Overall an entertaining picture

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2000)

So maybe the story was cliche and not too original. Maybe it wasn't Tom Cruise's most thoughprovoking film (but IMO it was a lot better than "Eyes Wide Shut") but "Mission: Impossible 2" was well worth my money. First in its defense, this movie falls under the action genre, which isn't known for it's deep philosophical dialouge or art house directing. You go to an action movie for the action and this movie had plenty. This movie was probably my most anticipated movie because it combined the talent of Tom Cruise and John Woo.
John Woo in his own right is a god among directors. He's totally changed the face of the action film in Hong Kong and now the US. Maybe his US films didn't have the world's best stories (i.e. "Broken Arrow" or "Hard Target") but they didn't fail in the action department. I think "Face/Off" had a better story but it lacked in the action area. His presence is even felt in the films that he just produced ("The Big Hit" and "The Replacement Killers"). I'll admit that the only truly entertaining parts of the movie was the final 1/3 of the film, but then again that's what I went to the movie for.
Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's most popular, talented, and underrated actors today. He's been nominate for the coveted Oscar three times and each time he's been snubbed. I'm just praying for the day he's work is appreciated with the time honored golden statue. I think this movie was a good move for Cruise in more ways than one. First, it shows that he has no problem making sequels like some actors do. Second, it proves that he's a multi-layered actor. He can work in a drama, comedy, love story, and now an action movie (and yes I know he proved that in the first "Mission: Impossible). It's important to find an actor who has more than one role and Tom Cruise is one of those actors.
All in all I was entertained with the film. It wasn't a thought provoking drama but it was an action packed John Woo film, enough said.