 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
XXX: State of the Union
- Review Date: July 24, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Loud, raucous, and predictable action flick.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie includes intense action sequences, some strong language ("bitch" is a favorite for the men), and sexual innuendo (the women show cleavage repeatedly). The first scene is full of troops in black SWAT-style uniforms shooting automatic weapons and being blown up. Characters drink and smoke (and Darius is fond of French fries). Violence takes the form of explosions (so bodies fly in front of bursting flames), missiles fired, shoot-outs, vehicle chases, and hand-to-hand fighting. Many anonymous bodies fall.
What's the story?
In this sequel, Darius, the new Agent XXX (Ice Cube replacing Vin Diesel, whose character is pronounced dead and never seen in this film), is an ex-gangsta, very tough, very independent-minded. He's actually in prison, looking mean, when his old associate, NSA Agent Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), recruits him to defend Washington DC against invasion by U.S. troops, led by the Secretary of Defense Deckert (Willem Dafoe). Darius and his team -- including Zeke (Xzibit), Lola (Nona Gaye), and token "white boys," risk-taking agent Steele (Scott Speedman) and gadget geek Toby (Michael Roof) -- battle the guys by hijacking a tank in downtown DC, sneaking onto an aircraft carrier and a speeding bullet train. Deckert is mad because President Sanford (Peter Strauss) wants to cut the military budget and make friends with everyone, including folks in the Middle East and American inner cities. Old-school Deckert wants to bring democracy by killing all U.S. enemies. And D does the right thing.
Is it any good?
The plot of XXX: STATE OF THE UNION is simple and ridiculous on its surface. But Cube makes an unusual action hero, cooler and shorter than most, charming and vaguely complex. "D" has a history, a good heart, and a stunning fearlessness, jumping off bridges and onto flying helicopters, even though his small frame doesn't seem capable of enduring such wild stunts (he is not at all like Diesel's "extreme sports" guy).
If the outcome is never in question (after much mayhem, the good guys win), D's political position is very unusual in an action movie: he fights for U.S. values and ideals, bringing a mostly black, ragtag militia to stop the official military (on orders from Deckert) from overrunning DC. The sight of DC saved by a hip-hop crew (D quotes Tupac, inspiring the President to do the same) is pretty remarkable. Still, its power-to-the-people optimism is achieved by loud, raucous, predictable action.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the threat against the U.S. government (both scary and familiar in action movies), and the ways characters justify violence (to defend the nation, spread freedom). Families might also discuss Darius' very vocal opposition to racism and his moral decisions, how he chooses a right side (and the right girlfriend) when all choices involve violence. Why does he reject the abstract idea of authority but decide to serve the President? How is his friendship with Gibbons (a father figure) important in these decisions?
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AGE
STUPID STUPID STUPID
THE MOST STUPID MOVIE EVER! DO NOT SEE IT..... EVER!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Boring and same old action flick
Dont waste your precious time to see this spend the time with your family and friends
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Lee Tamahori |
| Cast: | Ice Cube, Samuel L. Jackson, Scott Speedman |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 29, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | July 26, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of intense action violence and some language |
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