Exciting But Stupid

Rating: 5/10 (30 May 2000)

In terms of action, this movie will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, but it had a high "cringe" factor. When I think of "Mission Impossible" I don't think "love story" and that's exactly what this movie is. I just couldn't bring myself to believe that Ethan Hunt would actually get hooked on a woman after spending one night with her. Ethan is too smart to fall for that and I was extremely disappointed by his bad judgment.
The action scenes are well shot, the pace of the film is excellent, and the storyline is interesting. I love Tom Cruise as an actor (and as a male physical specimen) and he did a great job of playing Mr. Joe-Cool-Secret-Agent-Guy. But that's the problem...he's too cool to fall for a professional thief like Naya. I just didn't buy it. Speaking of Naya...she impressed me in the beginning of the film, but after the first half-hour her two or three limited facial expressions got a bit old. Keep in mind that most of the action sequences are so unbelievable you might just laugh out loud. But I guess that's the point???? Also, I got a bit sick of all the mask-rip-offs -- I could see them coming a mile away. Anthony Hopkins should have had a slightly bigger role because he's a brilliant actor and didn't have much of a part to work with.
MI2 is worth seeing, but I my opinion the first one was MUCH better.