Reviewed by CJ and Will

Synopsis: Tom Cruise reprises his role as the invincible super agent, Ethan Hunt. In this latest film, Cruise goes head-to-head with a rogue spy with plans on releasing a super germ on an unsuspecting world. Directed by John Woo, it features truly impossible stunts and explosions.

C.J.: I was disappointed with this film. Right out, I’m not a fan of John Woo’s style.This movie had so many slow motion scenes, it drove me nuts.

Will: [In serious voice] Your mission Will Hunt, should you choose to accept it, is to appear in a movie that is not only somewhat believable, but fun to watch!

C.J.: This movie was fun to watch, Will. It just was impossible to believe. Crappy plot, and it took it self way too seriously, but the stunts were out of this world. You have to at least concede that.

Will: Haven’t I seen this plot before? Superspy vs. rogue superspy - can you say Golden Eye?

C.J.: That’s bullshit. I don’t think the plot has to be 100% original. That’s pretty tough to do, but this time around the plot didn’t have as many twists and turns as the original Mission: Impossible. I had to watch that movie several times to pick everything up. That’s why I liked it.

I just felt like the plot in M:I2 was just an excuse to string together some explosions...

Will: Well, of course it can’t be 100% original! It came from Hollywood. I wasn’t a big fan of the first movie. It was just an excuse to make a movie. They took a popular 70’s show and figured the numbers were favorable. But, yeah, the stunts were pretty cool.

C.J.: I loved the opening scene, where he’s hanging from a cliff. Kind of let you in on what a super spy does on his day off!

Will: The rockface scene did kick ass. The cinematography was awesome. From there on in, the film took a swan dive off the cliff. I couldn’t stand the villain at all -- his character to me just wasn’t appealing. He didn’t have much depth at all.

C.J.: I think Cruise pulled his role off very well, though. His Ethan Hunt is super cool, relaxed -- the way a spy should be. But the film, and I’ll say it again, took itself too seriously. Maybe it’s the slow-motion scenes coupled with the church music, I dunno. I liked the James Bond films because they had a sense of humor, and witty side to them. And it just gets tiresome to constantly see the scene suddenly slow down all the time. Woo should have used the slo-mo more carefully.

Will: I agree with you. Ethan Hunt got a great face lift from the old TV show (no pun intended). But how the hell does he make a face mask to impersonate one of the villains, without his tech gadgets?

C.J.: That didn’t bother me so much. But this installment in the series was much lighter on the high-tech gadgets we saw last time. And we don’t actually ever get to see Cruise use a "facemaker" (to those of you unfamiliar with the device - it allows someone to create a perfect mask of someone else’s face). Nifty gadget, but we never see it. So to my girlfriend, Cruise was just pulling off masks every now and then - no explanation! Oh! Will, what about Cruise’s battle yell!

Will: Before we get to that, I have one more point to make.

C.J.: Ok, Ok.

Will: I couldn’t have cared less about the female lead. Her role was pointless. I don’t think she was needed.

C.J.: [In disbelief]

Will: Why don’t you agree with me just this once! She’s just another pretty face on the screen.

C.J.: Did you see her body, Will? She’s a turbo-babe! She stays. Leave her alone. Every super spy movie has a hot woman. It’s part of the formula! She has to be there, and frankly, I have no problem with it. She’s just more eye candy. Just like the explosions, the gadgets, everything.

But I digress. I was talking about Cruise’s little battle yell in the film. He’s no Ah-nold.

At one point in the film, he gives this, well, was it a shout or a grunt or what?

Will: It was a yelp.

C.J.: Exactly! I lost it at that point. I instantly was reminded that Cruise is only about 4 feet tall.

It was a girly yelp. Anyway, look for it if you should somehow get trapped in this film. On with the ratings!

More reviews by Will and CJ please!

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Last updated: June 29, 2000.