It's all about the Special Effects...

Rating: 8/10 (22 May 2000)

They should rename this movie "Mission Implausible" and flog the script writer. The premise of the movie is based on a woman (Thandie Newton) willing to risk her life & reconnect with her bad-boy, ex-boyfriend (Dougray Scott) for a man she falls into bed with (Tom Cruise) after meeting him just 24 hrs prior. The dialogue between the Newton & Cruise is elementary school level at best and they don't spark. See "Thomas Crowne Affair" for an example of great chemistry. You feel your eyes rolling every time the lovers make cows eyes at each other before speaking. Look for Thandie Newton's wonderbra - it only makes one appearance. Director John Woo uses his magic wand on Tom Cruise and tries to turn him into an American Chow Yun-Fat. Although Dougray Scott fairs well as the progressively greedy, besotted terrorist, it's Anthony Hopkins who steals the movie with only 6 minutes of screen time. Ving Rhames & John Polson (Cruise's IMF team) have little dialogue - shame. The best throw-away lines are by Scott... The magnificent performance by Tom Cruise in "Magnolia" is not repeated here.
BUT if you're a special effects, action genre junkie, this will hold you over till X-Men is released July 14.