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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|2005 American action spy film by Lee Tamahori}}<br />
{{Infobox film<br />
| name = XXX: State of the Union<br />
| image = Xxx2poster.jpg<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = Theatrical release poster<br />
| director = [[Lee Tamahori]]<br />
| producer = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Neal H. Moritz]]<br />
* Arne L. Schmidt<br />
}}<br />
| writer = [[Simon Kinberg]]<br />
| based_on = {{based on|Characters|[[Rich Wilkes]]}}<br />
| starring = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Ice Cube]]<br />
* [[Willem Dafoe]]<br />
* [[Scott Speedman]]<br />
* [[Peter Strauss]]<br />
}}<br />
| music = [[Marco Beltrami]]<br />
| cinematography = [[David Tattersall]]<br />
| editing = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Mark Goldblatt]]<br />
* [[Steven Rosenblum]]<br />
* Todd E. Miller<br />
}}<br />
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Columbia Pictures]]<br />
* [[Revolution Studios]]<br />
* [[Original Film]]<br />
}}<br />
| distributor = [[Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group#Sony Pictures Releasing|Sony Pictures Releasing]]<br />
| released = {{Film date|2005|04|29}}<br />
| runtime = 101 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 100:47--><ref>{{cite web|title=''XXX 2 - THE NEXT LEVEL'' (12A)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BFF205243/|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=2005-04-04|access-date=2012-10-19}}</ref><br />
| country = United States<br />
| language = English<br />
| budget = $113 million<ref name="numbers" /><ref name="thewrap">{{cite web| url= http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/giglis-real-price-tag-or-how-studios-lie-about-budgets-30665 | title= 'Gigli's' Real Price Tag — Or, How Studios Lie About Budgets | first= Brent |last= Lang |date=September 2, 2011 |work= TheWrap.com |access-date= June 29, 2017}}</ref><br />
| gross = $71.1 million<ref name="numbers" /><br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''''XXX: State of the Union''''' (released as '''''XXX<sup>2</sup>: The Next Level''''' and '''''XXX: State of Emergency''''' outside North America) is a 2005 American [[action film|action]] [[spy film]] directed by [[Lee Tamahori]] and a sequel to the 2002 film ''[[XXX (2002 film)|XXX]]''. It is the second installment of the [[XXX (film series)|''XXX'' film series]], and was produced by [[Revolution Studios]] for [[Columbia Pictures]].<br />
<br />
[[Vin Diesel]] and [[Rob Cohen]], the lead actor and director of the original, had signed onto a sequel before the first film had opened, but both dropped out over scripting issues,<ref name="The Movie Blog">{{cite web|title=Good Move! Vin Diesel turns down 'xXx 2: State of the Union'|date=16 June 2004|url=http://www.themovieblog.com/2004/good-move-vin-diesel-turns-down-xxx-2-state-of-the-union/|publisher=The Movie Blog|access-date=21 August 2011}}</ref> while Cohen worked on ''[[Stealth (film)|Stealth]]''. Cohen remained as an [[executive producer]]. [[Ice Cube]] took over the lead role as the new Triple X agent and Tamahori was brought in to direct, following the huge commercial success of the [[James Bond]] film ''[[Die Another Day]]'', which he directed. Two different scripts were prepared for the film, and the one written by [[Simon Kinberg]] was selected; the other script featured a radically different plot.<br />
<br />
Released on April 29, 2005, ''State of the Union'' was a [[box-office bomb]] and it was criticized by reviewers, mainly for the performances, an illogical story, and overuse of [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]-based visual effects for most of the action sequences. ''State of the Union'' is the last film in the ''XXX'' film series to be distributed by Columbia Pictures, as [[Paramount Pictures]] became the distributor for its future films, starting with ''[[XXX: Return of Xander Cage]]'' in 2017.<br />
<br />
==Plot==<br />
In [[Virginia]], unknown assailants breach an underground [[NSA]] bunker run by Agent Augustus Gibbons who fends off the attackers before barely escaping with Toby Shavers. To find help from an XXX with more attitude, Gibbons meets his former comrade, Darius Stone, a former [[United States Navy SEALs|U.S. Navy SEAL]], who is currently 9-years into his 20-year sentence in [[United States Disciplinary Barracks|Leavenworth]] for disobeying orders and breaking the jaw of ex-four star [[Four-star rank|General]] George Deckert, who is now the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defence]]. NSA Agent Kyle Steele, informed that Xander Cage was apparently killed at the same time in Bora Bora, leads the investigation into the attack on the bunker.<br />
<br />
Gibbons helps to break Stone out of prison, who then sets himself up as their leader as he mistrusts Gibbons. Stone leads them to meet Zeke, his old partner in crime, and Lola Jackson, his ex-girlfriend, who now runs an exotic car shop. Lola agrees to let Stone, Gibbons, and Shavers hide in her shop in exchange for the [[Pontiac GTO#1967|'67 GTO]] that Shavers modified. Stone then infiltrates the NSA bunker, where Gibbons had instructed him to recover a hard drive, while Gibbons returns to his house to recover evidence. However, Deckert and Sergeant Alabama "Bama" Cobb attack and apparently kill Gibbons before destroying the house to cover up the evidence. Stone meets up with Gibbons' contact, Charlie Mayweather, to get information. Charlie directs Stone to a party where Stone recognizes that Deckert's bodyguards are members of his old SEAL Team unit, before overhearing Deckert arguing with General Jack Pettibone [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|VCJCS]]. Stone goes to Charlie's safe house but is framed for murdering Pettibone, realizing that she is involved in the conspiracy.<br />
