Mission: Impossible II (2000) - Full Reaction

Limp bizkit's 'Take a look around' is probably the best movie-based song and the biggest hit in 2000.

ExploreWinnipeg

The problem with this movie is style over substance. John Woo is a great director and knows how to do action but I feel like he wasn't the best choice to do a M:I film. Yes action in these movies is great but this was like MTV was trying to make an action movie it didn't really work. M:I:3 is where this series finds its true self and we actually start to get a character in Ethan Hunt that carries over the next few films.

The problem with this movie is style over substance. John Woo is a great director and knows how to do action but I feel like he wasn't the best choice to do a M:I film. Yes action in these movies is great but this was like MTV was trying to make an action movie it didn't really work. M:I:3 is where this series finds its true self and we actually start to get a character in Ethan Hunt that carries over the next few films.

3rd one is good!!!! (My opinion :/) I agree 2 was iffy. I was thinking 2 was 3 in-till seeing the reaction.

Michael J

Speaking of Alias, JJ Abrams directs the 3rd Mission Impossible. There’s a love story as well ladies!

John Rando

I think Cassie and Carly’s reaction made this film more palatable. I’m a fan of most of Cruise’s movies, but I never loved this one. Oh, Thandie Newton in that dress does help a little too.

Andrew Hogan

As a true showcase of director John Woo"s talent, may I suggest Hard Boiled (1992), nothing too deep intellectually but one of the greatest gunplay-shoot them ups action movie ever made, with complex practical non CGI effects, pure action and some beautifully composed shots! Slow mo's, doves, explosions, Chow Yun Fat on a rampage, everything but the kitchen's sink, will leave your jaw on the floor...

Marc Levesque

Well, some of us thought it was gimmicky and cheesy back then too. :-) I wouldn't call it a "bad" movie necessarily. Just an incredibly dumb one. The characters are idiots, the dialogue is eye-rollingly cringeworthy and the story/plot is so overly simplistic (probably in response to the complaints that the first one was too complicated) it becomes stupid.... in addition to being an almost shameless carbon copy of Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS (it's quite obvious the story was contrived as the clothesline upon which to hang the action scenes), but those aren't really the reasons to watch the movie. It's certainly a stylish roller coaster ride with stunt work that is spectacular (if a bit incompetently edited at times), so it's still enjoyable in that kind of mind-numbing "turn off your brain and just have fun" way.

Stick Figure Studios

Mission Impossible 2 wasn't a bad movie. Especially when it came out, it was very much an example of late '90s action movies right down to being directed by John Woo who directed face off. John Woo has his own style and his style just doesn't age well in retrospect. At the time the dove flying through the fire was a great visual but now you just look back and it's cheesy as all get out. The whole thing just comes across as very gimmicky but only because we have gotten so used to substance. Now from 3 on, those movies age a lot better and they're just overall a great combination of story and action.

Steve Sanders

When she had the yellow trim of the blanket at her waist it almost looked like a Wonder Woman outfit.

Shawn Kildal

“It’s gone into his retina. Just kidding.” Classic. One question, Cassie. Did you guys ever get to see the Lights! Motors! Action! stunt show at Disney? Feels like you would have been a fan. We sure were.

Jason Chirevas

"Why isn't there a code word?" Because that would be smart and the people in this movie have to be dumb for the story to work.

Stick Figure Studios

That was a fun reaction! Great to see Carly back! Never really heard of a gum graft before, but it sounds pretty painful. Get well soon Carly! I hope the graft takes and you heal quickly. And you’ll be back laughing and smiling pain free in no time. Heck, I’d even take one of your trademark yawns! 😉 As far as the movie goes, not my favorite Mission Impossible movie. Even though I am a fan of the director John Woo. I feel like he was a bit of a mismatch with this franchise. As you guys mentioned in the outro. The movie was more action than intrigue. I think the 3rd installment will be more to your liking. So I look forward to that. I do wish they weren’t spread so far apart though. But I understand you have a lot of movies you have to get through. Anyways, enjoyed the reaction! P.S. Love the “I carried a watermelon” T-shirt! 😂

Robert da Spruce

"Enjoyed the movie alot more with the reaction" is exactly how I feel about a lot of movies I've already seen. Great movies even better "shared" and so-so movies made enjoyable again by just watching Carly and Cassie react. Very few movies I won't watch or re-watch with Popcorn in Bed.

