Bland nostalgia and melodrama. Not as much a sequel as an unnecessary retread, complete with an childish 80s worldview that the good guys and bad guys are simple to identify. After 20 years of endless war, how can you take any of this seriously, or even suspend doubt for a popcorn flick?

Some of the action scenes were still fun, and there were a few legitimately laugh-out-loud moments. But, the unnamed enemy was so lightly drawn as to be a parody. (We never even see their faces... who are these guys, Cobra?) The entire Penny relationship didn't add anything, either; that would've been an easy 20-30 minutes cut right there.

If you loved the first one, sure, check it out. But if you didn't, don't expect a great action movie, particularly by Cruise standards.