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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
XXX2
the one line review:
Ice Cube has melted
the overview
Predictable tagline, I know, but it's true. I'm not even sure Ice Cube is/was a very good rapper. Let's face it, XXX was a top film, because Vin Diesel, even as bad as he is, brings a certain musclebound quality to any role he does. Ice Cube is just a lump. And not even a particularly good lump.
the plot:
Let me see - well after the first XXX, which was they name they (whoever they is) gave to the project whereby they'd fine some totally inappropriate thug to do some really nasty secret undercover work by infiltrating something or another. So in this fairly lame sequel, Ice Cube is the ex good guy who got sent to prison for something he didn't do, and when a big plan to do something nasty is unveiled he is busted out of prison to help solve the case. Yawn.
the verdict:
The film itself, well, it's not too bad. Fairly run of the mill action adventure with fast cars, big explosions, lots of swearing and men shooting guns. Simple concept that has worked well before. But Ice Cube is not even vaguely convincing as the best of the best hard man who they need to solve the problem of an internal something or other. Because he's a lump. When he's breaking out of the prison at the beginning, he has to jump up over a wall. But whereas Vin Diesel would have simply hurdled it without even thinking about it, Ice Cube struggles to pull his fat arse anywhere near the wall, let alone up and over it. Likewise with the fight scenes - he clearly has no fighting talent, and I'm sure it would have taken a million and 4 takes of each scene before the director got sick of it and said "that'll do".
The film is watchable, but only if you're blind.
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