Synopsis:
Tom saves the world, the woman, and kills the bad guy.

Review:
This movie rocks, just be aware of what you're getting into. Don't be expecting Magnolia or American Beauty here. Basically, Tom's an American James Bond out to save the world and only he can. It's a summer blockbuster, big on balls, short on brains. The film is like a roller coaster, for amusement and thrills only, don't go looking for deeper meaning here.

The story is thin, very thin. Basically everyone screws up. Every single character screws up royally which creates the need for the next scene. The scientist screws up while making an anti-virus and creates the world's most deadly virus. Tom screws up and isn't available to protect him. Then the IMF screws up and sends in a rogue agent to protect the scientist. The agent screws up and neglects to steal the virus, only the anecdote. Then the girl screws up and Tom saves her. The whole script goes on like this; each mistake leads to the need for the next scene. The script is passable enough and does its purpose, which is to set the stage for the stunt work. The only sore spot I had were that most of the requisite summer movie catch phrases were extremely lame. The delivery and content so cheesy they'll make you cringe.

So did I like the film? Although it may not sound like it, I loved it for what it was. I'm getting really tired of aging or out of shape actors trying to pull off "action hero" roles. I couldn't in the wildest stretch of my imagination believe Sean Connory in Entrapment for example. There are a dozen other examples every summer. I liked this film for the fact that Tom was believable as the action hero. Many of the stunts were beyond my belief though, I was sure they were green screened in a cozy studio, or created with CGI. With the DVD I was amazed to find that almost every stunt actually occurred in some fashion. Sure they had the requisite safety cables, but Tom was out there working for your movie dollar. In one interview clip Tom explains how he really wanted to thrill and excite the audience. For Tom that meant he did the lion's share of his stunt and fight scenes. After watching the behind the scenes and then the movie, I appreciate the effort. It was worth my twelve bucks at the cinema and worth the thirty for the DVD.

Special Features :
There's been an omission in the MI2 credits. Apparently, the real co-stars of this film are Tom's balls.

Since I saw this movie at least three times in the theater, revealing something about my own lack of testosterone) I went right for the special features of this disc. That's where it's revealed. Tom's got a death wish, or he's superhuman. Dammit, he is Maverick.

The special features of this disc are 90% stunt related. (Which works out well since the movie is too). Eleven of the stunts are shown broken down and explained. Well not explained. All that's really shown is proof that Tom does his own stunts. Perched off a cliff, Tom. Diving out a building, Tom. Riding a bike through fire, Tom. You get the idea.

The clips don't go into much detail. Seeming to exist only for Tom's ego. They're intercut with tales of John Woo begging Tom not to do each stunt and stunt directors explaining how dangerous each stunt is, then Tom grinning. One scene is multiple cuts of Tom saying, "let's go again" about 15 times after a 60 foot freefall.

Then there is a behind the scenes featurette which is mainly more of the same. Tom's death defying stunt work prevails. Another featurette speaks with the writer, the co-producer, John Woo and the cast about MI2. A couple of things were revealed. Robert Towne was brought in to write a script around the stunts. Tom has a whole series of Mission Impossible films planned, a la Bond. They also try to boast about the quality of the writing (they shouldn't) and Tom admits that the Mission Impossible characters shouldn't be too complex (no danger of that).

There's also a spoof starring Tom and Ben Stiller. It's some funny shit and appreciated after all the ego stroking of the other pieces. Definitely watch it.

Also included is the Metallica music video of the title track "I Disappear". Don't like Metallica, didn't watch it. It's there if you want it.

Okay now, they've included a commentary track by Director John Woo. This might be informative if Mr. Woo spoke fluent English. He may be brilliant, but multi-lingual he ain't. I couldn't understand what he was saying and gave up.

Last and most certainly least is the alternate title sequence. Just a variation of the title animation. A waste of 45 seconds.

No deleted scenes. No decipherable commentary. No trailers. The menus are animated and slick looking, but the layout is screwed. The menu labels make no sense and are difficult to navigate. The disc also includes DVD ROM features that sound interesting, but they wouldn't function for me.

Video:
The outstanding video transfer this DVD offers the best possible viewing of this film.

Audio:
Amazing 5.1 all around. That’s what I’m talking about!

-Rob