Despite its title, director Lee Tamahori’s XXX: State of the Union is neither pornographic nor political. And notwithstanding its protagonist’s moniker and the presence of Samuel L. Jackson’s NSA leader Augustus Gibbons, this by-the-numbers sequel, written by Simon Kinberg, has virtually nothing to do with its predecessor, Rob Cohen’s XXX.
Driven into hiding after a covert military squadron ambushes his underground HQ, Gibbons recruits Darius Stone (Ice Cube), a prison inmate and former special ops comrade, to be the new XXX and uncover the culprit behind the deadly attack. Unlike Vin Diesel’s original XXX Xander Cage (who, we’re informed in passing, has unceremoniously died in Bora Bora), Stone is an L.A. thug turned commando more interested in jacking cars than extreme sports, and the less-portly-than-usual Cube—who, decked out in a black skullcap and matching hoodie, likes to quote Tupac and trade racial barbs with his xenophobic enemies (“Hillbilly!” “Homeboy!”)—plays him like an action movie version of Boyz n the Hood’s Doughboy.
While avoiding an F.B.I. agent (Scott Speedman) who wants to put him back behind bars, Stone uncovers a coup d’etat conspiracy being orchestrated by Secretary of Defense George Deckert (Willem Dafoe), who opposes President James Sanford’s (Peter Strauss) desire to cut military spending in favor of promoting a kinder, gentler foreign policy. Were the film really interested in peace over war, though, it wouldn’t so gleefully indulge in consequence-free guns-and-explosions mayhem that promotes violence as a cool, admirable course of action.
But even lamer than XXX: State of the Union’s commentary on contemporary American diplomacy is its limp action. Coupled with the film’s second-rate Bond title sequence and attempt at gadget-heavy espionage, replete with Michael Roof’s wisecracking techie sidekick and Nona Gaye and Xzibit’s ride-pimping gearheads, just about everything here feels like it’s been ported over from Tamahori’s woeful Die Another Day.
The one person capable of redeeming such dreck might have been Cube, whose one hilariously badass moment involves launching a motorboat onto a suspension bridge and into a cop car, creating a photogenic inferno he can strut past with “watchoo-lookin-at?” NWA attitude. Yet saddled with a bland superhero whose primary purpose is to scowl and crack one-liners, the amusingly cantankerous star is powerless to redress the wobbly state of this franchise.
Since 2001, we've brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.
