A movie finally worth its predetermined blockbuster status.

Rating: 7/10 (21 June 2000)

"Mission: Impossible 2" is one of the few movies that has the oomph to live up to its hype. John Woo has created a visual spectacle, and the story is just passable enough to maintain interest.
Plotline? Fairly simple....Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is called back into service after a rogue agent steals the antidote to a lethal new manmade virus. With the antidote the villain (Dougray Scott) can attain the virus and wreak havoc on the population.
I really want to praise John Woo, he has such a deft touch with action movies and the ones in this are no exception. Fight scenes, chase scenes all so expertly choreographed that it seems like a ballet. Top notch action sequences in this one that may only be rivaled this year by "X-Men".
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt,and is a engaging presence onscreen. His chemistry with Thandie Newton (as Nyah, a very beautiful and clever thief) is top notch. Wonderful characterization here, as Ethan never comes off too serious or too campy, but as a man trying to get the job done.
Thandie Newton plays Nyah Nordolf-Hall, a civilian thief recruited by the IMF to help Hunt get to the villian (more on him later) because of a past connection. I havent seen any of Ms. Newton's earlier work, but may have to go back and see them. She comes off as a classic elegant beauty, but her character gets little more than the "love interest" treatment. She manages well though, and holds her own against Cruise.
Dougray Scott as the rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose. His deceptive and murderous ways have caused him to turn against those he used to defend and now he is in control of one of the most lethal viruses known to man. And only he has the cure. A very well played baddie by Scott, and he even steals a couple of scenes out from under Cruise. First time I've seen him as well, but really cant wait to again.
Supporting cast is little more than window dressing, although Ving Rhames (Luther Stickell) is more interesting than the rest. Cracks a couple pretty good jokes too.
"Mission: Impossible 2" is everything the first should have been, action packed, entertaining, and enjoyable. John Woo may very well have saved this franchise for Paramount, and should pass tips on how to properly make an action film to the next "Mission" director.
4 out of 5