Mission: Impossible II [2 Disc Set]

Sound:
The sound quality of "Mission: Impossible 2" is almost as impressive as the visuals found on the disc. As technology has improved, so has the ability to have knock-your-socks off sound effects and the reproduction of sound. With the four years of time between the first and second film, the sequel has a far more aggressive soundtrack and its overblown stunts are heightened with stunning sound. This film was intended to be listened to at loud volumes. There is absolutely no reason to watch a film from the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, especially one of the sequels, through your television speakers or at low volumes. These films are meant to be cranked up and the immersive stunts fill a room with loud and pleasing audible effects. Hans Zimmer´s musical score is effective and powerful. The Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 soundtrack handles it very nicely and the soundtrack is very capable or rivaling the aggressive sound effects. In this film, surrounds and the.1 LFE channel are used quite actively and noticeably more than the first film. Explosions rock hard in this film and the motorcycles engines rev at impressive high pitches. In addition to the English 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack, Paramount has provided French 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks. English, French and Spanish subtitles are provided, as well as an English SDH track.

Extras:
"Mission: Impossible 2" presents a slightly disappointing set of bonus materials when compared to the other two film´s Blu-ray releases. I was pleasantly surprised by the Commentary by Director John Woo. With the commentary track active, I found the film to be far more entertaining with John Woo talking over the action. Some of the supplements are recycled between the first film and the second. The rest of the supplements that have not already been found on the first film´s "Extras" menu runs for roughly one hour. Compared to the wonderful treatment given to the third film, this is especially thin. Behind the Mission (14:27) is your typical EPK style documentary featuring Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner and others as they discuss making the second film and working with the franchise. The EPK materials continue with Mission Incredible (5:12) as they discuss the scenes such as the motorcycle stunts and the opening mountain climbing sequence. Impossible Shots (34:15) is eleven vignettes that break down some of the various shots in the film and what was done to create them, with the cast and crew discussing their thoughts on the scenes. A music video for Metallica´s b>I Disappear (4:33) finds the band rocking on a rocky plateau. Good song. The Alternate Title Sequence (:36) is just an alternate take on the animated title sequence and the final two supplements are also found on the first disc. Excellence in Film (9:14) features the presentation for an award given to Tom Cruise. This supplement is on all three discs. Generation: Cruise (3:36) is a similar supplement, but from the MTV Movie Awards. Both "Excellence in Film" and "Generation: Cruise" were also contained on the first film´s Blu-ray release.

Closing Thoughts:
I am not a big fan of the second "Mission: Impossible" film. I felt the first entry was remotely believable, but this first sequel decided to one-up James Bond and go all out on unbelievable stunts and overly amazing gadgetry. Ethan Hunt is now a super hero and no longer the super capable spy. Thankfully, Ving Rhames is still along for the ride and he always makes a film better. John Woo intended to make this film a more visceral and dynamic experience. He succeeded, but I felt he ruined what could have been a stellar second outing for Tom Cruise´s franchise. The second film is loud and visually pleasing. It sounds and looks great. When you compare this 2000 sequel to the 1996 original, four years makes quite a difference. The supplements are either rehashed from the first film´s release, or typical EPK elements. They aren´t bad, just underwhelming. Thankfully, John Woo does a better job commenting about the film than he did directing it and his commentary is the centerpiece of the bonus materials. This is not nearly as effective a film as the other two in the series, but it is hard to buy number one and number three without number two. Speaking of number two…

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