When Brian DePalma's first feature film of the long-running TV series, "Mission Impossible" first came out in 1996 critics complained about an "impenetrable"plot.But it was big box office hit, anyhow.
In "Mission Impossible 2,"or "M:I-2," Director John Woo has the plot right there for all to see. The only problems seem to be too much plot, derived plot that is. Whether it's supposed to be obvious is the problem, according to critics.
Woo has woven scenes from past movies into the film, ironic or not. He directs citations to John Ford and The Third man, according to one reviewer, along with a motorcycle chase that morphs into a Western horseback ride, reminiscent of Mel Brooks.
No matter, with Tom Cruise at the helm as MI agent Ethan Hunt, things get moving. An Australian pharmaceutical company has developed a virulent virus called Chimera which can kill millions almost instantly. The virus has been seized by rogue agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), who is demanding big bucks for its return, (in fact, in a novel touch, he has demanded stock options).
Hunt's job: get him. Hunt is given a gorgeous jewel thief Nyah Nordhoff-Hall (Thandie Newton)
to assist him, using Ambrose's affection for Nyah as fuel. Cruise reportedly performed many of his own stunts in the movie, including the acting, which according to some, should have been left to someone else. Nonetheless, with Woo's direction and Cruise's charisma, what can you lose?
It is rated PG-13 for excessive violence and some sensuality. It starts Thursday at Market Square East and Cinema One.
