Editing Mission: Impossible 2

{{Short description|2000 film by John Woo}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Mission Impossible II.jpg
| alt            = Poster depicting wounded Ethan Hunt running. The background around him filled with flame and a bird
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[John Woo]]
| screenplay     = [[Robert Towne]]
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ronald D. Moore]]
* [[Brannon Braga]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]''|[[Bruce Geller]]}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tom Cruise]]
* [[Paula Wagner]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* Tom Cruise
* [[Dougray Scott]]
* [[Thandiwe Newton]]
* [[Richard Roxburgh]]
* [[John Polson]]
* [[Brendan Gleeson]]
* [[Rade Šerbedžija]]
* [[Ving Rhames]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Jeffrey L. Kimball]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Christian Wagner]]
* Steven Kemper
}}
| music          = [[Hans Zimmer]]{{efn|''Mission: Impossible'' Theme composed by [[Lalo Schifrin]]}}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref name="fone">{{cite web |title=Mission: Impossible II (2000) - Movie |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/mission-impossible-ii/7460/main/ |website=[[Moviefone]] |access-date=6 May 2025}}</ref>
* [[Cruise/Wagner Productions]]<ref name="fone"/><ref name="bfi">{{cite web|title=Mission: Impossible II (2000)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b82a011b6|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914192923/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b82a011b6|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
| distributor    = Paramount Pictures<ref name="bfi"/>
| released       = {{Film date|2000|5|24}}
| runtime        = 124 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 123:38--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/mission-impossible-ii-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtnze5ota1 | title=Mission: Impossible II (15) | publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=June 5, 2000 | access-date=January 1, 2021 | archive-date=June 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190455/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/mission-impossible-ii-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtnze5ota1 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country        = {{plainlist|
* United States<ref name="bfi"/>
* Germany<ref name="bfi"/>
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $120–125 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mission-Impossible-2#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114201429/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mission-Impossible-2#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BOM"/>
| gross          = $546.4 million<ref name="BOM"/>
}}

'''''Mission: Impossible 2''''' (titled onscreen as '''''Mission: Impossible II''''' and abbreviated as '''''M:i-2''''')<ref name="bfi"/> is a 2000 [[action film|action]] [[spy film]] directed by [[John Woo]], and produced by and starring [[Tom Cruise]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' (1996) and the second installment in the [[Mission: Impossible (film series)|''Mission: Impossible'' film series]]. The film also stars [[Dougray Scott]], [[Thandiwe Newton]], [[Richard Roxburgh]], [[John Polson]], [[Brendan Gleeson]], [[Rade Šerbedžija]] and [[Ving Rhames]]. In the film, [[Ethan Hunt]] (Cruise) teams with professional thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Newton) to secure a genetically modified disease, Chimera, held by rogue [[Impossible Missions Force]] (IMF) agent Sean Ambrose (Scott), who is Nordoff-Hall's former lover.

''Mission: Impossible 2'' was theatrically released in the United States by [[Paramount Pictures]] on May 24, 2000, and grossed over $546 million worldwide, becoming the [[2000 in film#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film of that year]]. Initial reactions from critics were mixed, with praise for the action sequences and Woo's direction, but criticism for the characterization. A sequel, ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]'', was released in 2006.

==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for featured film articles should be 400-700 words. -->
In [[Sydney]], bio-genetics scientist Doctor Vladimir Nekhorvich sends a message to the IMF for Dimitri ([[Ethan Hunt]]'s cover name), his old friend, warning that his employer, Biocyte Pharmaceuticals, forced him to develop a biological weapon, the [[Chimera (virus)|Chimera virus]], to profit from the cure, [[Bellerophon]]. He injects himself with the virus, carrying Bellerophon in a bag. However, en route to [[Atlanta]], IMF agent Sean Ambrose, who was disguised as Dimitri, goes rogue, betrays Nekhorvich, using sleeping gas on everyone aboard, steals Bellerophon, and jumps out of the plane before it crashes into the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]].

