Ethan Hunt is back again, this time with a simple (pratically non-existent)plot and a new boss in the form of a great (as ever!) Anthony Hopkins. Thandie Newton tries to give the godforsaken role of feisty love interest some depth, but has so little to work with it was always a losing battle. Bad guy Dougray Scott smoulders menancingly well, but is required to do little else - this is Cruise's film, from the spectacular climbing scene to the obligatory end scene snog and walk into the sunset....

A very John Woo film - seen Face/Off? Then some of this will look *very* familiar! Cruise is cool in shades and a new floppy hairdo, the crew cut and paranoia from the first film jettisoned. Stupendous stunts - Cruise is claimed to have done many himself, and certainly there are some that it seems impossible from the shots that he didn't.

Some plain silliness, obviously, including a ridiculous 6-hour-makeup job achieved in 15 seconds, and some motorbike riding even Carl Fogarty would be absurdly proud of. But all in all, a great friday night funfest. Will win no awards, the critics hate it, but don't let that put you off if you're in the mood for some brain-switching-off action.