Common Sense Media Review
Thrilling action movie has some startling violence.
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Mission: Impossible 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 45 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features intense action, but it struggles with a complex plot, excessive romance, and violence, making it less suitable for younger viewers despite some praising its thrilling moments. While some find it entertaining, many believe it falls short of the first installment in the franchise, criticizing its representation, pacing, and reliance on slow-motion effects.
- intense action
- complex plot
- excessive romance
- less suitable for kids
- falls short
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2, agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has to retrieve the secret formula to a virus that could destroy humankind. Hunt's task won't be easy—the virus has been stolen by his former colleague Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), who knows all his tricks. As Hunt's boss (Anthony Hopkins) says, "It's not Mission Difficult; it's Mission Impossible." Hunt must persuade his love interest (and jewel thief) Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) to get romantically involved with her ex-flame, Ambrose, in order to get close to both the virus and the antidote.
Is It Any Good?
This is the essence of a summer movie: gorgeous stars, sensational stunts, nerve-wracking chases, steamy romance, "gotcha" plot twists, and lots of explosions. The first film in the series was a huge success, but some viewers thought that the real mission impossible was trying to understand the plot; with Mission: Impossible 2, director John Woo makes it simple, so viewers can just sit back and enjoy. In the cast, Ving Rhames returns as the world's least geeky computer genius, but aside from a couple of impeccably delivered lines, he never gets a chance to show us what he can do. Hunt is more like loner James Bond than he is like MI's Jim Phelps. And in this testosterone-heavy movie, there's only one woman, and her role is centered on her sexuality and men making sexist comments about her.
Woo's trademarks are all here: the hero sliding across the floor in slow motion, firing two guns at once; the balletic combat; the villain's streak of sadism; and an engaging willingness to spoof his own conventions. Unfortunately, the movie leaves out the best part of the original Mission: Impossible concept, back in the days of the TV show: teamwork. It was always fun to see how the special expertise of each MI team member was going to come in handy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes an action movie like Mission: Impossible 2 good. Is it the special effects? The acting? The story? Why do some action movies stand the test of time while others don't?
What role does violence play in the film? Does its glossy nature distract from the brutality on the screen? Is it glamorized? Do different types of movie violence have different impact on kids?
In what ways is Nyah capable and caring? How is she treated by the men she works with?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 24, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : November 7, 2000
- Cast : Dougray Scott , Thandiwe Newton , Tom Cruise
- Director : John Woo
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Chinese Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violent action and some sensuality
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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