Why Mission: Impossible 2 is the Underrated Gem of the Franchise!

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After being released 25 years ago, John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible 2″ is frequently seen as the most contentious and possibly least favorite film in the series by many, but for me, it stands out as the standout performer of the Mission: Impossible franchise. In “Mission: Impossible 2”, Tom Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, a skilled spy for the covert IMF organization, taking on his mission to recover a lethal new virus known as Chimera. Alongside Hunt, professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton) is also introduced, with whom Hunt quickly develops feelings for. While “Mission: Impossible 2” was the highest-grossing film of the year 2000 with a massive $526 million in global earnings, its box office success does not necessarily mirror its reception following its release.

The Mission: Impossible film series has been a remarkable mainstay for almost three decades, peaking with the Memorial Day 2025 release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”. Throughout each new installment, Cruise and the franchise’s directors have crammed more action and stunts than ever before. Despite being one of the most iconic and influential modern-era theatrical action film franchises, the pivotal impact that “Mission: Impossible 2” had in establishing the series has often gone unrecognized and undervalued. Upon reflection, “Mission: Impossible 2” stands apart from the rest of the series with an unprecedented level of energy, surpassing even the strongest films in the franchise. In this writer’s opinion, it was the catalyst for Tom Cruise’s evolution into the big-screen daredevil that audiences have grown to admire.

John Woo Was Perfect To Direct a Tom Cruise-Led Mission: Impossible Movie

John Woo is undeniably one of the most influential action directors in cinema history. Action aficionados, especially those with a penchant for Hong Kong action, are well acquainted with John Woo as a pioneer of the “heroic bloodshed” genre, characterized by its dramatic gunfights and exhilarating stunts. His work in films such as “The Killer,” “Bullet in the Head,” and “Hard Boiled” has earned widespread acclaim and adoration. However, it was in the ’90s that American audiences were first introduced to his distinctive style through movies like “Hard Target,” “Broken Arrow,” and the action-packed collaboration between John Travolta and Nic Cage in “Face/Off.” Yet, despite their merits, I personally believe that “Mission: Impossible 2” surpasses them all due to several reasons, with the synergy between Woo’s direction and the Mission: Impossible franchise being one of the key factors.

As a devotee of the “Mission: Impossible” TV show, Tom Cruise aimed to convey its mystery, complex storylines, and high-octane action to today’s viewers with the level of spectacle they anticipate from summer blockbusters. Few action directors could have been as well-suited for Cruise’s vision as John Woo, the Hong Kong mastermind capable of infusing the necessary flair and intensity without breaking a sweat. However, it’s important to acknowledge the significant contributions made by Brian De Palma, J.J. Abrams, Brad Bird, and Christopher McQuarrie, each adding their unique elements that have transformed “Mission: Impossible” into the enduring blockbuster franchise it is today. Specifically, John Woo discovered a perfect Hollywood platform for his signature style in “Mission: Impossible 2,” and he delivered nothing short of exceptional work. I find it hard to understand why “Mission: Impossible 2,” released 25 years ago, has garnered such a lackluster reputation, especially among fans of the franchise and high-speed action movies that push the boundaries of drive, adrenaline, and physical prowess.

Mission: Impossible 2 Is Very Economical as an Action Movie & a Mission: Impossible Movie

The thrilling actions and stunts in the Mission: Impossible films have always been a defining feature of the series. In my opinion, none of the movies manage to harmoniously blend story, characters, action, duration, and pace as exceptionally as Mission: Impossible 2 does. A notable aspect of this is the film’s runtime of 124 minutes, which falls within typical summer blockbuster ranges. Nowadays, many tentpole films extend their running time by 30 to 45 minutes or more, and this trend towards longer runtimes for bigger stories has produced some remarkable Mission: Impossible entries (such as Mission: Impossible – Fallout, my runner-up choice for the franchise’s top spot). Conversely, Mission: Impossible 2 skillfully exploits its runtime in relation to its plot and action, and it almost seems like a science how it uses these elements.

