| As we are constantly being told, Vin Diesel is the newest action star around, the first of the new Millenium. After Pitch Black and The Fast and the Furious, xXx is the first movie to boast him as the main character. In the first scene we see a 007-type character complete a mission, then change into a tux. He slips into a club, only to find it full moshers and ruffians. Obviously he sticks out like a sore thumb and is promptly killed by the bad guys. Back at the NSA Samuel L. Jackson decides that what they need is unconventional secret agents, and enlists extreme sports expert Xander Cage (Diesel) as a reluctant hero. Clearly the blatent message here is that X is Bond for a cool new MTV generation, but the message is a little laid on with a trowel. And X himself isn't the only thing lacking in the sophistication of the 007 franchise. The script, story, acting and stunts all the lack the finely-tooled craftsmanship of an EON production. X himself is a rank amateur, questioning his orders and developing feelings for a woman. It's a fun movie, but not as good or funny as it should have been. There's plenty of action and explosions, though nothing really memorable. Some of the dialogue is a bit cringe-worthy, and might be more at home in one of Arnie's action movies. With the trouble taken to reference James Bond and show that this rough and ready substitute is more effective, you'd expect a more post modern approach. Vin Diesel himself is OK, given the material. And Samuel L. Jackson is, as always, great value. 6/10. |
| xXx Director: Rob Cohen Producer: Neil H. Moritz Screenwriter: Rich Wilkes UK Release Date: 18/10/2002 Certificate: 15 Official Website |
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