Directed by John Woo, Mission: Impossible II turns up the heat (and the doves) in the second installment of the Ethan Hunt saga. Featuring stylized action, intense close-ups, slow motion, and a more romantic subplot, this 2000 blockbuster helped solidify Tom Cruise’s status as an international action star.
Detailed Summary
Opening: A Deadly Virus and a Rogue Agent
The movie begins with the theft of a dangerous bioweapon called Chimera, and its antidote, Bellerophon, from a Russian lab. IMF agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) goes rogue, killing a scientist and stealing the virus to sell it on the black market. The IMF calls in Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), now vacationing in the mountains, to recover the virus and stop Ambrose.
Recruit the Thief
Ethan is tasked with recruiting Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton), a skilled thief and Ambrose’s ex-lover, to infiltrate his organization. Ethan and Nyah fall for each other quickly—too quickly, some might say—and tension builds when IMF orders her to get close to Ambrose romantically again.
Mission in Australia
The mission leads them to Sydney, Australia, where Ambrose is plotting to unleash Chimera and then sell the cure through a biotech company, Biocyte, whose stock he plans to manipulate. Nyah is embedded with Ambrose, but Ethan and his team—comprised of returning hacker Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and pilot Billy Baird—try to intercept the virus before Ambrose’s plan succeeds.
Ethan’s Classic Heist
In classic M:I fashion, Ethan breaks into the Biocyte lab to destroy the last remaining samples of Chimera and Bellerophon. But Ambrose anticipates his move. After a tense confrontation involving masks, explosions, and slow-motion gunfights, Ethan manages to destroy the virus vials—except for one last twist.
Nyah’s Sacrifice
In a devastating move, Nyah injects herself with Chimera to keep it away from Ambrose, giving Ethan only 20 hours to get the antidote to her before she dies. Ambrose plans to leave her to die in public to incite global panic, driving up the value of Bellerophon.
Movie Ending
The film culminates in a massive chase and hand-to-hand showdown on the coast. Ethan pursues Ambrose on a motorcycle, culminating in a dramatic mid-air collision (both literally leap off their bikes at full speed and slam into each other). The final fight is gritty and brutal—no gadgets, no masks, just fists and fury.
Ethan kills Ambrose after an intense, bloody beach brawl. He retrieves Bellerophon and races to Nyah, who is wandering through the city on the brink of death. In the nick of time, the antidote is administered, and Nyah survives.
In the final scene, Ethan and Nyah stroll off into the sunset—suggesting peace and romance. Spoiler: she never shows up in the sequels.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Mission: Impossible II does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the movie ends, it’s over. No Marvel-style teases, no hidden messages—just John Woo’s operatic send-off.
Type of Movie
Mission: Impossible II is a spy action thriller with heavy influences from Hong Kong action cinema. The film has a distinctly different tone from the first installment, trading suspense and espionage for gun-fu, slow motion, and intense melodrama.
Cast
- Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt
- Thandiwe Newton as Nyah Nordoff-Hall
- Dougray Scott as Sean Ambrose
- Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell
- Richard Roxburgh as Hugh Stamp
- Brendan Gleeson as John C. McCloy
- John Polson as Billy Baird
- Rade Šerbedžija as Dr. Nekhorvich
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, blending traditional orchestral music with Spanish guitar, electronic elements, and high-energy percussion. The soundtrack includes the famous Mission: Impossible theme, reimagined in a more dramatic and edgy style.
Notable contributions:
- “Take a Look Around” by Limp Bizkit
- “I Disappear” by Metallica, written specifically for the film
Filming Locations
The film was shot primarily in:
- Sydney, Australia – most of the film’s second and third acts are based here, including the Biocyte scenes and chase sequences.
- Dead Horse Point, Utah, USA – the rock-climbing scene at the beginning.
- Seville, Spain – opening scenes, including the mask handoff.
Australia’s sun-soaked coast and modern architecture give the film a glossy, hyper-real look that contrasts sharply with the colder tone of the original movie.
Awards and Nominations
The film didn’t make a splash at major awards shows but did receive:
- BMI Film Music Award – Hans Zimmer
- Nominations at Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and MTV Movie Awards, including “Best Action Sequence” and “Best Kiss”
Behind the Scenes Insights
- John Woo insisted on adding his trademark white doves, even in scenes where it made no logical sense.
- Tom Cruise performed his own rock-climbing stunts in Utah without a safety net (he was attached to a hidden harness).
- Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine in X-Men but had to drop out due to filming delays on this movie—enter Hugh Jackman.
- The mask technology was more prominent here than in the first film, leading to three major mask reveals.
Inspirations and References
The central bioweapon plot is loosely inspired by classic Cold War-era spy thrillers, with a heavy layer of John Woo’s action sensibilities. There’s a strong homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946), especially in the romance-spy dynamic between Ethan and Nyah.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several extended action sequences and dialogue-heavy scenes were cut from the final version to streamline pacing. An alternate ending was never officially confirmed, but early drafts reportedly had Nyah dying—a darker and more tragic finale that was ultimately scrapped.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Mission: Impossible II does not directly adapt a book.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ethan’s free solo rock climbing intro
- The lab heist and slow-motion firefight
- Ethan and Ambrose’s motorcycle joust
- The final hand-to-hand beach fight
Iconic Quotes
- Ethan Hunt: “This message will self-destruct in five seconds.”
- Ambrose: “You know, that was my best gun.”
- Ethan: “You’re gonna kill her. You’re gonna watch her die.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The name “Chimera“ is derived from Greek mythology—a creature made from parts of different animals—symbolizing the hybrid nature of the virus.
- Look closely in Ethan’s climbing scene: there’s a tiny camera drone POV shot, way ahead of its time for 2000.
- Luther references past IMF missions, subtly connecting this film to the events of Mission: Impossible (1996).
Trivia
- It was the highest-grossing film of 2000 worldwide.
- Tom Cruise’s hair in the film became an early 2000s cultural icon (seriously, people asked their barbers for “the Ethan”).
- Director John Woo almost walked off the project multiple times due to studio interference.
Why Watch?
Watch it for the bombastic action, the high-octane stunts, and a glimpse into the early 2000s version of cool. It’s the most romantic and stylized entry in the M:I series. If you like your spies with a side of slow motion and flying pigeons, this one’s for you.
Director’s Other Movies
- Face/Off (1997)
- The Killer (1989)
- Hard Boiled (1992)
- Red Cliff (2008)
- Paycheck (2003)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Face/Off (1997) – for more Woo-style gunplay
- The Bourne Identity (2002) – more grounded espionage
- GoldenEye (1995) – Bond meets action
- The Rock (1996) – action, thrills, and government secrets
- MI: Ghost Protocol (2011) – the franchise returns to form with better balance and team dynamics
