xXx: State of the Union

From the creators of "Die Another Day"! XXX: The Next Level as released on the Philippines. Having said that, it wouldn't be a surprise that this movie was just one action scene after another. Although a lot of negative feedbacks are here about the plot and the characters this movie is sure to satisfy the typical action movie fanatic. True to the reputation of that aforementioned James Bond movie there never was a dull moment in the movie. The pace and the tension of this movie just keeps the story flowing with slight stops to help you catch your breath and ingest the movie if aren't trashing it already. I admit that upon seeing Ice Cube as the one to play the role of the new Triple X I was skeptical about his capabilities. Having the typical role of a bad-ass, the attitude and situations really suit him. I wasn't totally disappointed. However, it was sort of a plot hole for them to consider Xander Cage as being less of a character than Darius Stone. I actually didn't like that idea. I'm still confused whether their mention of the previous Triple X being killed as a cover up or a fact. Hey, this is a gov't agency! One can never assume. As usual for most action movies this is another marketing scheme for brand products from Ice Cube's backpack to his gadgets and, of course, the hot cars, which I admit are the top of the line. If you're just another movie fanatic after a good rush this movie is for you - bang for your buck. But for the discriminating movie fan this will hardly satisfy you. I actually liked this movie regardless of the whole lame plot. Hey, you can't please everyone!

Anyone going to see this movie should not be expecting something great, just something to pass the time. Although there are many criticisms about this movie I don't see how people are saying that it is so much worse than the original. As bad as this one was, the original was far worse. At least the character in this one has some sort if training to be in the situations that he's in, Vin Diesel's character in the fist one was just a stunt man who had not training whatsoever. And there can be many criticisms about Ice Cube's acting but he was miles better than Diesel was. At least when Cube said a line it didn't sound like he was reading directly off the script Overall, a bad movie but better than the original.