Reframing my perspective as a die-hard fan, let me share how the breathtaking introductory sequence of Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 2 captivates me. Watching him scale cliffs fearlessly, seemingly on his annual vacation without tipping off the IMF about his whereabouts, sets the stage for an exhilarating ride. This opening scene promises a protagonist unafraid, a mysterious spy agency that relies heavily on him, and action sequences that keep you at the edge of your seat.

In less than two hours, Mission: Impossible 2 delivers on every promise made during Ethan’s introduction as a man with a mission. He’s romancing the world’s top jewel thief, executing mind-blowing physical stunts such as impressive gun-fu, masterful motorcycle control, exceptional martial arts, and an almost inexplicable lack of fear even while teetering on cliffs thousands of feet high without any safety equipment.

In essence, “Mission: Impossible 2” delivers high-octane action that never slows down, yet manages to portray Ethan Hunt as a relatable and superhuman action hero. This isn’t to say that longer run times in later Mission: Impossible films or big action movies are a mistake, but by carefully managing its runtime and story flow, “Mission: Impossible 2” offers the most value to viewers. To top it off, its impressive soundtrack featuring Limp Bizkit’s reinterpretation of the “Mission: Impossible” theme and Metallica’s “Disappear” enhances the film’s reputation as a non-stop summer spy thriller that never stops moving.

Mission: Impossible 2 Marks the True Beginning of Tom Cruise as a Stunt-Driven Action Hero

Let’s revisit the breathtaking rock-climbing scene from “Mission: Impossible 2” for a moment. Watching that movie as a child, the amazement I felt watching Ethan Hunt swing across the cliff edge to reach a more manageable part of the cliff is an experience I’ll always remember, and the impact of that sequence hasn’t faded even after 25 years. For instance, during our recent holiday season, my father was watching “Mission: Impossible 2,” and he too was spellbound by Ethan’s rock-climbing introduction, cheering and applauding when he reached the top. This is the kind of reaction that people have come to anticipate from a Tom Cruise action movie, and it’s clear that “Mission: Impossible 2” marked the beginning of Tom Cruise as the world’s most daring action hero.

Tom Cruise had previously starred in numerous action films like “Top Gun”, “Days of Thunder”, and the first “Mission: Impossible”. However, “Mission: Impossible 2” stands apart as it seems to mark a transition or a declaration from Cruise himself. This film appears to be his commitment to focusing on high-octane stunts and action sequences for the remainder of his career, and a desire to be recognized for these elements. A closer look at Cruise’s career before and after “Mission: Impossible 2” reveals that the latter is particularly notable due to Cruise’s willingness to take risks with his life and safety to deliver an exciting experience for audiences. This trend can also be seen in subsequent “Mission: Impossible” films, as well as other action-packed movies starring Cruise such as “The Last Samurai”, “Jack Reacher”, and most notably, “Top Gun: Maverick”. In these movies, Cruise immerses himself wholeheartedly in fight scenes, stunts, and potentially dangerous situations that would make him a perfect fit in the action-packed film scene popularized by John Woo.

The marketing strategy for Cruise’s filmography, including the viral video showcasing the making of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” where he hangs onto a biplane with only one hand, extends beyond just promoting an action movie. In that clip, Cruise cheerfully wishes everyone a great summer and promises to see them at the movies. “Mission: Impossible 2” not only offered exhilarating action sequences but also marked a significant milestone in Tom Cruise’s career, solidifying his reputation for performing his own increasingly daring stunts and escalating the scale of action with each installment. As Charlie Croughwell, the stunt coordinator, once remarked, “If Tom weren’t an actor, he’d be a fantastic stuntman.” This exceptional talent can be traced back to Cruise’s dedication and bravery under John Woo’s direction in “Mission: Impossible 2,” a film often underrated but deserving of the title as the best in the series, according to me.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will be released in theaters on May 23rd.

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2025-05-25 02:11