In [[Seville]], IMF director Swanbeck informs Ethan about Ambrose's actions, tasks him with recovering Chimera and Bellerophon, and has him recruit Nyah Nordoff-Hall, a professional thief and Ambrose's ex-girlfriend. Despite her initial reluctance, Ethan gets her to trace Ambrose to Sydney using an injectable tracking device. Ethan assembles his team, old friend and computer hacker [[Luther Stickell]], and helicopter pilot Billy Baird in Sydney while Nyah pretends to rekindle her relationship with Ambrose.

After Ambrose uses a video of Chimera infecting one of Nekhorvich's colleagues to blackmail Biocyte's [[CEO]], John McCloy, into cooperation, Nyah gives Ethan the memory card containing the video, revealing that Chimera has a 20-hour dormant period; Bellerophon is only effective if used within that window. Ethan's team kidnaps McCloy and learns that the only Bellerophon samples, taken by Nekhorvich, are now in Ambrose's hands, but he doesn't have the virus since Nekhorvich injected himself with it. Ethan breaks into Biocyte headquarters and destroys two samples of Chimera, but Ambrose's team ambushes him, having discovered Nyah's deception. At a stalemate, Ambrose orders Nyah to retrieve the virus' last sample, but she injects herself with it instead and begs Ethan to kill her to destroy the virus. Ethan refuses and flees the facility, promising to get her the cure.

Ambrose releases Nyah to wander the streets of Sydney, intending to start a pandemic. At Biocyte's storage facility on [[Bare Island (New South Wales)|Bare Island]], he offers to sell Bellerophon to McCloy in exchange for enough stock options to make him Biocyte's majority shareholder, enabling him and McCloy to make billions. Ethan infiltrates the base and fights Ambrose's right-hand man, Hugh Stamp; Stamp seemingly brings a subdued Ethan to Ambrose, who executes him. However, Ambrose, upon seeing Stamp's bandaged finger (which he had earlier cut with a cigar cutter for questioning his trust in Nyah), discovers that the dead "Ethan" is Stamp, masked and gagged, while the actual Ethan has stolen the Bellerophon samples. Enraged, Ambrose and his men chase Ethan onto the mainland; Hunt kills them, while Luther and Billy locate Nyah, who has wandered to a cliffside to kill herself and prevent the outbreak.

Ethan kills Ambrose in a fistfight on the beach and gives Bellerophon to the arriving Luther, who injects Nyah with it. The IMF clears Nyah's criminal record, and Ethan starts a vacation with her in Sydney.

==Cast==
<!-- opening title card billing -->
* [[Tom Cruise]] as [[Ethan Hunt]]: An agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF).
* [[Dougray Scott]] as Sean Ambrose: A rogue IMF agent who possesses Bellerophon.
* [[Thandiwe Newton]] as Nyah Nordoff-Hall: A professional thief brought on to assist Ethan in tracing Ambrose.
* [[Richard Roxburgh]] as Hugh Stamp: Ambrose's right-hand man.
* [[John Polson]] as Billy Baird: A helicopter pilot.
* [[Brendan Gleeson]] as John C. McCloy: CEO of Biocyte in Australia.
* [[Rade Šerbedžija]] as Dr. Vladimir Nekhorvich: Creator of Chimera at Biocyte.
<!-- and -->
* [[Ving Rhames]] as [[Luther Stickell]]: A computer hacker and IMF agent.
<!-- end opening title card billing -->

Additionally, [[Anthony Hopkins]] appears in an uncredited [[cameo appearance]] as Mission Commander Swanbeck.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/184585/Mission-Impossible-2/overview|title=Mission-Impossible-2 - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221234449/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/184585/Mission-Impossible-2/overview |archive-date=December 21, 2014 }}</ref> Tom Cruise's cousin [[William Mapother]] and [[Dominic Purcell]] appear as, respectively, Wallis and Ulrich, two of Ambrose's henchmen.

