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Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh ... see more see more... , John Polson , Brendan Gleeson , Rade Serbedzija , Anthony Hopkins , William R. Mapother

Director John Woo brings Hong Kong-style martial arts action to this comic book-flavored sequel that eschews the complicated plot and political maneuverings of its predecessor in favor of pure, adrena... read more read more...line-charged thrills. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, an operative for the top-secret government agency IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Fellow agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) has gone rogue, stealing a sample of a deadly synthetic virus named Chimera that could rapidly wipe out the world's population. Ambrose's plan is to sell Chimera to the highest bidder in exchange for shares of stock in the winner's company. Summoned by the new IMF chief (Anthony Hopkins in an uncredited cameo role), Ethan is assigned to recruit the help of Ambrose's former lover Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton), a gorgeous woman who left Ambrose broken-hearted and who may be able to quickly regain his confidence. Once he meets and spends a night with Nyah, however, Ethan is smitten, and now must both capture Ambrose and keep Nyah alive as she infiltrates a nest of vipers. Sophisticated disguises, gun battles, and high-speed chases are the order of the day, very much in the James Bond mold. Mission: Impossible 2 is based on a story by Star Trek: The Next Generation writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga, with a script polish by Robert Towne. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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55% liked it

420,295 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

141 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: John Woo

Release Date: December 31, 2000

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2000

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Stats: 15,918 reviews

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Mission Impossible 2 Ethan Hunt MI2 Mission Impossible 2 Ethan Hunt Mission Impossible 2 MI2 Mission: Impossible II Brendan Gleeson (as John C. McCloy) in 'Mission: Impossible II' Richard as Hugh Stamp in M:I2
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Flixster Reviews (15,918)

  • phubbs1
    April 1, 2012
    phubbs1
    Well if you like Mr Woo then your in for a treat, the whole film is a slow motion action fest with every trade mark Woo can muster from his Eastern flick back catalog. The rest of the film purely concentrates on Cruise's face and hair haha sure the film looks gorgeous and the act... read moreion is sweet but there is nothing more. The plot is as common as a chav and the acting/casting is weak...Dougray Scott is pathetic as the bad guy frankly, hardly intimidating. A perfect example of how Cruise has turned the film into a self indulgent mess, it focuses on nothing else really.

    Out goes the original notion of 'Hunt' acting in a well oiled espionage machine and in comes Mr Cruise's personal ego trip on how the classic franchise should go. Yes I can't deny that some of the stunts and gun fights/fights are almost beautiful in how they have been filmed, a virtual ballet of violence for sure but you can only do so much.
    The motorbike 'jousting' sequence is almost embarrassing to watch really, its so stupid yet taken so seriously, there is nothing wrong with adding a different style to the franchise but they should have toned it down.

    Bad move Mr Cruise and bad move Mr Woo for going overboard, slow motion action has fast become over used and almost jokey. The only genuinely decent sequence is at the start when Cruise shows us he has balls by doing his own free climbing stunts which are pretty impressive I must say, certainly makes you grip your armrest watching that hehe a very good tense yet simple sequence.
  • fb1463751009
    March 10, 2012
    fb1463751009
    what the hell was this? Mission Impossible 1 was great. This movie was crapped on by John Woo, the asian-Michael Bay. Stupid. Long-haired Tom Cruise. Exploding glasses going towards the camera. Headshots while spinning on a motorcycle. Dumb.
  • fb100001048934982
    January 28, 2012
    fb100001048934982
    I have seen all of the Mission Impossible franchise, and 'MI2' is easily my least favorite. The un-involving story, poor choice of actors, and cringe-inducing fight scenes (overstuffed with Woo's martial arts action) are all areas of concern. The franchise seems to have met a spe... read moreed bump on its way to success.
  • CloudStrife84
    January 26, 2012
    CloudStrife84
    John Woo's contribution to the MI-series is more of a "Woops" than a "Woo-hoo". Weakest of the lot, it lacks the drive and intensity that made the original such a thrill ride. Treading a lot of water, it takes too long to get going, and just when you think it's about to pick up t... read morehe pace, it drops the would-be suspense, in favor of some awkwardly placed slow-motion shots and uninteresting dialogue. It's not the total misfire that some have made it out to be though. More often than not, it's a pretty enjoyable watch. Not because of the action, but because of the actors carrying it out. For although the main villain is a cardboard cut-out with no interesting character traits, Tom Cruise and the supporting cast (including the very lovely Thandie Newton and a brief, but dignified appearance by Sir Anthony Hopkins) maintains a solid watchability, that prevents the film from crashing. My least favourite in the franchise, no argument there, but it could definitely have been a lot worse. Just an average slice of spy action. No more, no less.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 16, 2012
    sanjurosamurai
    more like action impossible. a total trainwreck and the only weak spot in an otherwise solid series.
  • fb733768972
    December 20, 2011
    fb733768972
    Like the first, the second instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise, needs better writers, and less unbelievable hollywood action. With eye popping stunts and a cast that everyone came to love from the first, Mission Impossible 2 is a great action flick if you turn your bra... read morein off. If you are in the mood to have an average story, covered by brainless action sequences, then Mission Impossible 2 is the film for you. However, I think the series is about to go downhill if the studio does not, up their game. Mission Impossible 2 is very hit and miss. To me, it is very fun at times, but does not quite live up to the original!
  • fb7018436
    November 19, 2011
    fb7018436
    This was almost as bad as Knight and Day
  • cosmo313
    November 10, 2011
    cosmo313
    I actually do like this movie, because it does have it's merits, but I think it went in the wrong direction this time around. First of all, John Woo is a great director, but I think he was the wrong choice for this. There's absolutelyt nothign wrong with action in a spy thriller,... read more but Woo's brand of action just doesn't fit with this type of thing. I do like balls to the wall action, but I also like an intelligent and strong plot with loads of intrigue, suspense, and atmosphere- things that are really lacking here.

