A great action flick - no brain needed here, just popcorn!

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2002)

After audience's complained about the complexity of the first film, they made this film so easy to follow, (to the point of being contrived!) that a three year old child could have understood it, such is the plot outline and structure of this film!
O.k. We have Tom Cruise, sending out 'I am God' signals throughout the film. I can take it. Then we have John Woo's trademark slo-mo sequences, amazing stunts, and of course white doves! I can take it. We have a gorgeous leading lady - Thandie Newton, who captures Ethan Hunt's (Cruise) heart. I can take it. And not forgetting the wonderful Dougray Scott as the villain of the piece. I can take it.
I can take it all. But the plot man, the plot is soooooooo pathetically doctored, it's a kind of a slap in the face. It's insulting! At least the first film made it's audience's think throughout. Who really suspected Jon Voight would be involved in the original? You can figure out the ending to this film in the opening 10 minutes!
Mind you, after saying that, this film is VERY entertaining! (provided you leave approximately 90% of your brain outside as you watch it!) This is first and above all, a popcorn film. That's the simple solution. It's a summer blockbuster, and what better way to get bums on seats than to combine the star appeal of Cruise and the explosive set pieces and direction of Woo?! You have to admit, the combo worked!
Watching this film though, I can't help but think about what Dougray Scott did to his career - he turned down the part of Wolverine in X-Men to do this film. Just makes you wonder, but that's a different story isn't it...?
The final climactic scrap between the hero and the villain is well choreographed and for a minute, I thought that Scott's villain could win, but hey, ain't no-one gonna beat Cruise is there? Nope. Predictable? Yep!
I give this film a 8/10 - I've been generous, I know, but the script, and the plot could have been refined somewhat, but hey, that's Hollywood for you eh?!
Enjoy!