XXX

Starring: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Marton Csokas, Asia Argento, Thomas Ian Griffith, Eve
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
2002

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Extreme sports fanatic Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) is recruited by a top National Security Agency officer (Samuel L. Jackson) to stop a Czech villain (Marton Csokas), who wants to destroy Prague with a biochemical weapon.

Review:
Tim: The newest variation of the 007 secret agent features Vin Diesel as Xander Cage, a ex-extreme sports star who chooses to work for the government instead of going to jail.

First up, let me say that Vin Diesel makes an amazing action hero. I've always been a fan of him since I first saw him in Pitch Black, and I know he will be incredibly successful in Hollywood. I also like the idea of an updated, hipper version of James Bond. That being said, let me also say that xXx is awesome- but he is no James Bond.

This movie was surrounded by talk that this was the 007 for the younger generation, that this franchise may rival the former. Such is not the case. Yes, this is an incredible film, and lots of fun, but it will NEVER... NEVER rival James Bond. There are many reasons why this is so, but let me elaborate on the number one reason- xXx (the movie and the character) find their success relying completely on Vin Diesel. No other actor can bring Xander Cage to life, the the movie would have been a silly mess had it not been for Diesel. James Bond is bigger than any single actor. Sean Connery is the classic Bond, but it doesn't mean the series or the idea ended when he gave up the role. Bond is not of a time, but for all time. Xander Cage is a very slick, cool secret agent. But put any other actor besides Diesel in there, and the franchise will die.

Now, to go back against all my praise for Diesel, he does have his flaws in this movie. Some of the lines he has to say are downright ridiculous, but he butchers a number of others, making him seem silly and making the audience bite their lip in anguish.

The film itself is pretty good. The action is intense and wonderful to look at. The action scenes are so elaborate and incredible that they ride very close to the thin line between amazing action scenes and incredibly unbelievable cheesy ones. The avalanche scene is one of my favorites, but also one of the most unrealistic ones. Now, before you say anything, I KNOW action movies always blur the line between real and unreal. I'm just saying that with xXx, it borders on cheesy.

Other than that, I have very few complaints about the movie. It was an incredible ride, and Diesel further proves he will be around for a long time, and will continue to wow audiences. I've always been a fan of his, and if nothing else, this movie just makes me like him all the more.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Fast and the Furious, Pitch Black, Goldeneye, A Man Apart, Dr. No