==Production==
[[William Goldman]] says he was the first writer on the film. "All that's left of mine is the climax... the climbing up the rocks sequence," he said. "I couldn't come up with a good villain and Bob Towne did."<ref>{{cite book|last=Cleese|first= John|title=Professor at Large : the Cornell Years|publisher=Cornell University Press|year= 2018|chapter=Screenwriting Seminar: John Cleese and Bill Goldman October 14, 2000}}</ref>

According to screenwriter [[Robert Towne]], several action sequences were already planned for the film prior to his involvement and before the story had been written.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://creativescreenwriting.com/its-just-as-hard-every-time-robert-towne-on-screenwriting/|title="It's just as hard every time." Robert Towne on Screenwriting|last=Argent|first=Daniel|date=February 25, 2016|newspaper=Creative Screenwriting|access-date=February 25, 2016|archive-date=February 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229081457/http://creativescreenwriting.com/its-just-as-hard-every-time-robert-towne-on-screenwriting/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ian McKellen]] was offered the part of Mission Commander Swanbeck, but turned it down.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Ian McKellen Almost Didn't Get to Play Gandalf or Magneto|url=http://www.people.com/article/ian-mckellen-iconic-roles-magneto-gandalf|access-date=October 8, 2021|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620094751/https://people.com/article/ian-mckellen-iconic-roles-magneto-gandalf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Ronald D. Moore]] & [[Brannon Braga]]'s draft of the script included [[Willy Armitage]] as one of the team members, though the role would have been recast with a younger actor instead of original cast member [[Peter Lupus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=36. Oliver Stone's 'Mission: Impossible 2' |url=https://www.lightthefusepodcast.com/36-oliver-stones-mission-impossible-2 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=LIGHT THE FUSE PODCAST |language=en-US |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923031609/https://www.lightthefusepodcast.com/36-oliver-stones-mission-impossible-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The studio expressed concern about the safety of filming Tom Cruise's entrance scene, in which he is [[free solo climbing]] at [[Dead Horse Point State Park]] in [[Moab, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discovermoab.com/movie.htm|title=Moab Movie Locations - Take a tour of some of Moab's famous movie locations.|access-date=October 5, 2014|archive-date=March 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325215144/http://www.discovermoab.com/movie.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Cruise refused to drop the idea because he could not think of a better way to reintroduce the character. There was no safety net as he filmed the sequence, but he did have a [[Climbing harness|harness]] and a thin wire.<ref name="ew">{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2000/05/17/truth-behind-mi-2s-most-dangerous-stunt/ |title=The truth behind ''M:I-2''{{'}}s most dangerous stunt |last=Bonin |first=Liane |language=en-US |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 17, 2000 |accessdate=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027140455/https://ew.com/article/2000/05/17/truth-behind-mi-2s-most-dangerous-stunt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He tore his shoulder when performing the jump from one part of the cliff to another.<ref>{{cite web|title=Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: Series 16: Episode 1|publisher=[[BBC iPlayer]]|date=January 23, 2009|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fm6wz/Friday_Night_with_Jonathan_Ross_Series_16_Episode_1/|access-date=January 24, 2009|archive-date=January 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127054052/http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fm6wz/Friday_Night_with_Jonathan_Ross_Series_16_Episode_1/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Thandiwe Newton discussed her unpleasant on-set experiences with Cruise during the shooting of the balcony sequence in a 2020 interview. According to Newton, Cruise was heavily stressed over the expectations of the sequel being good and was upset during the shooting of said scene because she had "the shittiest lines." The two decided to reverse roleplay each other as practice. However, it was unhelpful for her and pushed her "into a place of terror and insecurity." After the shooting was finished for the day, she contacted [[Jonathan Demme]], telling him what happened. Looking back on that day, Newton said about Cruise, "Bless him. And I really do mean bless him because he was trying his damnedest."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/thandie-newton-tom-cruise-fight-mission-impossible-set-1234571694 |title=Thandie Newton Shares Her 'Nightmare' Tom Cruise Story from 'Mission: Impossible 2' |date=July 7, 2020 |publisher=Indiewire |access-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722140445/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/thandie-newton-tom-cruise-fight-mission-impossible-set-1234571694/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://people.com/movies/thandie-newton-recalls-nightmare-with-tom-cruise-on-mission-impossible-2-set-he-was-really-stressed/ |title=Thandie Newton Recalls 'Nightmare' Scene with Tom Cruise on M:I 2 Set: 'He Was Really Stressed' |newspaper=People |access-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726120328/https://people.com/movies/thandie-newton-recalls-nightmare-with-tom-cruise-on-mission-impossible-2-set-he-was-really-stressed/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 7, 2020 |first=E. Alex |last=Jung |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/thandie-newton-in-conversation.html |title=In Conversation: Thandie Newton |publisher=Vulture |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804114217/https://www.vulture.com/article/thandie-newton-in-conversation.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the final fight scene between Ethan Hunt and Sean Ambrose, Tom Cruise insisted that a real knife be used. The knife was attached to a cable and was carefully measured to stop a quarter of an inch from Tom Cruise's eyeball, and the actor asked Dougray Scott to put his full strength down on the knife to get a realistic look for the scene.

