a dazzling but flawed film

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2000)

Let me say straight out that John Woo's cinema has the power of filling me with positive glee. His images are simply dazzling, his choreography is exhilarating and his style is poetic. Having said this, I'm going to say what's wrong with M:I-2. First of all, the script is quite lame and the plot predictable. Secondly, some of the violence is so uselessly in-your-face and so protracted that I felt, more than disgusted, bored. Third, this film is clearly ALL Tom Cruise, which means that the supporting characters shine with futility, ineptitude, and insignificance. Fourth, the sexual politics are SO BAD: damsel is sexually exploited, pathetically ineffective, helplessly vulnerable, and in desperate need of rescue. Yuk.

In spite of all this, some of the scenes are filmed so beautifully, I gasped. The beginning scene in Utah, for instance: fantastic. The car chase between Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton, which transmutes into a tango dance: immensely creative and sensual. The motorcycle chase towards the end: breath-taking. Also, John Woo manages to capitalize beautifully on Tom Cruise's amazing screen charisma, to stunning effect. And he bends the M I trademark mask pealing to his penchant for identity swapping (see Face/Off, which could be the title of this film too), introducing some valuable thought-provoking elements into a script that doesn't seem to offer any to start with. Finally, I ALWAYS enjoy the bird/dove scene, a John Woo signature that expresses redemption and beauty magnificently. Terrific cinematography and amazing stunts.
So, in conclusion, I loved this film. And I'll go see everything John Woo does. But he should try to work on his female characters.