Cruise returns to complete his ‘Mission Impossible’ (Mission Impossible (DVD))

Member Name: pinklady123

Product:	Mission Impossible (DVD)
Date:	18/07/00 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Special effects, easy-to-follow plot

Disadvantages: Thandie Newton’s acting, not enough Anthony Hopkins

I initially expressed some reluctance to see this movie as I was not a huge fan of the first Mission Impossible film. However, the main thing I must stress about this film is that it is, in my opinion, far more enjoyable than it’s predecessor, primarily because the plot is so much easier to understand. In the first film, I was frequently confused but in this latest offering, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to follow the ‘mission’ with ease.
To put it simply without giving too much away, Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise, but you knew that anyway, right?) has to save the world from a deadly virus that the bad guy, played by Dougray Scott, is planning to unleash. Of course, the pretty girl that Cruise just has to fall for, is included portrayed by Thandie Newton, and her task is to link up with her old boyfriend, who just happens to be the bad guy with the virus, and save the world.
The film springs no surprises throughout its 2 hour running time, although it manages to hold your attention avidly via the classy special effects and action sequences employed by director John Woo. Woo’s trademarks can be seen frequently throughout the film, from the high-kicking, kung-fu type fights to the slow-motion effect used to heighten tension, which was used successfully by Woo in the brilliant ‘Face / Off’.
However, there are a few problems with the film, mainly with the casting. Thandie Newton, as Cruise’s supposed love interest just doesn’t exert any charisma or screen presence throughout the entire film, displaying a blank, expressionless face at all times. Indeed, it seems as though the attraction between herself and Cruise’s character was created as an afterthought, just so that the obligatory love scene could be introduced!
Another fault I have with this movie is the inclusion of Anthony Hopkins who occurs for approximately five minutes. If you are going to have such a big star
as Hopkins, why restrict him to an almost invisible role?
So should you go and see this movie? Despite its negative points, I would recommend you see it, even if you were confused by the first one as this second film is a lot easier to understand. Also, the special effects and stunts are pretty spectacular (the opening sequence of Cruise climbing a sheer rock face unaided, hundreds of feet above the ground being one of them). If you can suspend your disbelief for two hours and just want to be entertained, you could do worse than spend £5 on watching this film.

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