===Music===
{{Main|Mission: Impossible 2 (score)|Mission: Impossible 2 (soundtrack)}}
The film's [[Film score|original score]] was composed by [[Hans Zimmer]] and features vocals performed by [[Lisa Gerrard]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Filmtracks: Mission: Impossible 2|url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/mission_imp2.html|publisher=[[Filmtracks.com]]|access-date=April 7, 2025|date=June 17, 2000|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109062001/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/mission_imp2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the film includes contemporary music such as [[Limp Bizkit]]'s rendition of [[Lalo Schifrin]]'s [[Theme from Mission: Impossible|''Mission: Impossible'' theme]] entitled "[[Take a Look Around (song)|Take a Look Around]]" as well as [[Metallica]]'s "[[I Disappear]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Mission: Impossible 2 [Original Soundtrack]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mission-impossible-2-original-soundtrack-mw0001059731|website=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630041805/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mission-impossible-2-original-soundtrack-mw0001059731|url-status=live}}</ref>

While Ethan is rock climbing during his holiday, [[Zap Mama]]'s remixed version of "[[Iko Iko]]" plays on the soundtrack.

About the score, Zimmer said: "The love theme from ''Mission: Impossible'' [II] was written about 6 weeks before they started shooting. I was on it that early. Then, we had a big meeting in Australia. They had the love theme, and I knew what the story was about, and I always thought it was about these two men being in love with the girl. So I said to the record company guy, "Look, here's one thing I would love you to do, when you find bands for me, make them all female. Make them all about sirens." Of course, what did I get? A bunch of heavy metal bands with guys. I promise you, it would have been a better movie, and it would have been a better score."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plume |first=Kenneth |date=2001-07-10 |title=Interview with Hans Zimmer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/10/interview-with-hans-zimmer |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314131357/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/10/interview-with-hans-zimmer |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, Diego Pineda Pacheco from Collider singled out ''Mission: Impossible 2'' as one of Zimmer’s most underrated scores especially for the ''Injection'' scene: "The film's score is imbued with Spanish influences, filling the romance at the core of the narrative with passion and flair."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pacheco |first=Diego Pineda |date=2024-04-20 |title=The 10 Most Underrated Hans Zimmer Scores, Ranked |url=https://collider.com/hans-zimmer-scores-underrated-ranked/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428024139/https://collider.com/hans-zimmer-scores-underrated-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Release==
===Home media===
''Mission: Impossible 2'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] on November 7, 2000,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=August 24, 2000 |title=Cruise pushes pluses on Par's 'M:I 2' DVD |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2000/digital/features/cruise-pushes-pluses-on-par-s-m-i-2-dvd-1117785511/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408232632/https://variety.com/2000/digital/features/cruise-pushes-pluses-on-par-s-m-i-2-dvd-1117785511/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Woo|first=John|title=Mission: Impossible 2|date=November 7, 2000|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Widescreen-Tom-Cruise/dp/B00003CXDG|publisher=Paramount|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804213338/https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Widescreen-Tom-Cruise/dp/B00003CXDG|url-status=live}}</ref> with a rare Japanese [[LaserDisc]] release following on April 3, 2001<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/00020/PILF-2865/Mission:-Impossible-2|title=LaserDisc Database - Mission: Impossible 2 [PILF-2865]|website=LaserDisc Database|access-date=November 25, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803042232/http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/00020/PILF-2865/Mission:-Impossible-2|url-status=live}}</ref> (released late in the format's life), with a potential North American release of this LaserDisc being cancelled in mid-2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/35231/|title=LaserDisc Database - Mission: Impossible 2 [LV334873-WS]|website=LaserDisc Database|access-date=November 25, 2018|archive-date=October 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030171509/http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/35231/|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Blu-ray]] release followed on June 3, 2008, and an [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] version was released on June 26, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cranswick |first=Amie |title=Mission: Impossible series hitting 4K Ultra HD this June |url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/05/mission-impossible-series-hitting-4k-ultra-hd-this-june/ |website=Flickering Myth |access-date=June 14, 2018 |date=May 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/1538/Mission:-Impossible-II-(2000).html|title=Mission: Impossible II DVD Release Date|website=DVDs Release Dates|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701221936/http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/1538/Mission:-Impossible-II-(2000).html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
