If you saw the trailer, then you knew what you were gonna get..

Rating: 8/10 (7 March 2001)

The trailer was filled with nicely choreographed action sequences, cool one liners and various beautiful people set to a rocking soundtrack. I have to ask, if that didn't look like it was gonna be your thing, then why see the movie? It patently looked nothing like the first film (which was also excellent) so people decrying it as 'just another action movie' have missed the point of the entire exercise, I feel.
I don't usually like John Woo's style, too symbolism-heavy and stylised for my tastes, but it works surprisingly well here, probably because the main part of the film is spent probing the characters. There are some great set-pieces, beautiful cinematography and a first-rate cast. Cruise does a complete character transformation from the first film and emerges as a creditable action hero. Thandie Newton is great as always, both as eye-candy and because she's a talented actress, and Dougray Scott is largely brilliant as the villain Ambrose. Makes me think he would have made a great Wolverine in X-Men (although Hugh Jackman IS absolutely perfect for that role) Anthony Hopkins even appears for a perfect cameo, an even better Jim Phelps than Jon Voight was in the first movie!
I think the fact that it's so markedly different from the first one makes it a more enjoyable experience to watch them together, since they're both different types of movie. I would agree that the plot here is perhaps a bit TOO simple after the mind scramble that was M:I, but at least it's interesting, regardless of whether it was filched from Hitchcock or not. If you're gonna pilfer from anybody, best that they be a recognised genius... !
Ultimately, M:I-2 is a summer 'event' movie that delivers in spades. If you come across the trailer and LIKE it, then the movie's even better; if it leaves you cold, then don't watch the movie!