First off, it must be noted
that John Woo's films have never done much to get my blood racing. His main-stream films,
Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Hard Target, are average at best and when it was first
announced that he was to direct the follow up to the excellent Mission:Impossible, shivers
were sent down my spine. Woo's films rely more on over-the-top action sequences then a
solid story and his use of constant slow motion shots is often cringe inducing.
Surely he could not direct a Mission: Impossible film and not
overload it with well choreographed action sequences. Surely he couldn't make M:I-2 a
straight out action movie and make it a better film then the original, which was more of a
thriller.
Well folks, I was wrong.
Woo has produced a film that is fast, exciting and unbelievably
cool. The trademark Woo action is still present, but we are not bombarded with it and as a
result, the solid storyline is allowed to flow. M:I-2 is never slow and when the action
sequences are brought out, they are magnificent to watch.
This time around, super-spy Ethan Hunt (played again by the ever
dependable Tom Cruise) must stop the release of a deadly virus by a disgruntled former
colleague. The job is made more difficult when he falls in love with the woman he needs to
send in to liaison with the villain. Most of the action takes place in Sydney and anyone
forgetting this, is reminded by the numerous shots of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Having the film set so close to home does add a little bit of extra charm.
M:I-2 is a totally different film to it's predecessor. It relies far
more on action and as a result is a lot pacier. The story is not as complicated as the
original, something that may please people who found the original a little hard to follow.
As a result you don’t have to think much about the plot and instead can sit back and
enjoy what is a immensely watchable film.
Woo’s direction is stylish and whilst the slow motion shots are
still present, they are used, for the most part, at appropriate times and in no way do
they halt the movies' momentum.
The action sequences are totally unbelievable, but great fun to
watch. Numerous times the characters pull off stunts that are near on impossible in real
life, but they look so good that it will not bother you.
Of the actors, Dougray Scott is the stand out as the villain intent
on making a fortune by releasing a deadly virus and then selling the cure. He doesn’t
overplay his role and as a result comes across almost as cool as our hero, Ethan Hunt.
Cruise is, as always, very good and Thandie Newton is solid as a professional thief
(although this aspect of her life is never really explored) who becomes Hunt’s love
interest.
Australian actor Richard Roxburgh pops up in a supporting role but
strangely has to put on what seems to be a South African accent. Maybe the film-makers
think that South Africans are more believable as villains then Australians. Anyone
familiar with the recent Hansie Cronje scandal will no doubt support this theory.
Don’t go to see M:I-2 expecting a spy thriller with a water
tight plot. If you want that, rent the original Mission Impossible on video. M:I-2 is a
action movie, pure and simple, and despite my initial reservations of the presence of
director Woo, his direction is nothing short of brilliant.
The result is an action packed thrill ride (sounds a bit like a
promo-line, doesn't it) that may not win any Oscars, but is what going to the cinemas is
all about... having fun.
