Dreck, Plain and Simple

Rating: 2/10 (30 May 2000)

Ok, MI2 isn't going to be high art, no problem. Sure it will have improbable moments, no problem. I can accept all of those features. Bond films fall into similar categories and I generally like those. MI2 is simply unlikeable. The plot barely exists as a meaningful feature. The characters are hideous- one wonders how much Anthony Hopkins needed a pay day to show up in this one. OK, fine so the plot is swiss cheese and the characters stink is a good action film? No. The movie opens with the use of the all concealing rubber masks/voice changers and continues to overuse them as a plot device. These masks, BTW, have the incredible ability to make folks taller/shorter, thinner/fatter and come pre-scorched so they are just right for any scene. The device is not only hackneyed but obvious in every use. The martial arts sequences are again boring. Woo loves the spectacular but the fight scenes seem more designed to show off Tom Cruise's whipping hair than any martial arts skills (which I doubt Cruise of the villian-actor had much of). The motorcycle chase scenes are dull but include: an obvious computer animation gaff where the cycle hovers during a jump, a silly wire trick for a front wheelie and Tom's cycle becoming bulletproof while he hides behind it?!?! There are, by my guess, 2 action sequences (one which includes the trademark Woo two gun action)and the finale plus one short and pointless car chase in a movie that runs around 2 hours. The rest is a lot of talking by characters you'll struggle to care a whit about. Skip it.