Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
Basic Stats
- Release Date: May 24, 2000
- Budget: $125 mil
- Box office Results
- Opening weekend: $57.8 mil
- Domestic: $215 mil
- Global: $546 mil
Cast and Director
- Director: John Woo
- Writer: Ronald Moore, Brannon Braga, Bruce Geller
- Main cast:
- Tom Cruise
- Thandie Newton
- Dougray Scott
- Ving Rhames
- John Polson
Overview
Tom Cruise’s attempt at a sequel to the successful 1996 Mission Impossible (revisited here) was plagued with stops and starts due to script issues and directorial changes.
Oliver Stone left, the entire script was re-written, and John Woo took the helm.
The film suffered from excessive shooting delays, as well as screenplay and editing issues, which led to an initial running time of 3:30 and an R rating. Editor Stuart Baird was brought in to fix the movie. He cut out over 40 minutes and got it down to a PG-13 rating.
With editing continuing until the last possible minute, what emerged was a movie, that while highly successful financially, is widely regarded as the weakest in the franchise.
Plot Summary
Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney to stop a rogue IMF agent, Sean Ambrose, from unleashing a deadly virus called “Chimera.” Hunt recruits Nyah, a thief and former girlfriend of Ambrose, to spy on him. What unfolds next is a cat-and-mouse game between Ambrose and Hunt as they pursue the virus and its antidote, with Nyah caught in the middle.
Observations
- Tom Cruise told John Woo he wanted a different feel to each “episode” of Mission Impossible centered around the director. He wanted a John Woo movie.
- He got a John Woo movie.
- This is the most localized film of the series. All the main action takes place in one location: Sydney.
- Woo is known for shooting scenes with multiple cameras at different speeds to allow for his trademark slow motion which he often used in this film when characters were introduced to each other.
- M:I-2 has significantly warmer tones than the original. Lots of oranges and reds.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Unique, independent feel from any other entrant in the series
- Strong relational connection between Ethan and Nyah with real emotion
- Great hard rock late 90s early 2000s soundtrack
- Shows Sydney at its “height” as it was preparing to host the Olympics.
- A number of beautifully lit and shot scenes
Weaknesses
- Crazy production and post-production issues lead to a choppy feel to the movie
- Cartoonish overuse of masks with no context or foundation established
- Use of Nyah for her relationship history, not skills
- The Sean Ambrose villain is overacted, underdeveloped and never given any real malice or motivation
- Motorcycle jousting….
Memorable Scenes
Recruiting Nyah in Seville
This is John Woo at his best. Use of warm fire light, Spanish guitar, and flamenco dancers transports you into the heart of Spain. Slow motion used to draw out the moment of first connection. Actors convey instant connection with the most subtle of facial expressions. It really is a masterclass in how to use all aspects of technical and visual storytelling to create an intimate moment between strangers.
Break-in at Biocyte
This is the most classically “Mission Impossible” scene in the entire movie. It has a number of aspects that have become staples in the franchise: acrobatic, aerial stunts; ‘impossible’ entry attempts, and Cruise doing his own stunts.
The impending louver closure builds the tension throughout the scene. The atrium is beautifully and subtly lit; as is the rest of the shootout scene that follows.
Facts and Tidbits
- The screen play is somewhat controversially based off of the Hitchcock classic “Notorious”
- Dougray Scott was signed on to play Wolverine in X-Men, but had to drop out when production on M:I 2 went long, opening the door for Hugh Jackman.
- In the original Oliver Stone script, it was revealed that Ethan has a photographic memory: a fact the series would revisit, but not until Mission:Impossible – Rogue Nation.
- Until recently, The M:I-2 soundtrack was the only movie soundtrack that featured an original Metallica song.
- That Metallica’s song, “I disappear”, became the impetus for the band suing Napster.
discussion video
Listen to Ryan and Rob break down M:I 2 in all its infamy.