On opening day, ''Mission: Impossible 2'' made $12.5 million, making it the fourth-highest-grossing Wednesday opening, behind ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]'', ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''. At that time, it had the largest number of screenings, playing at 3,653 theaters and beating ''[[Scream 3]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100441586/movies-mission-accomplished/ |title=Movies: Mission Accomplished |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430155938/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100441586/movies-mission-accomplished/ |date=May 26, 2000 |access-date=April 30, 2022 |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |page=78 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The film would go on to hold this record until it was surpassed by ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' the following year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|title=Weekend Box Office: Potter Smashes Records|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/20/weekend-box-office-potter-smashes-records|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 17, 2022|date=November 20, 2001|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165358/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/20/weekend-box-office-potter-smashes-records|url-status=live}}</ref> It grossed $57,845,297, crossing over ''[[Toy Story 2]]'' to have the third-highest-grossing opening weekend of all time, behind ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]'' and ''The Phantom Menace''.<ref name="OpeningWeekend" /> Moreover, the film surpassed its predecessor ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' for not only having the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film based on a TV show, but also the largest opening weekend for any [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] film. It also dethroned ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'' for scoring the biggest opening weekend for a spy film, a position it held until 2002.<ref name="OpeningWeekend">{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2000 |title=Weekend Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3144942596/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430162100/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3144942596/|archive-date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> The TV show opening weekend record would be held for seven years until ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'' was released in 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Rich|first=Joshua|title=''Simpsons Movie'' shatters records|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/30/simpsons-movie-shatters-records/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 30, 2022|date=July 30, 2007|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071757/https://ew.com/article/2007/07/30/simpsons-movie-shatters-records/|url-status=live}}</ref>

When ''Mission: Impossible 2'' first opened, the film was ranked [[List of 2000 box office number-one films in the United States|number one at the US box office]], topping out ''[[Dinosaur (2000 film)|Dinosaur]]'' and ''[[Shanghai Noon]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reese|first=Lori|title=''M:I-2'' wins the box office fight on a record weekend|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/05/29/mi-2-wins-box-office-fight-record-weekend/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 30, 2022|date=May 29, 2000|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504165040/https://ew.com/article/2000/05/29/mi-2-wins-box-office-fight-record-weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> In its second weekend, it collected a total of $27 million, while outgrossing ''[[Big Momma's House]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/martin-lawrence-nearly-dethrones-m-i-2/402552.article|title=Martin Lawrence nearly dethrones M: I 2|access-date=October 13, 2024|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325150641/https://www.screendaily.com/martin-lawrence-nearly-dethrones-m-i-2/402552.article|url-status=live}}</ref> It held on to the number one spot for a total of two weekends until it was overtaken by ''[[Gone in 60 Seconds (2000 film)|Gone in 60 Seconds]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reese|first=Lori|title=''Gone in 60 Seconds'' drives ''M:I-2'' out of the top spot|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/06/11/gone-60-seconds-drives-mi-2-out-top-spot/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 30, 2022|date=June 11, 2000|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504165038/https://ew.com/article/2000/06/11/gone-60-seconds-drives-mi-2-out-top-spot/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around this time, the film went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year in the US, beating ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109782129/gone-in-60-seconds-steals-top-box/ |title='Gone in 60 Seconds' steals top box office spot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921135948/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109782129/gone-in-60-seconds-steals-top-box/ |newspaper=[[The Post-Crescent]] |page=24 |date=June 13, 2000 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> It would remain so until that December when it was dethroned by ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/dec/21/news|title=How the Grinch stole the box office|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=December 21, 2000|access-date=September 22, 2022|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922133241/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/dec/21/news|url-status=live}}</ref>

