In “xXx: State of the Union,” Ice Cube plays a military man who becomes a new kind of spy. His character, Darius Stone, is a tough guy who must stop the bad guys from taking over. There are plenty of explosions and fights, but the movie lacks the cool factor of its predecessor. It’s like a watered-down version of James Bond with more guns and less charm.
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Review
In the summer of 2005, cinema-goers were eagerly anticipating the sequel to the high-octane action movie xXx. With Vin Diesel choosing not to return for the follow-up, the filmmakers looked to rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube to fill his shoes. The result was xXx: State of the Union, a thrill-ride that aimed to transport audiences straight into the heart of Washington politics.
The plot follows former soldier Darius Stone (Ice Cube), who is recruited by a government agency to stop a group of rogue agents who have seized control of America’s defense system. Alongside his team of misfits, including tech genius Toby Lee Shavers (played by Michael Roof), Stone must use his military skills and street smarts to take down this dangerous threat.
Although initially facing some criticism for replacing Diesel in the lead role, Ice Cube proved himself an able successor. His tough-talking persona suited the character of Darius Stone well and brought a fresh energy to the franchise. Supporting performances from Samuel L. Jackson as Agent Augustus Gibbons and Willem Dafoe as villainous Secretary of Defense George Deckert are also notable.
One standout scene sees Stone escaping from an explosion on a motorbike in slow motion, complete with a backdrop of flaming wreckage – it’s an unforgettable moment that truly captures the movie’s high-intensity action.
However, while xXx: State of the Union succeeds in delivering thrilling set pieces and witty one-liners, it can occasionally feel heavy-handed in its execution. The political commentary can verge on being preachy at times – perhaps unsurprising given that director Lee Tamahori was known for tackling socio-political issues in his previous films such as Once Were Warriors.
The film also faced some production challenges during filming, with Tamahori reportedly clashing with both producers and Ice Cube on set. However, despite these obstacles, xXx: State of the Union managed to make a significant impact at the box office, earning over $71 million worldwide.
The score by Marco Beltrami and score/soundtrack collaboration with Ice Cube’s hip-hop group Westside Connection added an extra layer of energy to the film. The theme song “The Payback” by James Brown featured prominently throughout the movie, adding to its overall style and tone.
Critics were divided on the movie, with some praising its bold approach to genre filmmaking while others criticized it for being too convoluted. However, one thing is for sure – xXx: State of the Union remains a fun action flick that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. Its unique blend of politics and thrills makes for an entertaining ride that is not easy to forget.
In conclusion, xXx: State of the Union may not have lived up to the original’s success critically or commercially, but it remains a worthy addition to any action fan’s watchlist. Ice Cube’s performance as Darius Stone gives a fresh spin on the series, while Tamahori’s direction adds his unique vision into a major blockbuster.
It might be enough for this moviegoer in search of some adrenaline-pumping entertainment and political commentary all rolled into one. Who could turn down that kind of wild ride?
Technical Data
- Runtime : 101
- Release : 2005-04-27
- Genre : Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Cast : Ice Cube as Darius Stone / xXx, Samuel L. Jackson as Agent Augustus Gibbons, Willem Dafoe as Gen. George Octavius Deckert, Scott Speedman as Agent Kyle Steele, Peter Strauss as President James Sandford
- Crew : Mark Goldblatt as Editor, Christopher Boyes as Sound Designer, Bill Abbott as Music Editor, Steven Rosenblum as Editor, Sanja Milković Hays as Costume Design
- Popularity 31.788
- Budget : $60,000,000
- Revenue : $71,073,932
- Company : Revolution Studios, Original Film, Columbia Pictures
- Summary : Darius Stone’s criminal record and extreme sports obsession make him the perfect candidate to be the newest XXX agent. He must save the U.S. government from a deadly conspiracy led by five-star general and Secretary of Defense George Deckert.
- Tagline : Prepare for the next level
