Plot: An extreme sports athlete, Xander Cage, is recruited by the government on a special mission.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Action Film 101
Story: XXX starts as Agent Gibbons (Jackson) is bought into help with an operation where normal agents keep getting killed, his plan is to have criminals enter into the worlds. We go onto meet Xander Cage (Diesel) who is an extreme sportsman using his skills for campaigning.
We go through a training routine with Xander who ends up having to help Gibbons as an alternative looking agent in Czech Republic. Xander has to get close to Yorgi (Csokas) and his group Anarchy 99 which he finds to be an easy thanks to his extreme sports background but when he finds out what they have planned he has to find a way to save the day.
XXX is one of those films you can just sit back and enjoy, you have to suspended your disbelief to see what is going on and could easily be a video montage to make extreme sports popular again. We get a very average villain that would be something we have become used in 2002 with the weaker Bond films at the time. We know the story is easy so just enjoy.
Actor Review
Vin Diesel: Xander Cage is extreme sports man that has been breaking the law with his antics. He gets recruited to become an agent to get information from a terrorist group where he learns of a plan to build weapon and must use all his sports skills to save the day and the world. Vin is good in this leading role very much a performance you have come to expect from him in action film.
Asia Argento: Yelena is the lady who is up close and personal with Yorgi but we soon find that she isn’t completely like we thought as we learn her true nature in the situation. Asia is a good female lead but isn’t on the level we have come to know in modern cinema but only because of writing not her performance.
Marton Csokas: Yorgi is the criminal that Xander must get close to, he accepts Xander into his crime world because of his fame in the underground world but once we find out his real motives we see just how dangerous he really is. Marton is a good but simple villain which is only really one dimensional.
Samuel L Jackson: Agent Augustus Gibbons is the man who comes up with the idea of using criminals to take down the crime ring and his first recruit Xander Cage. This is a very easy authority role that we could see in many other films. Samuel is good for this role even if it never really tests his skills.
Support Cast: XXX has a supporting cast we have all come to know with a henchman, gadget guy and unlucky guys, thy all help the film really well in the film.
Director Review: Rob Cohen – Rob gives us an easy to watch action film that works for what it is without being a classic.
Action: XXX is everything you want in an action film with extreme sports.
Adventure: XXX is great for an adventure side of the story which all works well.
Thriller: XXX keeps us on edge throughout without being full edge of the seat.
Settings: XXX uses the Czech Republic setting which does have good visual but never really feels in peril.
Special Effects: XXX has good effects with everything that happens with avalanche scene having a few moments that you can see the CGI.
Suggestion: XXX is one for all the action fans to enjoy but don’t go in too seriously. (Action Fans Watch)
Best Part: Extreme sports scenes.
Worst Part: Isn’t the most original.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Has one, with another in the works.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $70 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Tagline: If you want someone to save the world, make sure it’s someone who likes the world as it is.
Overall: Enjoyable action film that is nothing too special
Rating