Anthony Perez

Sir Anthony Hopkins and the lovely Thandie Newton star together in the HBO TV series Westworld. Cassie, you might also recognize Sean Ambrose (played by Dougray Scott) from the movie EVER AFTER with Drew Barrymore. He was the love interest

Shawn Kildal

Since Carly is in the mist of ALIAS, she'll be excited to know the creator of the show is the director for the next movie. J.J. Abrams. Actually, an actor of two from show will also make appearances in it

Shawn Kildal

I was thinking Notorious too! Same premise. We need some Cary Grant movies here

Shawn Kildal

46 words... keep it under 20 please.

Jeff Milcheck

Now we get to the really, really good Mission Impossible movies! Let the Phillip Seymour Houffman countdown begin!

Shawn Kildal

It is so fun watching both of you both when reacting to a movie that one can tell you are sisters. I do believe that you would like Reds with so many stars in it - spies action fun - think you should ask if anyone else agrees

JarHead0351

They use substitute profanity all the time. I think it's illegal to swear in Utah. I mean, no jail time, but probably a big fine.

Patrick Flanagan

I remember laughing out loud at the dove scene when I watched this in the theater.

Patrick Flanagan

My word I can't keep up I've been so busy lately. Thank you for all the awesome content, I was just about to watch Patriot Games which is a favorite but now the lesser (still fun) MI2 but with Carly as well?! Tough choice folks. lol but really you guys are awesome, thank you.

Erik Daniel

What a bizarre comment... Some people like talking about film. It’s a shame that annoys you, but since it clearly does, why are you even here commenting if you don’t like discussing film!?!?

Jeff Milcheck

WOW some people are long winded when they comment - shame it couldn't be limited to 20 words, like who actually reads the long/pages completely. nice you are doing the Missions Imposibles movies

JarHead0351

This movie drove me crazy because of John Woo. His directing style is so cheesy and cringy at times.

Johnny

Oh and regarding the film. Definitely my least favorite of the series. John Woo’s (who was a seriously nice guy) style is just a little too dated to the 90’s. All those slow mo shots, and the doves! Oh my enough with the doves!

Jeff Milcheck

Fun little personal tidbit about this film... In the late 90’s early 2000’s I did some work in film. mostly as a Set Production Assistant and occasionally and AD or Art Department. And I worked as a Set PA on this film for a few days. Filming was mostly finished but I was hired for some reshoots for the car chase scene in the mountains. As a PA my main job was to stop anyone driving from base camp onto the road they shooting on after the 1st AD yelled “rolling” over the walk-in-talkie. Well, during one take while they were shooting with the stunt drivers, the Ad yelled “action” and I basically just positioned myself to stop anyone from passing. And then a black car with tinted windows pulls up wanting to drive past. I told the driver he’d have to wait as we were shooting, and the driver seemed fine with that, but then the window in the back rolls down. And who is it? Tom Cruise who proceeded to scream at me and told me to get the fuck outta the way. At one point even did the “you know who I am line”... I kept saying it wasn’t safe and to please hold up and Tom screamed at his driver to just go which the driver did.... long story short all hell breaks loose on the radio and I’m being screamed at by the 1st AD for letting a car thru.. he then reliazed it was Tom who passed thru, and I wasn’t on set when he drove thru the shot, but I later heard Tom got reamed at from the AD saying “”he could have got someone killed! I don’t care who you are!” Etc..... the next day during breakfast Tom actually came up to me apologized and shook my hand....Not sure what was going on and why he was in such a hurry to get out of there but I appreciated the apology...... anyways, that’s my Tom Cruise story... 😎

Jeff Milcheck

Loved the reaction. Enjoyed the movie alot more with the reaction than I have since I orginally saw it. Only other thing I want to say is Tom Cruise is known for his running but also the motorcycle chases and stunts in them. Just had to get that off my chest. 😂😜

David Freese

Guess I'll be growing a mustache.