<br />
The police arrive, and Steele arrives to talk with Stone before escaping. While Shavers hacks into [[the Pentagon]] to retrieve Deckert's plans, Steele researches Stone and discovers his imprisonment occurred because when Deckert ordered his SEAL team to start a fire to clear civilians, Stone and half of the unit rebelled, resulting in Stone being court-martialled. Stone infiltrates Deckert's troops aboard an aircraft carrier and discovers Gibbons alive, being held prisoner along with the rest of their SEAL team unit. Stone realizes that the men who sided with him against Deckert 9 years previously are prisoners, while those who stayed loyal are Deckert's security. Mayweather is alerted to Stone's presence, forcing Stone to escape.<br />
<br />
After retrieving the plans, Stone learns that Deckert is planning a [[Coup d'état|coup]] against President James Sanford. Stone contacts Steele and shows him the plans. When Steele notes that his plans are not clear proof, Stone frustratingly leaves, to Steele's initial disbelief. During a conversation with Deckert, Steele realizes Stone was right. He finds Stone and tells him that Deckert wants to kill Sanford and [[United States presidential line of succession|his successors]] so he can replace Sanford as president, in opposition to Sanford's current plans to dismantle various military presences to focus on foreign aid.<br />
<br />
Stone, Steele, and Shavers enlist the aid of Zeke and his crew. Together, they rob a civilian truck that is secretly hauling guns and equipment for the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] while disguised as a cheese truck. They end up hijacking a tank, and Stone helps Steele penetrate the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] building where Sanford's [[State of the Union Address]] is being held. A shootout starts, and Gibbons kills Mayweather. Deckert and Cobb abduct Sanford, and with Gibbons now free they escape on a [[High-speed rail|bullet train]]. Lola arrives with a [[Ford Shelby Cobra Concept]], which Stone uses to chase and infiltrate the train. He engages and kills Cobb before engaging Deckert, while Gibbons flies a helicopter which Steele extracts Sanford by. Stone jumps out after Gibbons derails and destroys the train, killing Deckert.<br />
<br />
The story is covered up, and Deckert is buried and branded as a hero. Sanford awards Steele and the unknown soldier (Stone) the [[Medal of Honor]]. Stone is officially released from prison, and keeping his promise not to interfere with Lola's life, says his goodbyes and returns to his former lifestyle. In the now-rebuilt NSA Headquarters, Gibbons, Steele, and Shavers discuss potential qualities for the next Triple X agent.<br />
<br />
==Cast==<br />
* [[Ice Cube]] as Darius Stone <br />
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as Augustus Gibbons<br />
* [[Willem Dafoe]] as General George Deckert<br />
* [[Scott Speedman]] as NSA Agent Kyle Steele<br />
* [[Peter Strauss]] as President James Sanford<br />
* [[Xzibit]] as Zeke<br />
* [[Michael Roof]] as NSA Agent Toby Shavers<br />
* [[Sunny Mabrey]] as Charlie Mayweather<br />
* [[Nona Gaye]] as Lola Jackson<br />
* [[Bruce Bruce]] as passenger in truck<br />
* John G. Connolly as Alabama Cobb<br />
* Ramon De Ocampo as NSA Agent Meadows<br />
<br />
==Soundtrack==<br />
{{Main|XXX: State of the Union (soundtrack)}}<br />
A soundtrack containing hip hop and alternative rock was released on April 26, 2005, through [[Jive Records]]. It peaked at #117 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], #48 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, and #5 on the Top Soundtracks chart.<br />
<br />
==Sequel==<br />
{{main|XXX: Return of Xander Cage}}<br />
<br />
==Reception==<br />
<br />
===Box office===<br />
''XXX: State of the Union'' grossed $26.9 million in the United States and Canada and $44.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $71.1 million, against a reported production budget of $60 million.<ref name="numbers">{{cite web|title=XXX: State of the Union (2005)|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2005/XXX2.php|publisher=The Numbers|access-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref> According to ''The Wrap.com'' the production budget was a reported $87 million, but Revolution Studios spent a total of $113.1 million.<ref name="thewrap" /><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-budgets-idUSTRE7815GK20110902 |title = Studios fudge numbers when it comes to budgets|newspaper = Reuters|date = 2 September 2011}}</ref><br />
<br />
It opened on April 29, 2005, and grossed $12.7 million in its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' and ''The Interpreter''.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 2, 2005 |author1=Brandon Gray |title='Hitchhiker' Beams, 'XXX' Reamed |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3916891140/ |website=Box Office Mojo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2005/05/04/at-the-box-office-10/|title=AT THE BOX OFFICE|date=4 May 2005 }}</ref><br />
