XXX (2002)
Also known as "xXx"
A new breed of secret agent
Starring: Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Roof, Richy Muller, Werner Dahn, Petr Jakl, Jan Pavel Filipensky, Tom Everett, Danny Trejo, Thomas Ian Griffith, Eve, Leila Arcieri, William Hope
Director: Rob Cohen
Running Time: 115 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 12
Action, Adventure, Thriller
On DVD With a nod in the direction of the extreme sports crowd and a title that sounds suspiciously like porn, this is 'XXX' - James Bond for the yoof market. The trouble is, Bond itself is a knackered, repetitive franchise that should have been put to bed years ago - not copied virtually to the letter in a new movie where the only notable change is to replace the suave 007 with a skin-headed man-gorilla.
In fairness to Vin Diesel, he produces one of his better performances here as Xander Cage, the underground snowboarding idol cajoled into helping the U.S government collar a group of Czech radicals. Much like Bond, his armoury comprises an array of top-secret gadgets, guilt-free promiscuity, and a lightning-quick line in tactless one-liners (best of all is when, after taking out a smoker with a heat-seeking missile, our hero quips: "I told him that cigarette would kill him one day." Oh God, I laughed uncontrollably for about two hours after hearing that one. Honestly).
Among the more impressive elements of 'XXX' are the nicely put-together action sequences, most notably the avalanche scene. But don't let Samuel L. Jackson's presence as Xander's boss fool you - this is a stupid film. At times I wasn't sure if director Rob Cohen was being intentionally tongue-in-cheek, perhaps even wandering into spoof territory, or if I was just watching a genuine stinker. And Jackson's a fine actor, but let's face it - he's not exactly choosy about the roles he takes. It often seems as if the guy would dress up as Barney the dinosaur if he was offered a good enough pay packet.
Fortunately, the whole thing is just about hectic enough that fans of run-of-the-mill actioners will get some enjoyment out of it. For everyone else, this offers little you can't get from watching a Bond flick - assuming you'd even want to, that is.
DVD Extras: Director's commentary, three featurettes, visual effects info, deleted scenes, filmographies, trailers, and a Gavin Rossdale music vid. All in all, it's a surprisingly decent package.
It's Got: Subtitles when the Czech folks talk amongst themselves, ensuring we don't miss out on gold-dust dialogue like "Catch him fast! Kill him slow!"
It Needs: Originality.
Alternatives: Any old Bond flick. Particularly that one with George Lazenby.
Summary: James Bond with a slap-head - shaven, not stirred. Get it? "Shaven", not stirred? Eh? Oh, just forget it.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 15th January 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
XXX at the IMDB
Comments3 Comments |
| This is one of the best movies ever!!!! I think it rocks!!! |
| Comment by:- mrs.lafferty | www.movie-gazette.com/cinerevi... | 04 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Petr Jakl is so ****in hot along with Vin Diesel,this movie was awesome but petr shouldn't have dyed! |
| Comment by:- )|(Slash)|( | | 07 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Good Movie. Gary Panton, Your reviews "SUCK" in my opinion. I find it to be hilarious that you may actually get paid for your work. You slam some pretty good actors along with some great movies. Your top rated movies seem to be along the lines of cheesy classics like Ghostbusters or Back to the Future, which I could understand if the review was written when you were eight. You should rent Nija Turtles, it would be another 5 star for your review list. I find your reviews ten to slam movies that cast women for the lead rolls or movies that cast top male celebs. regardless of their acting ability. Your just another "Wanna-Be" Simon Cowell. Incase you missed my plot... The guy's "only" famous because he's he's disliked for being an ignorant Ass H_le. Your headed down this same road. What you write in your reviews, must stem from your own insecurity's. Anyone who seems to have any talent or who tends to be slightly attractive gets slammed.. Keep up the good work jerk! |
| Comment by:- FROMnANGEL | | 01 April 2005 | ip: logged |
