Starring: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Rob Cohen
Rated: M15+
XANDER Cage (Vin Diesel) is a tattooed, rebellious and notorious underground thrillseeker.
His criminal exploits come to the attention of Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), a veteran agent of the National Security Agency (NSA). Gibbons gives Xander and a few other anarchist crims a choice – go to jail or go to Prague as an undercover agent for the NSA. What’s an anarchist to do?
This group is formed into Anarchy 99 and sent to fight an underworld crime organisation headed by the brutal ex-Soviet army commander Yorgi (Marton Csokas) and his beautiful but hardened girlfriend, Yelena (Asia Argento).
xXx is meant to become a cult film. A heavy metal, loud, violent, action-sports cult film. Director Rob Cohen made Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Dragonheart and The Skulls.
xXx is a finely crafted film. The photography, special effects, stunts and editing are all world class. It moves at a great pace and the heavy metal music suits the mood of the piece.
The action sequences are minutely choreographed, and often look like it, but the total effect is seductive.
No one goes to these films for the stories or for the acting. Just as well. Most of the dialogue is incomprehensible and, when we can understand it, we discover it wasn’t worth the effort.
The values of xXx are the most worrying aspect of all. If I got the message of the film right, young people who dissent from society’s norms are considered to have a debt to the nation that can be repaid to it by perpetrating violent crimes on foreign soil.
When put to the test, these anarchists prove to be the most determined, ruthless, resourceful and successful fighters against another country’s underclasses.
Thank goodness we are not meant to take any of xXx seriously. I hope everyone who does go to see it realises that too.
