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Tom Cruise returns as intrepid Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt in this supercharged sequel directed flamboyantly by Hong Kong action specialist John Woo (The Killer). Summoned from his vacation while mountain climbing, Hunt accepts an assignment from his chief (played by Anthony Hopkins with his usual flair): apprehend rogue agent Dougray Scott before he auctions a stolen virus and its antidote to the highest bidder. After he summons agent Ving Rhames, Cruise enlists radiant Thandie Newton, a sophisticated thief and Scott's former girlfriend, in his campaign against the turncoat. Screenwriter Robert Towne coats this rough-edged adventure with a sheen of sophistication, particularly apparent in the seductive byplay between Cruise and Newton. But the picture's punch comes from Woo's inspired handling of the high-octane chases and fights, in which Cruise proves himself surprisingly capable. A bracing shot of pure entertainment, Mission: Impossible 2 is a more-than-worthy successor to Brian De Palma's 1996 Mission: Impossible. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Director John Woo brings Hong Kong-style martial arts action to this comic book-flavored Mission: Impossible that eschews the complicated plot and political maneuverings of its predecessor in favor of pure, adrenaline-charged thrills. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, an operative for the top-secret government agency IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Fellow agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) has gone rogue, stealing a sample of a deadly synthetic virus named Chimera that could rapidly wipe out the world's population. Ambrose's plan is to sell Chimera to the highest bidder in exchange for shares of stock in the winner's company. Summoned by the new IMF chief (Anthony Hopkins in an uncredited cameo role), Ethan is assigned to recruit the help of Ambrose's former lover Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton), a gorgeous woman who left Ambrose broken-hearted and who may be able to quickly regain his confidence. Once he meets and spends a night with Nyah, however, Ethan is smitten, and now must both capture Ambrose and keep Nyah alive as she infiltrates a nest of vipers. Sophisticated disguises, gun battles, and high-speed chases are the order of the day, very much in the James Bond mold. Mission: Impossible 2 is based on a story by Star Trek: The Next Generation writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga, with a script polish by Robert Towne. Karl Williams

Product Details

• UPC: 097361199245
• Source: PARAMOUNT
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 2:03:00
• Sales Rank: 33,797

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Mission: Impossible - Ultimate Missions Collection
• Mission: Impossible / Mission: Impossible II

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