Product: xXx [VHS] (2002)
Rating: 2.0
Adolescent confection perfected
I've heard this franchise (yes, there will be sequels) as the first truly "American" answer to James Bond. Well, there are many problems with this claim on many different levels, not the least of which is that XXX seems to have been made for 12-14 year old boys. It's as soul-less as a video game and Vin Diesel (who actually CAN act -- just watch "Multi-Facial") is as wooden and pre-programmed as a virtual hero can be. Even when he tries to emote, he can't quite pull it off.I can't think of one genuinely funny moment in the entire film. Xander's quips aren't even clever. They are as two-dimensional and hackneyed as the characters. The movie itself isn't clever enough to be a parody, nor is it good enough to be an homage.Whether it's Diesel or the character, XXX simply lacks the charisma and sheer charm of any of the James Bond portrayers. Diesel would seriously work better as one of the thugs he so skillfully dispatches throughout the two hours of this X-box / commercial.Yes the visuals are stunning as are the stunts, yet I can't help but remember that a stunt-man was killed while making XXX seem invincible. Did I miss it or was there NO mention of this man's death anywhere in the film? Correct me if I'm wrong! I would like to think that Diesel or Cohen have that much class. Yes, movie fans, as effortless as this film may look, in the real world, real people die trying to be Superman.Since it made nearly 150 million in the theaters alone, XXX is sure to have at least two sequels. Should keep plenty of hack writers employed for a few years. I just wonder how many more stunt-men or women will die in an effort to make XXX indestructible, at least virtually so.