xXx: State of the Union (2005)

A secret underground NSA bunker is attacked and Agent Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) barely escapes. Sixteen agents are killed. Gibbons selects prison inmate Darius Stone (Ice Cube) as the new XXX agent. Stone escapes from prison with Gibbons' help and meets up with his crime partner Zeke (Xzibit) and ex-girlfriend Lola Jackson (Nona Gaye). Stone has to go back to the NSA bunker to retrieve a computer drive while being guarded by agent Kyle Steele (Scott Speedman). General Deckert (Willem Dafoe) is behind the scheme to heighten the threat to the nation. Stone was in prison for hitting him and now he's the Secretary of Defense.Simply put, this franchise misses Vin Diesel. This is no way to build a new franchise. The plot never really matters in these. The first one wasn't a work of genius. It was Vin Diesel playing around in ridiculous Bond plus adventures. The plot is as overblown and incoherent as the first one. I don't have any major problems with Ice Cube. He brings a completely different vibe. That's not really the important point. The important point is he's different. Anyways, he's not better by any means.

In the bundle of all that it lacks, I feel that the movie is ignored for its imagery. XXX 2 was well-received in its American premiere. The film is brooding, intense and depressing. One knows from the start that there is no way for it to really end well. I found the film a little too dark and a little too slow as it moves to what seems like an inevitable bitter end. I liked it because it's fun. It has its fair share of problems. I think it could use some editing to speed the pace a bit. The film is hard to watch at times and difficult to call enjoyable, but the story is still powerful. All in all, seven out of ten.

After reading the reviews I was hesitant to watch this movie but turns out its a good movie! Ice cube is awesome too. I never seen the first movie but after seeing this one I like this one just fine. Also Other great actors in this movie. Great plot line. But I guess some people just can't be made happy. I am a huge movie guru and this definitely is added to my like list. There are a lot of goofs and some of them are super obvious but there okay. I am somebody that observes errors quickly. I also love the music in this movie it is very fitting for the characters and the story line. And OMG the CARS in this movie are so bad a**. I like that there's music by Ice cube and xzibit considering their actors in the movie lol.

-10 out of 10 I should probably put in a joke to soften the blow of what this movie has done to you to bring you here (yes.. wipe off that puke already). This movie doesn't even need a spoiler button. you'll be left traumatized losing your ability to spell out 'wtf'.Ice cube as a lead? that just cemented the energy of the movie.. he really was a bad ass(not being a compliment). he should have just stuck with his gibberish in songs, it doesn't work when you randomly spaz out unendingly in front of the camera.The only disappointment is that Samuel l Jackson took part in conning the millions.. and millions.