Insane actioner (Mission Impossible 2 (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Mission Impossible 2 (DVD)
Date:	07/10/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Action

Disadvantages: Scant plot

John Woo is a director that is without a doubt best known for his high-octane action films in the East, such as Bullet in the Head, The Killer, and Hard Boiled. He also helmed the highly successful actioner Face/Off, and in 2000, he returned to the U.S., helming the hugely hyped Mission Impossible sequel. Love it or hate it, for all of its bombast, it reminds us just how well Woo directs stunning action.

Dr. Vladimir Nekhorvich (Rade Serbedzija) has developed a virus called Chimera, as well as its antidote. He contacts Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) to deliver the virus safely, however, IMF Agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) disguises himself as Hunt and steals the virus. It's up to the real Ethan to form a strike team to get the virus back, teaming up once again with Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), as well as femme fatale Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton), a professional thief.

This isn't a film too concerned with clever plotting or deep characterisation, but it does deliver staggering action scenes - they're as over the top as you'd expect from any film of Woo's, and perhaps this reaches an apex as Hunt gets on a motorbike late in the day and performs some of the most insane stunts I've ever seen. Some will argue that it's almost too ridiculous, but I think this gives the film a certain kitschy charm, and certainly makes it a film to be enjoyed after a few pints.

Performances and cast are strong also - Thandie Newton really makes a name for herself here, and Tom Cruise is as reliable as ever. It's also nice to see Ving Rhames returning from the first film, and Anthony Hopkins is also great in his brief appearance. The film may not be so smart, but the exhilarating action scenes mean that this is never boring.

Summary: Not smart but great action