|
John Woo raises the action bar in this violent, romantic sequel to Brian De Palma's 1996 original. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan
Hunt, this time battling wits with rogue IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). Hunt is ordered to recruit Ambrose's former
lover, Nyah Hall (Thandie Newton), to infiltrate his hideout. But Hunt never expected to fall for the lovely young thief he
must use for bait. The romantic triangle that ensues gives the film a unique emotional balance that is unusual (and most welcome)
for an action picture. Ambrose is after the killer Chimera virus and its antidote, Bellerophon; in the old days Ambrose would
have been after world domination, but in this new world order of day trading and Internet stocks, all he wants is to corner
the market and make a fortune. Woo outdoes even himself with a flurry of martial-arts fights, fiery shootouts, thrilling mountain
climbing, and blazing motorcycle chases that lead from the beautiful peaks of Utah through the busy streets of Sydney. All
of this is set to a booming hard-rock soundtrack that battles with the explosions and blasting guns for ear space. And he
doesn't fail to include his trademark birds fluttering like peaceful interludes in the most threatening of moments.
|
