Plot: What’s it about?
Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) used to be an IMF agent and fight on the side of good, but now he has chosen the darker path and wishes to steal an item called Chimera. Once he has this Chimera, he plans to sell it and make a massive fortune in the process. As it turns out, Chimera is a terrible virus and while it is lethal, an antidote does exist. Ambrose happens to have that antidote and the virus, so he feels he can charge a premium when he sells them to a drug corporation. He also plans to create a demand for the antidote by releasing the virus in a populated area, but not if IMF can step in and stop him. IMF calls upon Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) to assemble a team and thwart Ambrose, but he must include Nyah (Thandie Newton), a former girlfriend of Ambrose. So Hunt tracks down Nyah and after an intense first encounter, the two find themselves on more than a professional level. So when Nyah must return to Ambrose’s side for the mission, it tears Hunt apart and makes it very hard for him. With the transaction looming in the near future, can Ethan and Nyah stop Ambrose and his crew of lackey before they unleash Chimera?
This film was a powerhouse at the box office, but took a beating in terms of reviews. I am unsure why that is, but I suppose we’re all entitled to our own opinions. The film was a total blockbuster though and took home the honors of the year’s highest grossing motion picture, so a whole lot of people must have liked it. Mission: Impossible 2 takes aim on the action genre with two goals in mind, both of which are vital to the genre, if you ask. The aim of director John Woo and actor/producer Tom Cruise seems to be to create a film that is a wild ride and make it look as good as possible. This movie never tries to be an intellectual thriller and after all, it is an action movie and as that, I feel it is the best American action flick to date. Woo is the master of action and this film more than proves that, loaded with high energy sequences and a breathtaking visual spark. Sure, the storyline is not unique and you have to suspend disbelief, but if you complain about those elements in an action film, you need to check your pulse. I think the storyline carries well throughout the film and while you do have to suspend disbelief, isn’t that the point of this genre? Ever seen Armageddon? Face/Off? The Rock? The genre demands a certain level of checking your brain in at the door, because it is geared toward the ears and eyes. Is Mission: Impossible 2 an all time classic? No, but it is the finest example of an action movie we’ve had come from the United States, which is good enough for me. I give the film and disc a high recommendation, but since so much stink is raised about the movie, perhaps a rental is in order for most.
At the helm of Mission: Impossible 2 is master action director John Woo, who once again delivers a high octane film that is a feast for the eyes. Yes, Woo does place emphasis on how the action looks and feels over the storyline, but in this genre, that is the standard. Woo loads this movie with all types of action also, not just his trademark gun battles and such. Yes, we see a lot of guns and some outstanding sequences with them, but this one is quite varied in the action department. Within the film is a car chase, motorcycle chase, hand to hand combat, close calls, a jewel heist, terrorist takeover, you name it and this movie has it. And while you do need to suspend disbelief, this is called for no more than most action movies and as such, is more than acceptable. Yes, the film plays more like a James Bond flick at times, but Woo still delivers the goods in spades and adds another blockbuster to his resume. Woo also directed such films as Hard Boiled, Face/Off, The Killer, Heroes Shed No Tears, and Hard Target. Tom Cruise (Days of Thunder, Rain Man) reprises his role of Ethan Hunt here and turns in a more than solid performance, even earning some respect for a few pieces of stuntwork. The rest of the cast includes Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction, Mission: Impossible), John Polson (Sirens, Dangerous Game), Dougray Scott (Ever After, Princess Caraboo), Richard Roxburgh (The Last September), and Thandie Newton (Besieged, Interview With The Vampire).
Video: How does it look?
Mission: Impossible 2 is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This is a reference level transfer in technical terms, while the dazzling visuals make it a perfect choice to showcase your system. I saw no flaws in the least with this presentation, the print was clean and no evidence of compression troubles surface at all. The colors look rich and bold, but never smear or bleed and flesh tones retain a warm, natural appearance. No problems with the black levels either, contrast is well balanced and detail level is high & consistent. This is a fantastic visual presentation, which a visual feast like this film very much deserves.
Audio: How does it sound?
I figured the included Dolby Digital 5.1 option would be good and it is, but it wasn’t the surge of audio dynamite I expected. The surrounds see a lot of action to be sure, but they’re not as intense as I would like, which lowers the impact a little. This is true in the non action sequences for the most part, such as the musical score and normal dialogue scenes. These elements just seem too low key at times, when some dynamic audio might have kicked it up a couple notches. When the action arrives though, this track earns the paycheck and provides a spectacular experience. Again, I wish the lower key scenes were more active, but in the end this is a very good audio option. The disc also includes French 2.0 surround track and English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc isn’t labeled as a special edition, but it is packed with supplements, including an audio commentary by director John Woo. Woo has a lot to say about the production and film, which means few silent spaces and a lot of information can be found here. His English is pretty good in this track, but a few times he is a little hard to understand. If you’re a fan of his films, this is a track you won’t want to miss, trust me. A brief five minute featurette (Mission: Incredible) details some of the stunts shown in the film and while brief, is worth a look in the end. If that didn’t give you enough insight into the film’s stunts, how about eleven more short featurettes, each of which focus on a specific stunt? Again, these are brief, but very informative and well worth the time to check out. Another featurette is also included, which runs about fifteen minutes and offers an overall behind the scenes type approach. This is more fluff than not, but the interviews were interesting and I am glad it was included here. A hilarious sketch titled Mission: Improbable, which features Ben Stiller is also contained on this disc, great stuff as Stiller plays Cruise’s stunt double. The disc also houses a music video and some DVD ROM content, but no theatrical trailer.
