XXX 2 - The Next Level [DVD] [2005]

The buff looking stars display excessive amounts of testosterone, especially former rap artist Ice Cube in the title role; who is ‘rescued’ from prison by Augustus Gibbons (played by Sam Jackson, reprising his role as xXx secret agency head-honcho). xXx2 continues the legacy left by Vin Diesel, who took the role in The Pacifier (also out in May) in preference to this sequel! Ice Cube plays the anti-hero with A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E; but this wears so thin, so quickly that it leads to the conclusion that this ex-rapper will soon be an ex-film star – his name alone reflects the frigidity of his acting.

The lack of directorial invention suggests too much of the budget was spent hiring the films BIG names. How is it that Mr Samuel ‘soon to appear in possibly the biggest selling movie EVER (Star Wars: Episode III)’ Jackson feels the need to accept roles which are such a waste of his obvious talents. Chuckle at the silliness of Willem Dafoe applying his legendary voice to mercilessly cheesy lines like “Some men die. Some others live”; further evidence of the disparity between actor and script quality.

The mix of cars, guns and rappers may seem a recipe for success (or the ingredients of a normal Friday night out in Beverly Hills) but the only thing that blew me away was the film’s illogical and crude storyline. The moral lesson of American racial injustice is lost when all the black cast appear wielding guns, stealing cars or wearing belts for skirts. The movies only real success is in utterly confusing the audience: where is the logic in an escaped convict and former navy seal (xXx) attempting to ‘blend in’ by driving a [purple to orange] colour changing cadillac?

Whilst the gadgets are ‘inventive’ and action explosive from the off, this is perhaps too mind-numbing for even a typical American audience to appreciate. An exciting beginning is followed by a brief introduction to a plot which is immediately absurd – increasingly so as the film develops. The xXx franchise (unfortunately set to continue with a third instalment; trilogies being the ‘in-thing’) is designed to be the working mans James Bond. However, if xXx were put in a boxing ring with Bond he’d be left cowering in the corner like the big jessy he is.

xXx2 is a spectacularly obnoxious offering and suffers the grievance of ever been made; it’s a film dressed in a tuxedo but living off kebabs.

Some of the action shots were like they were from Thunderbirds (orignal series) they were just missing the wires.

The only other person that I did like out of the whole film was Xzibit who was funny like he is on Punk My Ride (MTV) so that made it up, but only just.

My last comment would be to bring back the old directors, writers, actors and make a decent film.