Product: xXx [VHS] (2002)
Rating: 3.0
XXX7
I can't help be amused by all the people who reviewed this movie and said it shouldn't be compared to James Bond. Hello !!! That actually is the whole point of the film, and what follows is an exciting, action packed ride, that in many respects is even more of a homage to the genre than big Arnie's "True Lies" from a few years back. The makers of this film aren't trying to say Bond is passe, in fact without him this film wouldn't exist, all they're saying is that there is more than one way to interpret the espionage genre. Let's face it in recent years Bond films have been fairly hit-and-miss anyway. I have been a Bond fan for years, I have every film and book (*yes, even the post Fleming ones !!!), and while I know some fans derided this film simply based on there hero worship of the original 007 I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The first half hour is a little shakey, but then this is in part because they need to establish the "Xander Cage" character, but ironically after this point the film makers cleverly turn things around and it becomes a remarkably credible action movie. It's got the guns, gadgets, and girls of the Bond films of old, plus a host of (*sometimes computer generated) over-the-top stunts, but without the buckets of blood seen in most modern action adventure films, which are often plagued by excessive and graphic violence. Also to those who think this has no relation to Bond I should point out that the script for this film was actually considered last year for the new Bond movie but was passed over, however recognising its' obvious potential Vin Diesel acquired the rights to it and the rest as they say is history. Who knows, in a few years with the way the franchise is going, you may see a crossover project with 007 teaming up with XXX - now wouldn't that be something !!!! In any case no matter what the one-eyed critics who can't get past their love of Bond say, this is a good movie. I expected to hate it, but was glad to be proved wrong, and wouldn't mind seeing another adventure into the "Xander Zone" !!!