Surely he could not direct a Mission: Impossible film and not overload it with well choreographed action sequences. Surely he couldn't make M:I-2 a straight out action movie and make it a better film then the original, which was more of a thriller.

Well folks, I was wrong.

Woo has produced a film that is fast, exciting and unbelievably cool. The trademark Woo action is still present, but we are not bombarded with it and as a result, the solid storyline is allowed to flow. M:I-2 is never slow and when the action sequences are brought out, they are magnificent to watch.

This time around, super-spy Ethan Hunt (played again by the ever dependable Tom Cruise) must stop the release of a deadly virus by a disgruntled former colleague. The job is made more difficult when he falls in love with the woman he needs to send in to liaison with the villain. Most of the action takes place in Sydney and anyone forgetting this, is reminded by the numerous shots of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Having the film set so close to home does add a little bit of extra charm.

M:I-2 is a totally different film to it's predecessor. It relies far more on action and as a result is a lot pacier. The story is not as complicated as the original, something that may please people who found the original a little hard to follow. As a result you don’t have to think much about the plot and instead can sit back and enjoy what is a immensely watchable film.

Woo’s direction is stylish and whilst the slow motion shots are still present, they are used, for the most part, at appropriate times and in no way do they halt the movies' momentum.

The action sequences are totally unbelievable, but great fun to watch. Numerous times the characters pull off stunts that are near on impossible in real life, but they look so good that it will not bother you.

Of the actors, Dougray Scott is the stand out as the villain intent on making a fortune by releasing a deadly virus and then selling the cure. He doesn’t overplay his role and as a result comes across almost as cool as our hero, Ethan Hunt. Cruise is, as always, very good and Thandie Newton is solid as a professional thief (although this aspect of her life is never really explored) who becomes Hunt’s love interest.

Australian actor Richard Roxburgh pops up in a supporting role but strangely has to put on what seems to be a South African accent. Maybe the film-makers think that South Africans are more believable as villains then Australians. Anyone familiar with the recent Hansie Cronje scandal will no doubt support this theory.

Don’t go to see M:I-2 expecting a spy thriller with a water tight plot. If you want that, rent the original Mission Impossible on video. M:I-2 is a action movie, pure and simple, and despite my initial reservations of the presence of director Woo, his direction is nothing short of brilliant.