Mission: Impossible II, or M:I-2 as it is also known, is the 2000 John Woo-directed sequel to Brian De Palma's 1996 Mission: Impossible motion picture, based on the TV series of the same name.
The film combined James Bond-style espionage action (in contrast to the last film and TV series) with John Woo's visual flair, including his trademark slow-motion, double fisted pistol shootouts and white doves appearing before combat. However, the limiting PG-13 rating applied to the film meant that the final picture was considerably toned down in violence from his past works.
Production of the film was troubled and was shut down for several weeks as the script was re-worked. As a result both Dougray Scott and Thandie Newton lost the chance to appear in starring roles in other films.
The film was a financial hit and grossed close to $220 million in its domestic American release.
Mission: Impossible 2, directed by John Woo (Face/Off) and written by Robert Towne, explores the action genre by exploiting the stylization of violence.
Characterized by a hyperrealistic aesthetic, Mission: Impossible 2 displays carefully choreographed chase scenes and sophisticated acrobatics à-la-Matrix (often shot in slow-motion, although not by freezing and rotating the image), between protagonist and antagonist.
All in all, Mission: Impossible 2 suffers from the imbalance produced by excessive action and little drama, and by the predictability of a plot that exists merely to exhibit the magnificence of its hero.
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