Lyle Morgan

I think the reason I rank it lower than the rest is I think the face misdirect is a bit overused lol- still alotta fun but by the 3rd one I'm like "c'mon!"

LMrcs

Can't wait for you guys to see the next one! Also Cassie's "Shots fired" made me lol

Jyn Jilly

The only one I've seen in theater. 16 year old me loved it. It didn't work that well a couple of years later when I was rewatching the first two before MI3. I did remember this wasn't really good but forgot why since then. So over-stylized, so many unnecessary slow motion shots and the pacing is just so off IMO. Also, they so overused the mask twist that you can no longer take it seriously. But it seems Cassie and Carly were entertained and it was a fun reaction. Cassie, may I presume you don't handle heights very well? Same here, getting anxiety even just watching people do stuff like this. But I just have to mention a movie here that was a thrilling experience regardless: The Walk (2015).

Gábor Árki

The knife in the eye stunt is nuts. Sometimes I wonder if Cruise legit has a death wish.

Stick Figure Studios

Had a ton of fun re-visiting this one with you two. Once again, I feel like Carly was on top of things, guessing multiple plot points before they happened! There are plenty of stunts in the movie that are more "spectacular," but one real stunt that Cruise did here was the knife-in-the-eye shot. They built a little contraption with a knife attached to a wire that could withstand hundreds of pounds of force that would stop the knife above his eye, and then they had Scott lunge at Cruise like he does in the movie. I believe Cruise insisted that Scott put his full weight into it. As others have said, I agree that other movies are a better indication of Woo's style, but I am not sure how much you'd enjoy the Hong Kong stuff that made him famous because it's really wall-to-wall gunfights. If you were ever going to watch another Woo movie on the channel, my guess is Face/Off with John Travolta and Nicolas Cage makes the most sense. I will also add that if you want to stagger the Mission: Impossible movies a little less, like every two weeks...I certainly won't complain! ;)

Tyler Foster

Woo is a vocal fan of Notorious and talks about how that was all intentional in the interviews.

Tyler Foster

Would really love to watch y'all see a real John Woo movie, like Hard Boiled or The Killer. They're really unique and genre-changing action movies, but also have high emotions and a big focus on character's relationships.

That one guy

Can’t wait for MI 3. Now things really get good!

JC762

This is the worst one, imo, but if you like it then you will really like 3 onwards when it really picks up. The trailer for the new one looks great and brings back Kitridge from the first movie.

Trembling Colors

I guess the main problem with it, is that it’s a fine John Woo movie but it makes no sense as a Mission Impossible movie. Stands out like a sore thumb.

Mr Trick

Two things. At the end when he jumps and does that final kick to knock out Ambrose you went and said what is that flying? I guess you thought it was teeth. It was sand. They were fighting in the sand, so when he kicked him that was Sam coming off of his boots. Also in the motorcycle chase seen when Tom hops off and is ducking on the other side of the motorcycle with his feet on the concrete and you said is that even possible? It is because in real life time was wearing special shoes with metal bottoms so he can slide on the concrete easier. Just assume that every action stunt you see in his movies it's really him doing it.

Michael Lynch

Well I have to 100% disagree with you girls on the hair. I think Tom looks his sexiest when he has long hair. But to each his own. And I have to ask what in the world fetch? I only know that as in go fetch the door. Must be slang I’m not use to. I know Carly’s using it in place of the f bomb but I can’t stop laughing every time she says it. I just go what? Anyway love this franchise and Tom is incredible in all of them. So Cassie I have to ask? Know that you’ve watched 7 Tom cruise movies are you officially over your Tom cruise bias? I sure hope so cause he’s one hell of an actor. Personal life aside of course he’s great at what he does. You still have many more great Tom cruise movies to watch in the future. Not a lot of romance or love I’m in the rest of the franchise which I personally love. Romance is overdone in films in my opinion. Not a fan of romcoms or love stories. I’m so glad you liked the movie but they only get better from here on out. Can’t wait for the next one.

brooke atkins

Cassie, here's a 6 minute behind the scenes video on MI: 2 that you're going to want to watch. https://youtu.be/QAHEsDoRFlk

David Crabtree

I remember Metallica doing the song for this. I remember Lars Ulrich saying they had been asked many times before to pen a song for a movie but they always refused. But when it came to Mission: Impossible, Tom Cruise and John Woo they couldn’t say no. I always found that hilarious.

