Rating- * * * * (4/5)
If there is one thing Hollywood loves as much as sequels to popular movies, it’s remakes of popular movies. Not that XXX is a full on remake of any particular James Bond film but it almost completely follows the Bond formula. Again, there is really nothing wrong with this, since a remake can be a form of tribute. The problem with XXX arises when the film tries to separate itself from the Bond films and deviates from the formula. The formula works for a reason. James Bond films have become a kind of communal event for moviegoers; they allow us to escape from the world where details and plot matter and immerse ourselves in a world of pure action, intrigue and a little sex on the side. James Bond works as a hero because every man wants to be him and every woman wants him. The hero of XXX, Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), could be a likable guy to some people but is not universally appealing because not everyone likes his wry humor and somewhat rebellious tendencies (I wouldn’t want to hang out with him and I wouldn’t want my sister to date him). Xander is the star of an extreme sports television show and also likes to perform illegal stunts to make political statements (ex. In the opening scene, he drives a sports car off a bridge and then parachutes himself to safety as the car explodes). He is recruited by the NSA and offered immunity for his crimes if he becomes a secret agent, and of course he takes it and is sent off to the Czech Republic to foil an evil plot to take over the world. As in a Bond movie the actual plot details are only secondary to the movie so I won’t bore you with them. The action is what you come here for and there is plenty of it. There are several top quality action sequences particularly a scene where X is trying to escape from a cocaine plant being attacked by the Colombian army. As far as I’m concerned, if Vin Diesel wasn’t The Action Hero of Hollywood before this scene, he is now. It is one of the most spectacular action sequences I’ve ever seen and is certainly worth waiting through the rather slow opening for. Another great sequence comes at the end of the film when X causes an avalanche to knock over a communications tower and then proceeds to race it down the mountain on his snowboard. This is of course physically impossible but it doesn’t matter; it is just plain fun to watch a guy snowboard with a 10-story wall of snow chasing after him. The bottom line is that this is a really fun, well done action film but it is no competition for Mr. Bond. What Bond lacks in extremeness and intensity he more than makes up for with his suaveness, throwaway one-liners and his ability to pull off anything without making you question for even a second if it’s possible. Director Rob Cohen as well as Vin Diesel have both signed on for the sequel to XXX already and will probably try to make a series out of it. I think they will do well if they just remember what they are and don’t overstep themselves; be as good of an action movie as you want to be, but don’t mess with 007.