xXx: State of the Union
2005 · Directed by Lee Tamahori
Original language: English
- action
- adventure
- crime
- thriller
The story
Darius Stone's criminal record and extreme sports obsession make him the perfect candidate to be the newest XXX agent. He must save the U.S. government from a deadly conspiracy led by five-star general and Secretary of Defense George Deckert.
What it’s like
Bright, glossy studio-action textures: lens flares off polished government corridors, saturated blue-steel palettes, fast handheld cutting through helicopter interiors and snowy mountain ridges, and a Washington DC that looks more like a sleek corporate set than a city. The score runs on driving rock and electronic percussion, with bass hits that punctuate every chase and explosion. Pacing is relentless and rarely pauses for breath, so the mood is loud, slick and pleasurably disposable, a wisecracking popcorn ride rather than anything contemplative. Violence is frequent and stylised: gunfights, hand-to-hand brawls, vehicle wrecks and explosions, with blood present but not lingered on, and no sexual content of note. Tone stays playful and cocky, with a mismatched-buddy energy between the lead and his veteran sidekicks, and the arc is simply a reckless outsider learning to take the mission seriously. Best for a loud Friday night with friends, or for anyone who wants high-energy escapism with no emotional weight and plenty of ridiculous spectacle. Not suited to anyone seeking gentleness or quiet.
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