Explosive, Excessive, Exciting

RATING: B-

Starring: Ice Cube, Willem Dafoe, Scott Speedman, Peter Strauss, Michael Roof, Xibit, Nona Gaye, Sunny Mabry and Samuel L. Jackson. Music by Marco Beltrami, Executive Producers Todd Garner, Rob Cohen, Derek Dauchy, Written by Simon Kinberg, Produced by Neil H. Moritz, Arnie L. Schmidt, Directed by Lee Tamahori.

Rated PG-13, Running Time 101 mins., 2.40 to 1 Anamorphic Scope Aspect Ratio.

"The fate of the world in the hands of a bunch of hustlers and thieves." No, these words are not from some routine "Mad TV" comedy skit, but the mouth of "Nigga With An Attitude" Ice Cube as he rounds up his neighborhood posse to defend the nation's capital.  "XXX: State of the Union" is the surprisingly entertaining follow up to the Vin Diesel action thriller "XXX" which had the clever premise of turning an extreme sports player into a secret agent, but never lived up to its potential. With only Samuel L. Jackson's mentor type character and gadget freak Michael Roof returning, the producers have recruited "Die Another Day" director Lee Tamahori and taken the series in a fresher direction.

After an attack on their hidden "XXX" headquarters (ridiculous, I know), National Security Agency director Jackson realizes that forces with inside government intel are up to something and decides to take his operation underground. With word that Diesel's XXX agent Xander Cage has been killed in action, Jackson decides to take his recruitment process to the next level. In actuality, Diesel's stunt double was killed in a lame dvd only short film and Triple-X himself decided to abandon life in "the Xander Zone" and gross $100 million as a baby-sitter, but that's another story. With the annoying Roof and his gadgets in tow Jackson decides to "go off the grid" and recruit his former protégé Darius Stone (Cube). Stone, a top notch Marine, has spent the last nine years imprisoned after assaulting former General Willem Dafoe over a failed mission that killed several soldiers. After Jackson busts him out of prison, Cube has to immediately take a detour before they can begin their mission. He has to satisfy what an imprisoned man craves after nine years...a desire for several hamburgers, fries and a milk shake.

Jackson suspects that Dafoe, now the Secretary of Defense may be behind the attack and is planning to stage a takeover that will replace the President (Peter Strauss in a performance that borders on parody). To gather intel Cube will have to enlist the aid of Capital Hill insider Sunny Mabry who proves you can survive after starring in the straight to video "Species III". Mabry's flirtatious behavior intrigues Cube, but we know there's no well in hell we'll see a black rapper make love to a blonde in a Hollywood movie. To please the masses, sexy custom car dealer Nona Gaye manages to insert herself into the picture as Cube's former flame, though the sparks between them are never ignited.

As Dafoe and his corrupt officers begin to anticipate Jackson and Cube's every move, they also have to contend with the fact that honest NSA agent Scott Speedman is on their tail. Speedman isn't sure whether the two have gone rogue or are planning to create some panic of their own. More disturbing than his relentless pursuit is the way Speedman literally tries to chew thin air as he says his dialogue. It's difficult to tell whether he's trying to act intense or exercising his jaw. Now that I think about it, every actor in this picture appears to be trying to out act one another. Dafoe showcases his delusional intensity, Jackson's loud demeanor almost succeeds in drawing attention away from his "Eddie Munster" toupee and Speedman has that "what happened to Felicity" look on his face. All kidding aside, the over-the-top acting is actually one of the elements that makes this action picture entertaining.

New Zealand native Tamahori has directed everything from powerful drama like "Once Were Warriors" to savage tales of survival like "The Edge" and of course the last James Bond movie. He's adept at blowing things up and ludicrous action sequences like Speedman cabled to a helicopter Spider-man style or Cube racing at 220 mph after a Presidential bullet train (?) in a $500,000 custom sports car. Although the action and visual effects of "XXX 2" begin to resemble a video game the fast pace and sheer insanity of it all makes it pleasing to the eye. Not to mention, the film is full of plenty of humor; the type of silly humor that you wouldn't find funny in real life but appreciate here because of the way its delivered. A scene where Cube and his crew "jack" a tank and another involving two truck drivers who discover their shipment of cheese is actually a government weapons stockpile stick in memory.

Unlike Vin Diesel, Ice Cube isn't searching for his ethnic identity or showcasing amazement at the impossible acts he pulls. He's already confident in who he is and what he can do. The downside is that it eliminates the character's arc and leaves little room for development. Then again, we don't come to secret agent movies to see the character evolve, only to kick some ass. The casting of Ice Cube, what I initially perceived to be the anchor that would pull the film down, is actually what keeps "XXX 2" afloat. In no way is his character a role model, but the confidence and "blackness" he projects are almost like a force of nature.

If you want to get political, Ice Cube's character is ultimately a government drone that blows things up and takes on the bad guys to liberate the nation's capital (and defend white America). With rock band Korn's rendition of "Fight The Power" blaring on the soundtrack, nothing could be farther from the truth. The movie isn't so much about what he's fighting to protect but how he does it. By recruiting rapper Xzibit and the crew of "Pimp My Ride" to help him defend the powers that be, Cube may be fighting for the conservatives but he does it entertainingly with style and humor.