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But with original star Vin Diesel opting out of proceedings, they
definitely had their work cut out for them. Which makes it even more
astonishing to discover that this is merely the same-old same-old, only
less spectacular.
They may have changed the face, but he’s wearing the same old tattered clothes...
What
was done with stunts, is now done with computers, the splotch of plot
the first film encompassed has been excised by a transitory few lines
to drive the film forward, and the blueprint, is about as non-specific
as home-brand table salt.
Thankfully, there's the
relatively-charismatic and cheeky Ice Cube hogging the lens, replacing
Diesel, and spliced in between the boring bits, a couple of cool
stunts. I stress - a couple.
But was that enough to warrant a sequel?
If Willem Dafoe playing a villain in a sequel where the original star doesn't return isn't enough to tip you off (hello Speed 2!), the straightforward synopsis is probably enough to convince you that this is as by-the-numbers as a kids activity page.
Here goes : the previous xXx
is dead (well, they're not going to tell you that Vin Diesel wanted a
bigger payday, are they?), and ex-jailbird Darius Stone (Cube) is in.
With the assistance of gadgets-mad Toby (Michael Roof), agent Kyle
Steele (Scott Speedman, of Felicity and The Strangers),
and old pal/recruiter agent Augustus Gibbons (an under-utilised Samuel
L.Jackson), Stone's on the case to catch fraudulent White House local
George Deckert (Willem Dafoe, yawn...) before he can put into practice
his plan for World War IV.
Yep, four!
Cube is okay as
our hero, the stunts are passable (if not less impressive the bigger
they get - the finale, featuring an out-of-control train looks awful –
totally created by an I-Mac) and theres enough smart quips and slick
transport to keep viewers amused, but all in all xXx 2 is proof that Bond's newbie cousin only deserved the one jaunt.
Bring on the next 007 – at least they're usually worth the green.
DVD EXTRAS
There's nothing better on the disc that match the smashing sound and
awesome visuals, in fact everything on here has simply been ported over
from the DVD release (commentaries, deleted scenes, etc).
Conclusion:
Movie 45% Extras: 50%
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