Mission: Impossible 2 is widely regarded as the worst of Tom Cruise’s beloved action franchise, but I’m not convinced that the film is quite as bad as most people claim. The sequel picks up shortly after the first film’s conclusion, with Ethan Hunt getting called back early from his vacation to reclaim a dangerous bio-weapon that’s fallen into the hands of an ex-IMF agent named Sean Ambrose. The film features some of Tom Cruise’s most dangerous Mission: Impossible stunts ever, and an endearing focus on action and fight sequences that clearly separates it from the original.

Unfortunately, Mission: Impossible 2 was met with a fairly mixed reception upon release, and in the years since, the franchise has attempted to distance itself from the bold, stylish filmmaking that John Woo displayed here. Instead, the films have ditched the warm color palette and melodramatic storytelling for a brighter, more character-driven story about friendship and sacrifice in the world of espionage. However, this sequel remains one of the most rewatchable Mission: Impossible projects thanks to its hilariously over-the-top action and grounded romantic subplot that’s missing from some of the more big-budget sequels.

Why So Many People Don’t Like Mission: Impossible 2

There Are Definitely Flaws In This Bold Action Sequel

To set the record straight: Mission: Impossible 2 isn’t an easy movie to love. There are plenty of flaws in the story, and compared with the other entries in the franchise, it’s a lot messier and less memorable when it comes to its characters and the dynamics between them. It’s often considered the worst of the Mission: Impossible movies because of just how silly and melodramatic it can be, and that’s definitely true – some of John Woo’s filmmaking decisions are really hard to understand, and they often undercut the more serious aspects of the story.

It’s a very high-stakes narrative of chemical warfare and international politics, but Mission: Impossible 2 can often make these tensions seem trivial with its slow-motion shootouts and choppy editing. For those looking to fully immerse themselves in an engaging story with unpredictable twists and complex characters, this probably isn’t the sequel to jump straight into. Films like Rogue Nation and Ghost Protocol are much easier to appreciate, but there’s something about the ambitious filmmaking and unadulterated style of Mission: Impossible 2 that’s impossible not to at least appreciate.

Mission: Impossible 2 Works Because It’s Purely A John Woo Movie

John Woo Has Some Serious Style Behind The Camera

Before Christopher McQuarrie took over the Mission: Impossible franchise with Rogue Nation in 2015, the series had been jumping between directors with each pᴀssing sequel. Acclaimed filmmakers like Brian De Palma, JJ Abrams, and Brad Bird all tried their hands at the series, and they all did a great job of blending their own personal styles with the ongoing tone of Mission: Impossible as a whole. However, the second movie stands out because of how shamelessly John Woo leaves his own trademark on this project, breaking away from the gritty realism of the first movie for something more sensationalized.

The slow-motion fight sequences and absurd motorcycle chases are often cited as reasons not to enjoy this bold sequel, but I’m convinced they’re actually the strongest part of the movie. Despite rumors that Tom Cruise oversaw the editing of Mission: Impossible 2 himself, Woo has since clarified that he had a very singular vision for this sequel that Cruise and his production company respected – and it’s overwhelmingly evident in the final cut. It’s the visuals that separate this sequel from the rest, and even if they’re undeniably dated, it’s better to be overambitious than not bold enough.

Mission: Impossible 2’s Stunts & Action Sequences Are A Highlight

The Final Act Houses Some Of Mission: Impossible’s Wildest Stunts

The story of Mission: Impossible 2 is undeniably weak in comparison to the rest of the franchise – there aren’t many shocking twists, the entire plot hinges on a shameless MacGuffin in the “Chimera” virus, and Sean Ambrose is far from the series’ most compelling villain. However, when it comes to the stunt work and the extended action sequences, there aren’t many other Mission: Impossible movies that come close. Whether it’s the final-act motorcycle chase or the opening mountaineering, there are so many memorable stunts in Mission: Impossible 2 that are enhanced by John Woo’s unique visual style.

Even the smaller moments, such as Ethan Hunt sliding across the floor or catching a weapon in his hands, are made infinitely more compelling by the camera tricks and editing illusions that Woo manages to create. During his scuffle with Ambrose in Mission: Impossible 2‘s ending, there’s a moment in which Ethan Hunt rides his motorcycle across a flaming bridge that would have been cool enough under any other director, but John Woo manages to capture it from such a unique angle, with an unconventional color palette, in gruelling slow motion, making it one of the film’s most iconic images.

Mission: Impossible 2 Laid The Groundwork For The Franchise’s Evolution

The Series Became Totally Different Thanks To Mission: Impossible 2

Ultimately, Mission: Impossible 2 may not be the most palatable or conventional movie in the franchise, but it set the stage for everything that was to come. It set the precedent for Mission: Impossible to be a franchise where auteur directors could leave their own mark, which consequently led to JJ Abrams’ action-heavy Mission: Impossible 3 and Brad Bird’s more personal, plot-driven Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. That would never have happened if De Palma had returned, or if Woo’s replacement had merely tried to mimic the original movie’s visual style.

The stunts in Mission: Impossible 2 also helped develop the franchise into something very different from De Palma’s original movie. While the first instalment was a very grounded thriller that focused on politics and character motivations above all else, Woo’s sequel proved that heavy action and daring stunts are where this series thrives.

This is something that Brad Bird continued with his ambitious Burj Khalifa stunt in Ghost Protocol, and it’s how Cruise and McQuarrie have continued to market the franchise all the way until The Final Reckoning. This all started with Mission: Impossible 2; even if it’s a very flawed project, it’s one that deserves a second (or third) chance.