Mission Impossible II (2000)
Directed by John Woo
Released in theatres on May 24, 2000
Credit: Additional Music/MI2 Band
Overview: New Year 2000 and I received a call from Hans Zimmer in LA. I'd known Hans for many years, but I wasn't expecting one of those "Your mission should you choose to accept it" moments. Either way I was onboard, just in time for Hans to dismiss all action temp score and embark on a far more eclectic approach to the soundtrack than many had anticipated.
Highlights: There's a taste of flamenco throughout this score, "Seville" being an effective usage. Ethan and Nyahs' car chase was played out over a backdrop of handclaps, footstomps and flamenco guitar, which incidentally never made it to the soundtrack album, why is this always the way? "Bio-Techno" was fun in a "This tape will self destruct" kind of way, the real challenge became "Mano a Mano", the grand finale between good and evil. Good was triumphant and went on to make M:i:3.