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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    xXx: State Of The Union
    Genre: Thriller

    Reviewed In Issue 99 (Aug 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Ice Cube, Willem Dafoe, Scott Speedman, Peter Strauss & Samuel L. Jackson

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 5
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
    Internet Links
    www,sony.com/xxx
    Special Features
    Special features include filmmakers commentary, visual effects commentary, "From Convict To Hero: The Making Of XXX: State Of The Union" available to watch in its 21-minute entirety or in two parts, Part I: Boot Camp and Part II: Special Ops. There are also three more featurettes, the six-minute "Bullet Train Breakdown," the nine-minute "Top Secret Military Warehouse," and the five-minute "XXX: According To Ice Cube," also available to watch individually or together. Additionally, there are three deleted scenes with optional director's commentary and previews.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 10206
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Sequences Of Intense Action Violence, Some Language
    (Retail Price): $28.95
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 101
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2005
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 07/26/05
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Lee Tamahori
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

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      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    After 16 agents were killed during an attack on an NSA chapter, National Security Agent Augustus Gibbons (Jackson) decides that they need a new "XXX" to help save the day. The man he wants, Darius Stone (Ice Cube), just happens to be locked up in prison, so Gibbons plans an action-packed jail break and changes the prisoner's identity. The President of the United States (Strauss) thinks that it's time for another direction and plans to make a new military bill part of his "State Of The Union" address. When Gibbons and Stone learn that Secretary of Defense George Deckert (Dafoe) is the one behind the assault and is planning to take over, they pull out all the tricks and will stop at nothing until they can save the President and the country. (Tricia Spears)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphcially enhanced 2.38:1 DVD picture can look quite impressive at times, with a color scheme that is often over-the-top with vibrant, appealing hues; naturally balanced fleshtones; and deep, endless blacks. Everything from clothing to digitally enhanced skies to paint jobs on cars pops from the screen. While much of the picture is sharp and detailed, there are some scenes that appear smeared or undefined. There is no bothersome edge enhancement noticed on this DVD, but some pixelization and loss of finer details is evident. Perhaps Sony should release this title in a Superbit

    Soundtrack:
    The fully engaging, endlessly engrossing Dolby

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    Moira Joblan
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
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