Rating: 
(out of 
)
Since Fast and the Furious, Vin Diesel has become quite the hot commodity. His career choices have been very wise, thus far. He has declined a 20 million offer to star in Fast and the Furious 2 (thank God) and he has two more movies in works. Let us hope that all (or at least most) of his future parts are as perfect for him as the role of Xander Cage in xXx, but also let us hope that his future movies have a little more substance and his future characters aren’t so...irritating.
Action films seem to have been on hiatus for a while. Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Swarzenagger are getting up there in age, and Hollywood is looking for the 21st century action star. They have found one in Vin Diesel. Vin Diesel plays his part extremely well, I don’t have a problem with the performance, my beef is with the actual character. By the last 20 minutes, I was so enraged by the constant glib responses and exaggerated cockiness. If that was how director Rob Cohen envisioned Xander, then Vin has nailed the part of Xander Cage (or Triple X).
Xander Cage is a wild boy who seems to embody the entire image of the X-Games. During a five minute opening scene, we witness the murder of a secret agent who works for some, as co-star Samuel L. Jackson puts it, alphabet soup government agency. When it becomes apparent that well trained spies are not qualified to infiltrate the gritty gang atmosphere, they call in Xander in exchange for the erasure of his criminal transgressions.
The story line of xXx is the standard “destruction of the world” plot. In this movie‘s take on the tired plot, an ex-red army soldier, Yorgi, is tired of how government and laws controls his life and the life of other, and thus, plans to destroy the world. I really get tired of seeing this same plot. Hint, hint future xXx sequels.
Yorgi’s plan is to use rockets that contain nerve gas and launch them into the world capitols. Along with Yorgi is Yellena, Yorgi’s mysterious girlfriend who always seems to be by his side. Xander, who himself isn’t satisfied with the way government is, must himself help to preserve it. This provides for an interesting paradox, there is a witty quote in the movie, that goes something like, “If you’re sending someone to save the world, send someone who is happy with it the way it is.”
The scenery is gorgeous. The majority of the film takes place in beautiful Prague, and we are treated to some great shots of the city. Cinematographer Dean Semler (who also did cinematography for such films as Dances With Wolves and We Were Soldier) has done a fantastic job of incorporating the city into the plot and key scenes.
As with all action films, the single most important element is, of course, the action! The action in XXX mostly works. It is hilariously over the top (riding a tea server like a skateboard?). xXx seems to be just an excuse to show off new advancements in special effects, then the plot comes second. For example, a scene involving a Columbian drug farm that makes no sense at all. Unfortunately, this action sequence is supposed to be one of the crown jewel’s, and ends up being a series of things blowing up that doesn’t fit into the movie at all.
The casting is very good, with one exception. That of Xander’s female companion Yellena. While Asia Argento does an acceptable job, the film could have really benefited from a larger name; Helena Bonham Carter comes to mind. As I have emphasized, Vin Diesel is the best choice for a new action hero, and he fits the bill perfectly. Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Xander’s handler, seems to do a fine job in quite a small role. However, like Xander, he too is a smart ass. And because they are both equally cocky, their back and forth repertoire doesn’t work.
Let us add for a moment. Good casting of Vin Diesel. (1-0), good scenery (2-0), bad casting overall, (2-1), irritating dialogue (2-2), paper-thin plot (2-3), nonsense special effects (2-4). Sorry Triple X, it looks like the numbers just aren’t in your favor.
© 2002 Jake Sproul