It started its international release on June 1, 2000 and topped the [[List of 2000 box office number-one films in Australia|Australian box office]] with a gross of $3.7 million (A$6.4 million) in its opening 4-day weekend from 366 screens, a record for [[United International Pictures]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=June 9, 2000|page=23|title=Oz kickstarts M:I2 roll-out|last=George|first=Sandy}}</ref> It was a big success in Japan, recording the second biggest opening ever behind ''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' with a gross of $13.6 million from 356 screens, grossing over $50 million in just over three weeks and $94 million in total.<ref name=intl>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=July 14, 2000|page=27|title=Second Mission blasts to $100m internationally|last=Scott|first=Mary}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=August 4, 2000|page=23|title=French opening boosts M:I2 worldwide gross|last=Scott|first=Mary}}</ref><ref name="BOM"/> The film also delivered the third-highest opening in Spain with $2.9 million, after the latter film and ''[[The Sixth Sense]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=July 11, 2000 |title='Mission' successful o'seas |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/mission-successful-o-seas-1117783520/ |access-date=October 12, 2024 |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216044003/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/mission-successful-o-seas-1117783520/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It recorded the biggest July opening in Germany with a four-day gross of $7.9 million and had record openings in Austria ($1.3 million) and Russia ($0.3 million).<ref name=intl/>

The film eventually grossed $215,409,889 in the United States and Canada and $330,978,216 in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $546,388,105, making it the highest-grossing film of 2000.<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |title = Mission: Impossible II (2000) |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi2.htm |website = [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date = July 13, 2011 |archive-date = August 11, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180811031933/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi2.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> It is John Woo's highest-grossing film, surpassing ''[[Face/Off]]'', and was the highest-grossing film in the ''Mission: Impossible'' series until the release of the fourth film, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol]]'', in 2011.

===Critical response===
Review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] indicates ''Mission: Impossible 2'' has an overall approval rating of 57% based on 209 reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Your cranium may crave more substance, but your eyes will feast on the amazing action sequences."<ref>{{cite web |title = Mission Impossible 2 (2000) |url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_ii/ |publisher = [[Fandango Media]] |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date = May 8, 2025 |archive-date = April 22, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210422181630/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_ii |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] assigned the film a weighted average score of 59 out of 100, based on 40 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/missionimpossible2| title = Mission: Impossible II Reviews| publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]| work = [[Metacritic]]| access-date = March 6, 2018| archive-date = April 27, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100427052457/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/missionimpossible2| url-status = live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, down from the first film's "B+".<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url=https://m.cinemascore.com/ |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217211441/https://m.cinemascore.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' awarded the film three out of four stars, stating "if the first movie was entertaining as sound, fury, and movement, this one is more evolved, more confident, more sure-footed in the way it marries minimal character development to seamless action."<ref name="ebert">{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mission-impossible-ii-2000|title=Mission: Impossible II|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 24, 2000|access-date=May 10, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605024614/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mission-impossible-ii-2000|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' felt the film was a "throwaway pleasure" but also "a triumph of souped-up action."<ref>[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276298,00.html "Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706230606/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276298,00.html |date=July 6, 2014 }}, [[Owen Gleiberman]], June 2, 2000, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', [[Time Inc.]]</ref> Ella Taylor of ''[[LA Weekly]]'' said that "every car chase, every plane crash, every potential drop off a cliff is a masterpiece of grace and surprise."<ref>[http://www.laweekly.com/film/film_results.php3?showid=1169 Mission: Impossible II review], Ella Taylor, ''[[LA Weekly]]'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115195615/http://www.laweekly.com/film/film_results.php3?showid=1169 |date=January 15, 2008 }}</ref> Desson Howe of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' said that "[John] Woo [...] takes complete command of the latest technology to create brilliant action sequences."<ref><!-- cite news -->[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/entertainment/movies/reviews/missionimpossible2howe.htm "'M:I-2': Mission Accomplished"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135324/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/entertainment/movies/reviews/missionimpossible2howe.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, [[Desson Howe]], May 26, 2000, ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref>

