Mission: Impossible 2is widely regarded as the worst of Tom Cruise’s beloved action franchise, but I’m not convinced that the film is quite as bad as most people claim. The sequel picks up shortly after the first film’s conclusion, with Ethan Hunt getting called back early from his vacation to reclaim a dangerous bio-weapon that’s fallen into the hands of an ex-IMF agent named Sean Ambrose. The film features some ofTom Cruise’s most dangerousMission: Impossiblestunts ever, and an endearing focus on action and fight sequences that clearly separates it from the original.
Unfortunately,Mission: Impossible 2was met with a fairly mixed reception upon release, and in the years since, the franchise has attempted to distance itself from the bold, stylish filmmaking that John Woo displayed here. Instead,the films have ditched the warm color palette and melodramatic storytellingfor a brighter, more character-driven story about friendship and sacrifice in the world of espionage. However, this sequel remains one of themost rewatchableMission: Impossibleprojectsthanks to its hilariously over-the-top action and grounded romantic subplot that’s missing from some of the more big-budget sequels.
Why So Many People Don’t Like Mission: Impossible 2
There Are Definitely Flaws In This Bold Action Sequel
To set the record straight:Mission: Impossible 2isn’t aneasymovie to love. There are plenty of flaws in the story, and compared with the other entries in the franchise, it’s a lot messier and less memorable when it comes to its characters and the dynamics between them. It’s often considered theworst of theMission: Impossiblemoviesbecause of just how silly and melodramatic it can be, and that’s definitely true -some of John Woo’s filmmaking decisions are really hard to understand, and they often undercut the more serious aspects of the story.
It’s a very high-stakes narrative of chemical warfare and international politics, butMission: Impossible 2can often make these tensions seem trivial with its slow-motion shootouts and choppy editing. For those looking to fully immerse themselves in an engaging story with unpredictable twists and complex characters, this probably isn’t the sequel to jump straight into.Films likeRogue NationandGhost Protocolare much easier to appreciate, but there’s something about the ambitious filmmaking and unadulterated style ofMission: Impossible 2that’s impossible not to at least appreciate.
Mission: Impossible 2 Works Because It’s Purely A John Woo Movie
John Woo Has Some Serious Style Behind The Camera
Before Christopher McQuarrie took over theMission: Impossiblefranchise withRogue Nationin 2015, the series had been jumping between directors with each passing sequel. Acclaimed filmmakers likeBrian De Palma, JJ Abrams, and Brad Birdall tried their hands at the series, and they all did a great job of blending their own personal styles with the ongoing tone ofMission: Impossibleas a whole. However, the second movie stands out because of how shamelessly John Woo leaves his own trademark on this project, breaking away from the gritty realism of the first movie for something more sensationalized.
The slow-motion fight sequences and absurd motorcycle chases are often cited as reasonsnotto enjoy this bold sequel, but I’m convinced they’re actually the strongest part of the movie.
The slow-motion fight sequences and absurd motorcycle chases are often cited as reasonsnotto enjoy this bold sequel, but I’m convinced they’re actually the strongest part of the movie. Despiterumors that Tom Cruise oversaw the editing ofMission: Impossible 2himself, Woo has since clarified that he had a very singular vision for this sequel that Cruise and his production company respected - and it’s overwhelmingly evident in the final cut. It’s the visuals that separate this sequel from the rest, and even if they’re undeniably dated, it’s better to be overambitious than not bold enough.
Mission: Impossible 2’s Stunts & Action Sequences Are A Highlight
The Final Act Houses Some Of Mission: Impossible’s Wildest Stunts
The story ofMission: Impossible 2is undeniably weak in comparison to the rest of the franchise - there aren’t many shocking twists, the entire plot hinges on a shameless MacGuffin in the “Chimera” virus, and Sean Ambrose is far from the series’ most compelling villain. However, when it comes to the stunt work and the extended action sequences,there aren’t many otherMission: Impossiblemovies that come close. Whether it’s the final-act motorcycle chase or the opening mountaineering, there are so many memorable stunts inMission: Impossible 2that are enhanced by John Woo’s unique visual style.
Even the smaller moments, such as Ethan Hunt sliding across the floor or catching a weapon in his hands, are made infinitely more compelling by the camera tricks and editing illusions that Woo manages to create. During his scuffle with Ambrose inMission: Impossible 2’s ending, there’s a moment in which Ethan Hunt rides his motorcycle across a flaming bridge that would have been cool enough under any other director, but John Woo manages to capture it from such a unique angle, with an unconventional color palette, in gruelling slow motion, making it one of the film’s most iconic images.
Mission: Impossible 2 Laid The Groundwork For The Franchise’s Evolution
The Series Became Totally Different Thanks To Mission: Impossible 2
Ultimately,Mission: Impossible 2may not be the most palatable or conventional movie in the franchise, but it set the stage for everything that was to come. It set the precedent forMission: Impossibleto be a franchise where auteur directors could leave their own mark, which consequently led to JJ Abrams’ action-heavyMission: Impossible 3and Brad Bird’s more personal, plot-drivenMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.That would never have happened if De Palma had returned, or if Woo’s replacement had merely tried to mimic the original movie’s visual style.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningreleases on July 10, 2025.
The stunts inMission: Impossible 2also helped develop the franchise into something very different from De Palma’s original movie. While the first instalment was a very grounded thriller that focused on politics and character motivations above all else,Woo’s sequel proved that heavy action and daring stunts are where this series thrives.
This is something that Brad Bird continued with his ambitious Burj Khalifa stunt inGhost Protocol, and it’s how Cruise and McQuarrie have continued to market the franchise all the way untilThe Final Reckoning. This all started withMission: Impossible 2; even if it’s a very flawed project, it’s one that deserves a second (or third) chance.
