Mission: Impossible II – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Mission: Impossible II

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2000

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Cruise's hair-flipping, slow-motion motorcycle jumps, and a plot about stopping a bioweapon—it's the M:I movie even franchise fans pretend doesn't exist.

6.1/10

58%

42%

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Mission: Impossible II

movie

PG-13, 2000

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Cruise's hair-flipping, slow-motion motorcycle jumps, and a plot about stopping a bioweapon—it's the M:I movie even franchise fans pretend doesn't exist.

6.1

58%

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6.1/10

58%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this is the Mission: Impossible movie everyone forgets about, and for good reason. The ratings tell the story—42% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, 2.6 out of 5 on Letterboxd. Yikes.

Director John Woo brought his Hong Kong action style to Hollywood, which means lots of slow-motion doves, dramatic hair flips, and motorcycle stunts. It was already feeling dated by 2005, and in 2025 it's practically unwatchable for modern kids used to the breakneck pacing of the later M:I films.

The plot is thin (stop bad guy from releasing virus), the romance is forced, and at two hours it drags. Compare this to Mission: Impossible - Fallout or Rogue Nation and you'll wonder how they're even in the same franchise.

If your teen is doing a franchise marathon, fine—but set expectations low. Otherwise, skip straight to M:I 3 and beyond. This one's a relic.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ due to violence and sexual content, but honestly, even teens might find this one boring compared to the later Mission: Impossible films. Adults who are franchise completists or John Woo fans only.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Stylized action violence throughout, including gunfights, explosions, and hand-to-hand combat. Features a romantic subplot with implied sexual content. The tone is aggressive and testosterone-fueled rather than emotionally balanced. Models some cooperation within the team, but primarily glorifies individual heroics and risk-taking.

Imaginative

Spy thriller with elaborate stunts and international settings (Australia, Spain). However, the plot is fairly formulaic—stop the villain from releasing a bioweapon—and leans heavily on action movie tropes rather than genuine creativity. John Woo's signature slow-motion doves and bullet ballet style was fresh in 2000 but feels dated now. Doesn't invite exploration or creative thinking beyond passive viewing.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 13+. Contains significant action violence, some bloody moments, sexual content (implied sex scene, passionate kissing), and mature themes around bioterrorism. Not graphic by modern standards, but definitely has content that would be inappropriate for younger viewers. The violence is stylized but intense, with people shot and killed throughout. No surprise extreme gore, but it's a hard PG-13/soft R in tone.

Enriching

Minimal educational or emotional growth value. It's pure popcorn entertainment focused on spectacle over substance. The bioweapon plot touches on themes of corporate greed and biological warfare but doesn't explore them meaningfully. Character development is thin—Ethan Hunt is a one-dimensional action hero. No real skill-building, empathy development, or meaningful takeaways beyond 'good guys defeat bad guys.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your teen is working through the Mission: Impossible franchise, they'll need to watch this for completeness (but warn them it's the weakest link)
Some genuinely impressive practical stunts—Cruise did his own motorcycle work and rock climbing
John Woo's signature action style offers a different flavor than the other M:I films, even if it feels dated now
The Spain and Australia locations are visually appealing

⚠

What to Watch For

Action violence throughout—gunfights, explosions, people killed on-screen (stylized but constant)
Sexual content including an implied sex scene and passionate kissing
The pacing is glacial by 2025 standards—lots of slow-motion, dramatic stares, and a two-hour runtime that feels longer
That early-2000s aesthetic (leather coats, tribal tattoos, Limp Bizkit energy) might be unintentionally hilarious for modern teens

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think this movie has such lower ratings than the other Mission: Impossible films?"
"The villain creates a virus so he can profit from selling the cure—does that remind you of any real-world situations?"
"How have action movies changed since 2000? What makes modern action sequences feel different?"
"Ethan Hunt takes massive personal risks in this one—when is heroism brave versus just reckless?"

Stills