Wes Stewart

whoops i’m reply to Jason’s post

Cassie

yes! ever after!!! that’s where i recognize him from, so crazy that the role they are playing can either make the actor attractive/unattractive hahs

Cassie

watch with us!!0

Cassie

i always thought it was mean/sad haha they didn’t let the same director do all of them but this works i think because you get the same theme with small changes of style and stuff, it’s cool to see that someone who did disney animations comes to MI! can’t wait for more!

Cassie

that is crazy to imagine!!

Cassie

M:I2 works much better as a Bond film or a modern remake of Hitchcock's ""Notorious" than a Mission: Impossible film. But loved it when it came out, and still love it now (just in a different way). The cheese factor of it gets more and more endearing as years pass.

Xander Lee

Wow… I hadn’t seen this movie since it came out and I only remembered 3 things before watching the reaction: 1) The villain in this one is Dougray Scott who played Drew Barrymore’s love interest in “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” 2) The motorcycle wheelie on the front tire and then spinning around 3) Tom’s slo-mo walk past the doorway with the flames That was all, but as the movie progressed, I remembered more and more. I can’t believe I’d forgotten the rock climbing at the beginning. Now, I remember seeing that in the theater on the big screen and the entire audience cringing every time it looked like he was gonna fall. Cassie, when Billy said “He’s meeting with a bloke with ginger hair” you and Carly asked what that meant. Bloke is an Australian and English term for “man” and by the way that other villain who Sean was trying to sell the virus to is Brenden Gleeson, who played Mad Eye Moody in Harry Potter. If I remember correctly, Tom and Nicole were good friends with Thandie Newton, so I wonder how awkward it was for her to play his love interest. I agree that this movie had more action and less spy/Oceans stuff which I also like. I honestly can’t remember the other movies in the franchise, but I do recall certain stunts that Tom did. Like you mentioned, Tom does most of his own stunts and If you notice, we see his face. When a stuntman is used, they use camera angles to keep the viewer from seeing their face. I’m looking forward to watching the rest of the franchise with you and looking forward to Speed, which looks like will win the pole… any excuse to see Keanu. I love him in that movie. 🍿

Tara

Definitely the low point of the series. Idiotic but stylish and fun. Plot is a carbon copy of Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS (I remember at the time of it's release someone saying, "Hitchcock called, he wants his story back"), but the action is the real reason to see it. This is where Cruise starts getting really ambitious with the stunts he does. Settling in to watch the reaction now. As you're both easily entertained, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Stick Figure Studios

The shirt is a line from Dirty Dancing.

Carol_White

Carly rocking a Top Gun shirt. Gotta see the sequel, let’s go people.

Andrew Hogan

Glad you at least enjoyed it.... This was the low point of the MI films. This movie was the very definition of style over substance. The good news being that the series only get's better from here. :)

Brian Jones

Happy Memorial Day and great reaction Cassie! Hopefully you will eventually get around to watching Face/Off, which clearly will not win the current poll that's running, but John Woo directed that as well and you will notice the similarities of over the top action sequences, LOTS of slow motion and his signature use of doves (in slow motion). LOL I do look forward to seeing Speed which will clearly win the poll by a landslide. Been a long time since I've watched it. Anxiously awaiting more MI movies with you and Carly! Take care, Dave

Dave Hill

Glad you were entertained! I watch you gals because you’re not critics, you are having fun and that’s refreshing. Glad Carly’s healing, gotta showcase those fingernails girl. Cassie, what’s up with the shirt?

Steven Ashford

Definitely not the best representation of John Woos directorial style as he was heavily reigned in by the producers of the film. I encourage you to watch his Hong Kong features as the style there is fully on display and the action is second to none. This movie feels almost like a parody of John woos films.

Night King01

Never watched any of them after the first one. No particular reason why. So I have no opinion.

nick bell

School would have been so much easier with that grading scale.