<br />
===Critical response===<br />
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 17%, based on 138 reviews, with an average rating of 3.84/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Even more absurd and implausible than the first ''xXx'' movie, ''State of the Union'' is less inspired and technically competent than its predecessor."<ref>{{cite web | title = XXX: State of the Union (2005) | work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx2_state_of_the_union/ | publisher = Fandango Media }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 37%, based on reviews from 31 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/movie/xxx-state-of-the-union| title = XXX: State of the Union reviews | work = [[Metacritic]] }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade B+ on scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |access-date= 2019-05-22 |archive-date= 2018-12-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status= dead }}</ref><br />
<br />
Boo Allen of the Denton Record Chronicle called Ice Cube's XXX character "a chubby, surly, incomprehensible action hero".<ref>{{cite web | title = ROTTEN TOMATOES: Just what we need, a chubby, surly, incomprehensible action hero | website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx2_state_of_the_union/articles/1384898/just_what_we_need_a_chubby_surly_incomprehensible_action_hero |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211134008/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx2_state_of_the_union/articles/1384898/just_what_we_need_a_chubby_surly_incomprehensible_action_hero |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }}</ref> Brian Orndorf of FilmJerk.com compared watching the film to running "headfirst at top speed into a brick wall".<ref>{{cite web |title= Reviews - XXX: State of the Union | url = https://www.filmjerk.com/reviews/2005/04/29/xxx-state-of-the-union/ | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061020030847/http://www.filmjerk.com/reviews/article.php?id_rev=566 |archive-date= 2006-10-20|website=FilmJerk.com| date = 29 April 2005 }}</ref> David Hiltbrand of the ''[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' said "the plot swings between pathetically implausible and aggressively stupid".<ref>http://ae.philly.com/entertainment/ui/philly/movie.html?id=301309&reviewId=17886{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Some critics liked the film. Mack Bates of the ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]'' praised Ice Cube's "trademark charisma and street sensibility,"<ref>http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=322097{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> while [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called it "that rare B movie that’s rooted in gut-level stirrings of power and retaliation".<ref>{{cite magazine | date=4 May 2005 | author = Owen Gleiberman | author-link = Owen Gleiberman | magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]] | title=Movie Review: XXX: State of the Union | url= https://ew.com/article/2005/05/16/xxx-state-union-3/}}</ref> Paul Arendt of the [[BBC]] said, "Viewed on its own trashy terms, it succeeds brilliantly".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/04/25/xxx2_the_next_level_2005_review.shtml | title = XXX2: The Next Level | author = Paul Arendt | date = 28 April 2005 | work = BBC }}</ref><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* {{IMDb title|0329774|XXX: State of the Union}}<br />
* {{allMovie title|291135|XXX: State of the Union}}<br />
* {{Metacritic film|title=XXX: State of the Union}}<br />
* {{Mojo title|xxx2|XXX: State of the Union}}<br />
* {{rotten-tomatoes|xxx_state_of_the_union}}<br />
<br />
{{XXX}}<br />
{{Lee Tamahori}}<br />
{{Simon Kinberg}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:XXX: State of the Union}}<br />
[[Category:XXX (film series)|*2]]<br />
[[Category:2005 films]]<br />
[[Category:2005 action thriller films]]<br />
[[Category:2000s spy films]]<br />
[[Category:Techno-thriller films]]<br />
[[Category:American action thriller films]]<br />
[[Category:American spy films]]<br />
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]<br />
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]<br />
[[Category:Films about fictional presidents of the United States]]<br />
[[Category:Films directed by Lee Tamahori]]<br />
[[Category:Films produced by Neal H. Moritz]]<br />
[[Category:Films set in Virginia]]<br />
[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]]<br />
[[Category:Films set in the White House]]<br />
[[Category:Films shot in Baltimore]]<br />
[[Category:Films shot in California]]<br />
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]<br />
[[Category:Films shot in Washington, D.C.]]<br />
[[Category:Films set on trains]]<br />
[[Category:Revolution Studios films]]<br />
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Simon Kinberg]]<br />
[[Category:American sequel films]]<br />
[[Category:Films scored by Marco Beltrami]]<br />
[[Category:Original Film films]]<br />
[[Category:Films about coups d'état]]<br />
[[Category:2000s American films]]<br />
[[Category:American spy action films]]</div>Ajay Kumar