Search - Mission Impossible II (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition) on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 3/23/2024...

Great action, mystery and suspense series with Tom Cruise throughout the movies!

A different route, but an effective one...

Andrew Ellington | I'm kind of everywhere | 02/24/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I know that Beany is going to hate me for this, since he holds DePalma's original in such high esteem he actually considers the sequels to be repulsive, but I actually really like all three films in the series and feel that they play off one another rather well. There is no denying that original 96 film is, BY FAR, the best in the series, but Woo's follow up is very engaging in its stark differences.

Instead of playing a head game on us this time, Woo takes Hunt and his escapades in a drastically different direction. Woo, who is well known for his unique brand of action films, makes an impressionable mark on this film, layering scene after scene with his visionary stylings and delivering a stunning array of action sequences that ooze forth with eye-catching symmetry. The plot becomes an afterthought (unlike the original, which was all about plot). It has been commented that this film was basically built around the action scenes, and it shows, but that is the beauty of what Woo did here.

The original film was engaging and spellbinding because it made you think (hard), but this film is equally as engaging and spellbinding for the opposite reason, it makes you stare (hard).

The film revolves around Hunt and a thief Nyah who fall in love after getting steamy only to have their affections tested when they join forces to smoke out Sean, Nyah's ex-lover who happens to be selling off a deadly virus. Things get sticky (as always) and Hunt has to fight his way out, and fight he does.

With countless action scenes that involve a freelance climb up the side of a mountain that still gives me chills; one of the best car chase scenes in movie history; a brilliant ending battle between Cruise and Scott (complete with motorcycles) and a slew of other expertly crafted espionage stuff, `Mission Impossible: 2' is totally absorbing.

Tom Cruise, as much as I dislike him, was a perfect fit for this film, and he carried that perfect fit through all three films. His arrogance is balanced beautifully with his dedication, and the layers of humanity given him here (no matter how forced at times) play off him nicely. Dougray Scott makes the perfect villain and I hate that he has pretty much disappeared. After his stint in `Ever After' I saw `heartthrob' written all over him, and then he did this and I saw versatility and really thought he would be everywhere. Sadly, he kind of just went away. Thandie Newton hasn't gone anywhere, and I'm happy about that. She is totally hit or miss for me, but when she hits (like she does here), she is unforgettable.

So, is this as good as DePalma's near masterpiece? No, but it's a totally different film and it compliments the original. I own all three, and like them all to varying degrees (I feel like the third film tried hard to mix the plot depth of the original with the action style of Woo's to uneven effect, but Hoffman is seethingly brilliant and reason enough to see the film)."

Mission Impossible II

Arnita D. Brown | USA | 12/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dazzling spectacle in high-tech and hand-to-hand combat, compelling romance between gorgeous leads, and well-crafted story makes this a highly satisfying action film."

Good intense action

Galo A. Chao | 03/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love action movies and this is one that doesn't let you blink. Very good movie."