the best in the spying world. Mission Impossible 2 follows on from the original film, with Tom Cruise as the best spy in the world facing the toughest assignments. Just the film does not turn out to be the best of the best in the film world, despite some decent stunts and Cruise in there it just does ... ...Cruise is Ethan Hunt, top spy for the IMF to bust worldwide terrorism and anything wrong with the world. This time he is out to stop former colleague and spy Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) from unleashing a new and deadly killer virus on the world. Their fiendishly brilliant plan this time is to release the virus that unless treated within 20 hours results in cell destruction in the blood leaving a very unpleasant and quick death. In league with Ambrose ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Red hot stunts and action sequences (watch out for the motorbikes!) Disadvantages: Not so hot acting or plotline
Your mission reader ... should you choose to accept it ... is to watch this film and not laugh. Seriously!
I failed (badly) in this on the very first scene with Cruise dangling from the rock face. Sorry, but it just looked so silly that I had to laugh out loud at it. It’s so over the top that you cannot take it too seriously. That, in a nutshell, is the best way to approach this film. If you want to dissect the plot and critique the acting ... ...If, on the other hand, you want a cracking action film, full to the brim with outrageous stunts and explosions then you will have a blast. It follows on from the previous MI film with only two of the characters reprising their roles, Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and Ving Rhames (in a rather more active role this time) as Luther Strickell. The Plot ****** It’s not really all that important in the scheme of things (hey, when was a James Bond plot ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good action film, enjoyable Disadvantages: None
Having read many of the reviews for this film it was interesting to see it on video and compare. Many reviews had spoken of it as being disappointing and not credible as opposed to being incredible. Well actually I enjoyed it. It is probably better to watch it without preconceptions and just enjoy it for what it is an enjoyable action movie.
Tom Cruise is not one of my favourite actors I have to say. He always seems a little too good and too clever ... ...quite passable, after all it is a role in which you have to suspend belief anyway so you may as well do it watching Tom Cruise as anybody. Thandie Newton plays the love interest with the inevitable twist in her past. I would not be able to name anything she has ever done before or since but she again fulfilled what was needed.
The film was directed by John Woo who has a penchant for these increasingly action packed films. The films are also dramatic ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Actor(s): Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Richard Roxburgh, Ving Rhames, Brendan Gleeson, John Polson, Anthony Hopkins, Rade Serbedzija, Anthony Hopkins, William R. Mapother
Director(s): John Woo
Genre: Action & Adventure
Classification: 15 years and over
Production Year: 2000
Running Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Ethan Hunt, the IMF agent, returns again for a top secret mission, he is sent to destroy a sample of a deadly disease called Chimera which has been stolen by a rogue fellow agent.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DIST. SERVICES
Release date: 11/12/2000
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: PHE 8045
Editor: Steven Kemper, Christian Wagner
Barcode: 5014437804532
Production Designer: Thomas Sanders
Screenwriter: William Goldman, David Marconi, Robert Towne, Ronald D. Moore, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, John Logan, Michael Tolkin
Composer: Hans Zimmer, BT
Featured: Hans Zimmer
Executive Producer: Paul Hitchcock, Terence Chang, Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner
Director of Photography: Jeffrey L. Kimball
Producer: Terence Chang, Rick Berman, Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner, Michael Tolkin, Hans Zimmer, Brannon Braga
Author: Robert Towne, Rick Berman, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, Michael Tolkin, William Goldman, John Logan
Costume Designer: Lizzy Gardiner
Writer: Robert Towne, David Marconi
DVD Description
This is the action-packed sequel to the 1996 blockbuster, which in turn was based on the popular 1960s television show of the same name. Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, leader of the IMF team that is responsible for embarking on top secret, dangerous missions that will maintain world peace and stability. Their mission this time is to track down and destroy a deadly virus that is on its way to falling into the wrong hands. With the clock ticking, Hunt and his cohorts must save the day before it's too late.
Languages
Main Language: English
Subtitle Language: English
Hearing Impaired Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Interactive Menus, Scene Selection, Commentary Track, Behind The Mission Cast And Crew Interviews, Stunts Featurette, Metallica Music Video, Alternate Title Sequence
Aspect Ratio: 2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English
Professional reviews
Review: "...Tons of action....The most spectacular film Woo has ever directed..." (Hollywood Reporter, p.87, 30/05/2000)
"...Woo generates explosive excitement....Cruise sizzles in a killer blast of thrills, suspense and delicious sin..." (Rolling Stone, p.139-40, 22/06/2000)
"...Cruise's rock climbing antics set your blood pumping early..." (Total Film, p.80, 01/08/2000)
"...[John Woo] directs action the way others stage Wagnerian operas..." -- 3 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.11E, 16/06/2000)
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