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.

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 Sidney. 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.

Theatrical release: May 24, 2000.

Filmed at Fox Studios and on location in Sydney & Broken Hill, Australia, and filmed at Los Angeles Center Studios and on location in Moab, Utah, and Los Angeles, California.

The film grossed more than $210 million at the domestic box office and more than $430 million worldwide.

John Woo told Mr. Showbiz that the love story in M:I-2 was inspired by the spy love story between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Alfred Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS.

Tom Cruise insisted on performing virtually all his own stunts, against director John Woo's wishes.

Tom Cruise had never before fired a gun in any his previous films.

Oliver Stone was at one time attached as the director of this film.

Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only returning cast members from the first film.

Metallica's music video for "I Disappear," from the M:I-2 soundtrack (the song appears over the closing credits), features scenes mimicking BULLITT, DIE HARD, and NORTH BY NORTHWEST, in addition to a final shot of Cruise. This is the first song Metallica has written specifically for a motion picture.

When John Woo was growing up, his favorite types of films were musicals and westerns.

Anthony Hopkins's appearance in the film is uncredited.

The theme song "Take a Look Around (Theme from 'M:I2')" by Lalo Schifrin & Fred Durst is performed and produced by Limp Bizkit.

Excerpt: "Well, this is not Mission: Difficult, Mr. Hunt, it's Mission: Impossible."--Anthony Hopkins to Tom Cruise

DVD Features:

2-Disc Set
Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround - French
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Title Sequence
Audio Commentary: John Woo - Director
Music Video: Metallica - I DISSAPEAR
Tribute Montages
Featurette:
1. "Behind The Mission"
2. "Impossible Shots"
3. "Mission Incredible"
4. Mission Improbable"
Trailers:
1. Teaser Trailer
2. The Big Game Launch TV Spot
DVD-ROM Features:
Agent Dossiers
Legend of Chimera
M:I-2 DVD Onlive
M:I-2 Tech Tools

Tom Cruise: American Actor, RISKY BUSINESS, EYES WIDE SHUT
Dougray Scott: Scottish actor, EVER AFTER/RIPLEY'S GAME
Thandie Newton: British actress, FLIRTING
Ving Rhames: Actor
Anthony Hopkins: Welsh Actor
Brendan Gleeson: Actor/"Braveheart"
William R. Mapother: Actor
John Polson: Actor
Rade Serbedzija: Yugoslav Actor, EYES WIDE SHUT, SNATCH
Richard Roxburgh: Actor

John Woo: Hong Kong Director, A BETTER TOMORROW

Tom Cruise: American Actor, RISKY BUSINESS, EYES WIDE SHUT
Paula Wagner: Producer

Robert Towne: 

Hans Zimmer: Composer
 BT: Composer, STEALTH (2005)

Christian Wagner: Editor, SPY GAME (2001)
Steven Kemper: Editor, THE RELIC (1997)

"...[John Woo] directs action the way others stage Wagnerian operas..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
"...Woo generates explosive excitement....Cruise sizzles in a killer blast of thrills, suspense and delicious sin..."
"...[Woo] is a master of movement and chaos....Woo's marvelous visual sense is always an asset..."
"M:I2 is a heady triumph of adrenaline over common sense."
"...Tons of action....The most spectacular film Woo has ever directed..."
"...Cruise's rock climbing antics set your blood pumping early..."