Stylish nonsense

Rating: 3/10 (12 January 2002)

I've heard that John Woo shot a load of action scenes and then tried to fit them into a film. I don't know how true this is, but it would explain a lot, particularly the early rock-climbing scene. The plot is predictable and silly (and overexplained, probably because the original was (unfairly) criticised for being confusing), involving a deadly virus and lots of people pretending to be other people with the help of rubber masks. Naturally, things get heavier when Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) falls for the fast-living criminal eye-candy (Thandie Newton). Newton's character brings the only real feeling to the film, and only at very few points is this anything more than a load of action scenes very stylishly shot (and very typically Woo, so no real surprises) but inexpertly cobbled together into a film.
As someone who's indifferent to the whole testosterone action stunts involving good-looking film stars malarky, I give it 3 out of 10. Up or downgrade that by as much as 2 points if you have stronger feelings.