    Cruise is once again good as Hunt, and I like his look here, but I'm not big on how the character was portrayed this time around. At least we've got Ving Rhames back. He has a good rapport with Cruise and definitely cements himself as a necessary part of this series. It just wouldn't be the same without him.

    If all you want is a loud, bombastic action fest with some spyjinks thrown in, then this is for you. If however, you want some intrigue and suspense to go with your action, then stick with the first one. I will say though, that one of the biggest highlights for me was this film's soundtrack, filled ot the brim with then current alternative and metal tracks that really spoke to me at the time, and still kinda do.
  • aSpaceCowboy
    September 30, 2011
    aSpaceCowboy
    Cool effects, but not a very concrete plot. Besides, how many times did this movie expect to get away with the mask route? Was Ethan just carrying around a mask of Sean's henchman the whole time?
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Sequel to Mission Impossible is a borderline decent action film that has a fairly engaging story, but lacks the power of the original or third entry. One reason for this I'd say is because of John Woo's directing style, his films suck and he adapts his signature in creating a fil... read morem laced with lots of action and strong visuals. The film is certainly entertaining, but once the credits roll, you are left with thoughts that there was something missing in order to make a truly impressive sequel. Luckily that was repaired with the third film. The acting here is good, but not excellent, and some performances feel forced, almost strained. I felt that this film could have been much better, and that they could've picked a better director to helm the project. The film has some good action scenes, but never really anything great. The things that are absent from this sequel are remedied in the third, and in the third, the villains are more fierce and make for a better film experience. Overall this is a decent film, with nothing remarkable about it. The film could have been much better and it shows on screen. The film has the potential of being phenomenal, but it falls most of the time, and at times it's just ridiculous. Obviously they were never going to be able to capture the strength of the first film with the writers that wrote this sequel. What you can expect from this sequel is a decent action film that stalls in delivering something memorable.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Harvey
March 27, 2009
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Woo lays on his own particular high-octane stylishness so thick the results edge perilously toward self-parody. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

For all my profound reservations about the whole project, I wound up liking it more, or, at least disliking it less, than I had anticipated. Thandie Newton is the biggest reason. Full Review

Peter Rainer
January 16, 2003
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

Despite Cruise's attempts here to be Byronic, there's something strenuous about his soulfulness; he turns everything, even repose, into calisthenics. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's fun. It's laughable. It has moments of excitement, moments of sheer idiocy and moments of sheer idiotic excitement. Full Review

Rick Groen
March 22, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

A strained sequel to a feature rip-off of an old television show with a stealable theme song. On screen and off, no one's getting marks for originality here. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 1, 2000
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Mission: Impossible 2 is pure escapism and never pretends to be anything else. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
January 1, 2000
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Check your brains at the popcorn stand and hang on for a spectacular ride.

Philip Wuntch
January 1, 2000
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News

A dizzyingly enjoyable retro rollercoaster. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Woo is in fine form. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
January 1, 2000
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Once Woo unleashes his bad self and ignites the proceedings here, once the glass shatters, the flames erupt, the gunshots ricochet and the doves fly, all is well with M:I-2. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Ethan Hunt: You're sorry, I'm sorry.
    • Ethan Hunt: I'll let you know where I'm going.
    • Boss: Don't have to do that. It wouldn't be a vacation if you did.
    • Sean Ambrose: This is what's known as getting your gun off.
  • The first film Metallica agreed to write a song for.
  • Dougray Scott (Sean) was supposed to play Wolverine in "X-Men", but he had to drop out of the film when filming for this film had to be extended.
  • Anthony Hopkins is the first character in the film series to actually say the words "mission impossible".
Submit a Fact | View All

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Mission Impossible 2 Trivia

  • Which 2000 action movie starring Tom Cruise had a popular Lalo Schiffrin theme redone in hard/alternative/metal rock titled "Take a Look Around?"  Answer »
  • in which movie does tom cruise hang from a cliff??  Answer »
  • Name the actress that starred with Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2?  Answer »
  • in which movie did tom cruise almost lose his eye?  Answer »
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