What a disappointment. Read this before going. (No spoilers).

Rating: 7/10 (25 May 2000)

I liked the 1st movie a lot. There was a terrific, intelligent, plot that delivered suspense and plenty of action. The 2nd installment, however, was over the top from the 1st scene.
If you thought it was a little unbelievable how Cruise was blown from the helicopter to the train at the end of the 1st movie, then expect nothing less than that [in almost every scene] in the sequel. The effects became so absurd, that I had to listen to everyone around me laughing the whole movie. And I hate, I mean hate, to hear people talk or laugh during a "serious" part of the movie.
I also did not appreciate the actress, Thandie Newton, who played Cruise's lover. She made the same face during the whole movie...truly an untalented actress. The face that she made was a cross between pouty and sexy, with her eyes always fixed. It really got old after a while--almost a little comical after seeing the same expression for so long. But for some reason, the stone cold Ethan Hunt from the 1st movie was chasing her like a Mad-man during the duration of the MI:2. Essentially, she drives most of the plot. I couldn't buy into their intense spontaneous love and neither did most people in the theater.
On a positive note, however, the action in the flick was visually stunning. I truly have no idea how Woo shot most of the scenes. Woo over did himself.
In essence, the movie seriously lacked a plausible plot. The heroine couldn't act--she could only make a single (perhaps even goofy) facial expression. And the action scenes were so spectacular, that they were unbelievable. The movie is clearly not a spy movie, but a demonstration of the latest special effects and jaw dropping action scenes. Please don't be prepared to think, or you will be severely disappointed.
6/10