Writer: Ian Yap

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast: NA
Plot: NA
Effects: NA
Cinematography: NA

Watch this if you liked: NA

It's pretty amazing how things blow up in "XXX 2", not only by sheer quantity, but also by who does the blowing-up. Honestly, every main character blows something up. We have Ice Cube as the new XXX, and he did in speedboats, cars and people. Samuel L Jackson reprises his role as Gibbons, the boss of XXX, and he blows up a high-tech bullet train. Our main baddy, Willem Defoe, blows up Gibbons' house. Best show however, goes to Xzibit (of "Pimp My Ride" fame). He blows up a chunk of the White House...with a stealth tank.

"XXX 2" doesn't stop. The action goes on and on and the only time you actually stop to catch your breath is when they reload the tank shells. Right from he start we're treated to the assault of the underground NSA base where Gibbons is in charge, by some well-equipped troopers. "XXX2" has lots of fresh watchamacallits, from a bunker base penetrating disc, to a neat, real time, flying bug that scopes the vicinity. It's very refreshing to see a huge bunch of good guys die right at the beginning, puts the show in a 'come-from-behind' perspective.

Of course, we'll see Gibbons and Shavers (the gadget guy from the prequel) escape, and enlist the help of Darius Stone to be the new XXX. Together with FBI agent Kyle Steel (Scott Speedman), they will challenge a foe deep within the US presidential cabinet.

"XXX 2" pits a team overflowing with attitude, against one with the greatest military power at its disposal. Imagine everything about black culture versus the modern American army. Hum-vees, trucks and cars, modified to almost unbelievable proportions match up to tanks, bullet trains, speedboats and even a battle cruiser. Don't expect to see a winner, almost everything that moves in this show goes ka-boom eventually.

There are points in the movie when the camera stays still, the shooting stops. That's when you'll notice the wonderful little smudges of acting. You can't really go wrong when you put Defoe, Strauss and Jackson in the movie. Ice Cube was never a shabby actor himself, although you would snicker a little. Don't get me wrong, his performance is excellent, he just doesn't look as mean as Vin Diesel. The blonde you see in the trailer is Charlie (Sunny Mabrey). Despite being rather eye-catching, she only does a few brief appearances in the movie, and she doesn't stand out well in them. The director should have put more work into her development, her Charlie character just doesn't link to anyone convincingly.

I could go on and on about this show but I'm going to stop here. Stop right here so that you will stop reading and get your ass into the cinemas to watch "XXX2: The Next Level". Unless of course, you're the kind who gets their kicks out of watching "Anne Of Green Gables".

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008