Mission: Impossible 2 has the same franchise name as Brian DePalma’s techno-thriller, and the same main character, but otherwise they have absolutely no relation.  Where the first film relied on a labyrinthine plot twists and gadgets, the new film, directed by John Woo (Face Off) is much more sensual.   It is hands on.  They don’t worry so much about plot, they just worry about action.  It is hot where the original was cold. 

M:I2 features some awesome action sequences (although, frankly, Woo’s constant slowing and speeding up of the action got really tiring after a while.)   Mission Impossible 2 is undeniably a very capable action film.  It does beg the question though, does the world really need one of its biggest superstars (Tom Cruise) and some of its most talented actors (Sir Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Ving Rhames, Dougray Scott) in an above-average Jackie Chan movie? (6/00)