J. Hoberman of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' called the film "a vaguely absurd thriller filled with elaborately superfluous setups and shamelessly stale James Bond riffs."<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0022/hoberman.shtml "Smoke and Mirrors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010414052045/http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0022/hoberman.shtml |date=April 14, 2001 }}, J. Hoberman, May 30, 2000, ''[[The Village Voice]]''.</ref> Dennis Harvey of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said the film is "even more empty a luxury vehicle than its predecessor" and that it "pushes the envelope in terms of just how much flashy packaging an audience will buy when there's absolutely nada inside."<ref>[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117782016/ "Mission: Impossible 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709171530/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/mission-impossible-2-2-1200462090/ |date=July 9, 2023 }}, Dennis Harvey, May 23, 2000, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''.</ref> [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] of the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' said that "no hero or villain winds up carrying any moral weight at all."<ref>[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/mission-impossible-2/Film?oid=1048866 Mission: Impossible II review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522143458/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/mission-impossible-2/Film?oid=1048866 |date=May 22, 2013 }}, [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]], ''[[Chicago Reader]]''.</ref>

In a retrospective commentary in 2012, Brad Brevet noted the film has significant similarities in plot and themes to [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s 1946 film ''[[Notorious (1946 film)|Notorious]]''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brad |last=Brevet |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Did You Know 'Mission: Impossible 2' is a Remake of Hitchcock's 'Notorious'? Here, Have a Look... |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/560775-did-you-know-mission-impossible-2-is-a-remake-of-hitchcocks-notorious-here-have-a-look/2 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |work=ComingSoon.net |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404052928/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/560775-did-you-know-mission-impossible-2-is-a-remake-of-hitchcocks-notorious-here-have-a-look/2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accolades===
''Mission: Impossible 2'' won both Best Male Performance for Tom Cruise and Best Action Sequence at the [[MTV Movie & TV Awards|MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywood.com/tv/2001-mtv-movie-awards-57180046 |title= 2001 MTV Movie Awards |work= [[Hollywood.com]] |date= June 14, 2001 |access-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231122224728/https://www.hollywood.com/tv/2001-mtv-movie-awards-57180046 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, it was also nominated for two [[Golden Raspberry Award]]s at the [[21st Golden Raspberry Awards|2000 ceremony]], including [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel#Worst Remake or Sequel (1994–1995, 1997–1998, 2000–2005)|Worst Remake or Sequel]] and [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]] for Thandiwe Newton<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.razzies.com/forum/2000-razzie-nominees-winners_topic350.html |title=2000 RAZZIE Nominees & 'Winners' |publisher=Golden Raspberry Award Foundation |date=December 4, 2005 |access-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513120507/http://www.razzies.com/forum/2000-razzie-nominees-winners_topic350.html |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as nominated for a [[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards|Stinker Award]] at the [[2000 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards|2000 ceremony]] for Worst Song (Limp Bizkit's "Take a Look Around").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2000/2000st.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070105221207/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/2000/2000st.htm|archive-date = January 5, 2007|title = Awards}}</ref>
==Sequel==
{{main|Mission: Impossible III}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Mission: Impossible II}}
*{{Official website}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{mojo title}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

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