Outrageous action. Pulse pounding moments.

Rating: 7/10 (6 April 2012)

I've just finished a "Mission Impossible" marathon and to my dismay, can't figure why this sequel rated so poorly. If all those who voted over the years had an opportunity (or the patience or the time) to watch all four episodes back to back, I think this rating thing would fare differently.
Is there anyone who can honestly say the scene 2 of this movie, where Tom Cruise is free solo climbing in The Grand Canyon, jumping from one escarpment to another, slipping to an almost certain death and hanging from one hand like even Alex Honnold would not dare to try (Google that guy), is not an absolutely stunning piece of action footage. For good measure, the music playing in the background of that scene, the song 'Iko Iko', was, for those who know the story or origin of the song, a brilliant choice. The cinematography in that movie was superior to the original movie, in my not all that humble opinion, and certainly as good as the following two sequels. Critics, including music critics, all agree the OST (original sound track) in M I-2 is the best; I could not reproduce, at home, the sound I heard at the cinema, at least not without my neighbors getting very upset. I remember, twelve years after the fact, the excitement I felt walking out of the cinema; the others were also exciting, just not quite as much for me. The franchise does so well because many other 'moviegoers' walk out of the cinema with that very same excitement.
I must acknowledge that, as with all big Hollywood action features, the story as well as the stunts defy reality and it's mostly fantasy, so the 'M.I.' films are aimed at thrill seekers and who isn't one from time to time. Anyone trying to judge these movies, comparing them to classics or award winning novel based dramas, is farting downwind.
The first three 'M.I.' had renowned directors, but John Woo was unquestionably the best at action sequences, which abound in M I-2. The motorcycle chase scene is one hell of a superbly choreographed and edited action scene. Dougray Scott is the best villain of all the four M.I.; argue that one if you can. The best female co-star of all four 'M.I.', for my liking, is Thandie Newton. I know I am completely counter majority opinion here, but I maintain that back to back viewing of the four movies, or viewing in the same year would generate far different results.