Unfairly savaged

Rating: 8/10 (17 November 2003)

First I should say I never saw the TV series. It was before my time. Now, while MI:2 borrows from several films, especially Notorious, Entrapment and Goldeneye, it by no means deserves all the criticism it has received. The action sequences, especially the pre-credit, motorcycle chase, and martial arts finale, were exciting and creatively filmed though Woo's trademark touches are bordering on self-parody. Dougray Scott made for a good nemesis and his henchman was nasty as well. In an age of potential bio-terrorism the plot has some relevance. Post 9/11, I don't think they could've done the pre-credit sequence. On the negative side Hunt has all the heroics to himself and Newton didn't make for the most alluring love interest. Still this franchise is more interesting than Bond though I wonder if it can generate twenty films and/or survive the exit of Cruise. Overall, 7/10. Bring on MI:3!