Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Director:

John Woo

Writers (WGA):

Bruce Geller (creator television series Mission: Impossible)
Ronald D. Moore (story) ...

Release Date:

24 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Tagline:

Expect the impossible again

Plot:

A secret agent is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera"

Plot Keywords:

Mission | Scientist | Thief | Virus | Love Interest

Awards:

9 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Tom Cruise	...	Ethan Hunt
Dougray Scott	...	Sean Ambrose
Thandie Newton	...	Nyah Nordoff-Hall
Ving Rhames	...	Luther Stickell
Richard Roxburgh	...	Hugh Stamp
John Polson	...	Billy Baird
Brendan Gleeson	...	John C. McCloy
Rade Serbedzija	...	Dr. Nekhorvich (as Radé Sherbedgia)
William Mapother	...	Wallis
Dominic Purcell	...	Ulrich
Mathew Wilkinson	...	Michael
Nicholas Bell	...	Accountant
Cristina Brogers	...	Flamenco Dancer
Kee Chan	...	Chemist
Kim Fleming	...	Larrabee

Also Known As:

M:I-2 (USA) (DVD box title (promotional abbreviation))
Mission: Impossible 2 (USA) (alternative spelling)
Mission: Impossible II (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action and some sensuality.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Ireland:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #36722) | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Brazil:14 | Malaysia:18SG | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Chile:TE | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 (VHS/DVD rating) | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Argyle Place, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

In the opening scene the children are playing "ring around the rosie" relating to the germ/virus that had just been created by Dr. Nekhorvich. The song was used as the wording of that children's game is traditionally held to refer to the symptoms and results of the Bubonic Plague (although in actual fact it does not).

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: During the big chase sequence, when Ethan Hunt shoots the windshield of Sean Ambrose's motorbike, the angle of the bullet might be sufficient to hit Sean Ambrose, but it also might be sufficiently deflected by the windshield.

Quotes:

Luther Stickell: The satellite doesn't work as fast as I do.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

Soundtrack:

ALBA Y CAMINO

Totally different style.

Mission: Impossible was a fast paced espionage thriller that actually made you think, which is what I like in a movie. Since John Woo, who is one of the kings of the action genre, took over for Brian De Palma, you can expect Mission: Impossible II to be an intense action movie with a majorly dumbed down plot. Everything to do with the plot is laid out for us basically right away. Now, all there is to do is sit back and watch those classic John Woo action sequences. In this movie, Ethan Hunt is once again a secret agent, and he is sent on a mission to stop a crooked agent from stealing a deadly virus for his own use.

I liked the first Mission: Impossible better because it had a more advanced plot. This Mission: Impossible is just a bland shoot 'em up action film. Now there's nothing wrong with that. The movie was still immensely entertaining. It just didn't fit in with the first film. Even the character of Ethan Hunt, though still played by Tom Cruise, is different. In this movie he doesn't seem as serious about his job. He's more cocky. However, I do like that the character now has absolutely amazing skills in hand to hand combat.

Overall, if you're looking for a smart spy thriller like the first film, this ain't it. If you're looking for a fun action film with amazing action sequences, this is it.

6.5/10