Mission: Impossible II

What’s it about?

IMF agent Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney, Australia to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called “Chimera.”

The facts 

• Directed by John Woo (Face/Off, A Better Tomorrow)
• Starring Tom Cruise, Dougray Scott, Thandiwe Newton, Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh
• English language
• Runtime: 123 minutes

Why did it get this rating? 

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

All Mission: Impossible films carry an M rating, but the content can vary, and tends to get stronger as the franchise goes on – our breakdown below is here to help parents and whānau decide what’s suitable for their tamariki or rangatahi.

Violence 

This film contains constant action sequences depicting frequent fighting violence and large-scale destruction where many people are shot, injured, and killed. The constant risk of certain characters being killed may unsettle or frighten some younger viewers, but blood is rarely shown directly.

The plot surrounds the deadly “Chimera” virus, and in one scene, a man is shown to be suffering painfully from the effects of the virus.

Some of the strongest moments of violence include:

• A prolonged car chase scene involving gunfire, crashes, and explosions.
• One man snaps another man’s neck offscreen, but there is no gore.
• There is a devastating plane crash. Though no deaths are directly shown, it is implied and said that all its passengers are killed.
• A man threatens to cut off another man’s finger with a cigar-cutter and eventually cuts off the very tip of the finger. Some blood is briefly seen as the man gasps in pain and the scene cuts.
• An antagonist accidentally kills one of his own men, which some may find shocking.
• In one scene, a woman injects herself, leaving a clear mark where the injection occured.

Sexual themes 

Two characters are hiding in a bathtub, with her straddling him. 

In a romantic montage we see Ethan and a woman kiss and cuddle, it’s clear they are both topless but no further nudity is shown. 

Offensive language

This film contains some offensive language, with words like “a*s,” “bast*rd,” and “b*tch.” There are a few sexist words said by male antagonists towards women.

When content stays with you: 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Brain development – how it works, why it matters
• What the M?! (Blog)