A bit better than the original....but not much

Rating: Null/10 (23 August 2000)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
Having eagerly anticipated viewing the original in the summer of 1996,and then to view what was hailed by all the critics as the best blockbuster of the summer left me totally baffled at how jaw droppingly incoherent and poor it was.So,naturally,the moment a sequel was suggested,I did'nt show much interest,until I learned that John Woo was at the directorial helm.And this pretty much shows throughout the movie.Because if the man is utterly hopeless at piecing together an intricate,twisty turny plot,then boy does he know how to direct an action sequence,as is shown at the end.The explosions/fighting interlude ,involving motorbikes,vans,and ,as usual,many,many guns,was very well handled,and pretty much filled a very huge gap in a sagging movie.
On the performances front,Tom Cruise acts like he's desperately trying to get off to sleep in the role,occasionally getting agitated if someone nudges him,whilst it's shocking to think how much they must have payed Anthony Hopkins just for two scenes,one more involving only his voice,and Thandie Newton is incredably overrated,not just as an actress,but she's nowhere near as attractive as everyone makes her out to be either.
The worst aspect of the film is that it all just feels like a huge marketing gimmick,which,when you think about it,is always a hinderance in being entertained.Nevertheless,if action ,twisty turny plot revalations,and stunts (the hanging cliff-top thing at the beginning is truly breathtaking)and you either did'nt mind or quite enjoyed the original,this is another film that's much better catching at the cinema,than on video where it will probably lose all it's spectacle.***