Product: xXx (2002)
Rating: 4.0
James Bond meets the X-Games
Boy I tell ya, either folks like this film or they hate it. To be honest with ya, I've bought both versions of this DVD. The original SE and this new URDC 2-disc version. (Skipped the Superbit, obviously.) And also to be honest, I haven't watched this film since the original DVD came out in Dec. 2003. I bought this new version for basically two reasons. One, the build-up to the hype for the sequel, and two, was curious as to what the additional 8 minutes of footage would bring. Again, to be honest, I couldn't tell you what or where the new footage is without doing a comparison with the old disc.In any case, I was pleasantly surprised by this new cut. Has the new footage fleshed out some of the plots and characters? I'm not really sure, but the movie actually flows a bit better with the new footage whatever it is. So if you didn't get the first disc, and you're in any way remotely interested into getting into the xXx franchise, go ahead and pick this set up.Now then, as for my title of this review, and my 4-star rating... As another reviewer so eloquently stated, that this film is a bit of a new take on the old traditional James Bond film with the modern Playstation-era X-Game scene thrown in. And whether you're into the X-Games or X-Treme Sports or not, it actually does work, that is the meshing of the two. xXx uses a plethora of James Bond-esque type gadgets and excellorates them using X-Treme sports. Need to take out some bad guys? Surf a self-caused avalance on a snow board.Xander Cage, aka xXx, is billed as your typical American anti-hero hero. He's a rough-billed fella who despite his "rum dumb" appearance actually is a very observant and smart cookie. During the cafe test scene, he points out several unrealistic circumstances that would be ridiculous in everyday life. Then late on when he infiltrates Anarchy 99, instead of doing the cookie cutter cop routine, he just walks right up to them and acts like a potential partner in crime. He also has a thing against chain smoking. ;) To which he used later on to "smoke" a guy with a heat-seeking missile.OK, got the picture? Anyway, this new disc has a short that attempts to explain the lead-up to this year's sequal "State of the Union". As well as a decent little "Making of" of the new film. Quite frankly, I'm really looking forward to the DVD of the sequel and hoping that this franchise picks up some steam.Oh, for my rating of 4 stars? Actually I give it 3.5 stars. Not bad, but not all that great either. Well, you could say that about several of the latest Bond films as well.