Mike Lemon

Other fun facts that have likely been mentioned One of Ambrose's henchmen is an actor named William Mapothet and happens to be Tom Cruise's cousin. He appears in a lot of Tom's films. The last location on the island is a place called Bare Island. I went scuba diving around the island about 20 odd years ago. Nice place to go diving. Al.ost knelt on a sting ray. Saw some Port Jackson shark eggs. Weird looking things they are spiralled.

Brian McGovern

That's not like JJ to remake something. 😉

Brian McGovern

Last post - I really enjoyed this watch along. So for the record, they both give the first Mission Impossible an 8.5 which is between an A- and an A. And MI2 gets a 7.5 from Cassie and a 7 from Carly, but that's still a B+ so good grades, and deservedly so - Tom Cruise makes a lot of good movie, even when they're not great, they're still pretty good. I even enjoy The Mummy for the most part. On a scale of 1-10, I look at how Rotten Tomatoes classifies fresh and rotten, at that 60% threshold. So that's like a B is a fresh in my mind, and a 6 is a B. That's how it occurs to me. I recommend anything that is a B or higher and all the MI movies are higher than a B, even this one. Glad you enjoyed this one and can't wait to see you watch all of Tom Cruise's movies, maybe you can do Interview with the Vampire for Halloween this year!

Jason Dolan

Mission Impossible by Director Brian DePalma (The Untouchables , Scarface, Carrie) - those were the films he was known for but I think BLOW OUT is his best movie John Woo (The Killers, Face/Off, Broken Arrow) - if you've seen these movies, then the doves make sense - his overly dramatic slow mo style was a thing in the 90s JJ Abrams (LOST, Felicity, Alias) - this was Abrams' first movie and if you've seen the pilot for Alias, you know he basically just REMADE that as a MI movie, but it's not bad. Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, The Iron Giant) - was his first live action film, and he brought all of his Incredibles magic to the franchise. Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher, Way of the Gun, wrote The Usual Suspects) - obviously working with Cruise in Jack Reacher began this beautiful relationship which has seen them now made 4 MI films together with the Dead Reckoning Parts 1 & 2 coming in the next two years. The series has evolved as the directors have passed batons, but we find ourselves in a really good place with this series. Special shoutouts to Joseph Kosinski and Doug Liman, Cruise's other frequent collaborators.

Jason Dolan

Say goodbye to that fun scooby-doo like mysteries and reveals. Want more of that tone, gotta watch the old TV show. Tom Cruise ain't gonna be fun anymore.

Christopher Smith

Fun Fact about this movie - the actor Dougary Scott who plays Ambrose was cast to be Wolverine in X-Men, but he was contractually required to do reshoots on MI2 so Fox had to use the actor in second position, who turned out to be Hugh Jackman. And the rest, as they say, is history...

Jason Dolan

Ha! I knew you would like it. Some people just exaggerate on how bad they think this movie is. I like the rock climbing scene in the beginning when he makes that jump, and I like the motorcycle chase.

Michael Lynch

I actually won't be surprised if Cassie and Carly like MI2 and MI3 because those are the two movies that most heavily rely on the love story. MI4 refocuses on the action, with some of the most breathtaking sequences ever put on film. MI5 and MI6 even out the romance and the action, and the series really finds its footing. Simon Pegg's addition to the franchise in the third installment has given Tom Cruise his best onscreen foil since Goose. Side note, I think Edge of Tomorrow might be Tom Cruise's best performance.

Jason Dolan

Carly is gonna love Mission Impossible 3 and onwards. JJ Abrams directs Mission Impossible 3 and sets the tone for the rest of the films. He created Alias.

djKENTO

Shots Fired, lol

Jason Dolan

Btw, the best thing about MI series, it’s Tom Cruise stuff so minimal cgi! They are actually filming these stuff. 😎👍

enigmatic_thinker

I thought this was interesting to see my home state feature so heavily in a major Hollywood production. One of the advantages of having an Aussie married to the lead actor at the time.

Brian McGovern

MI2 imho is ok. The really worst one is MI3 (still quite ok tough). But the come Ghost Protocol, Rouge Nation and Fallot, each one just mind blowing excellent, toons of action and fun!

enigmatic_thinker