After *The Fast and the Furious* redefined car-chase cinema for the early 2000s, director Rob Cohen and star Vin Diesel reunited for *xXx*, a would-be franchise launcher that replaces underground racing with extreme sports espionage. On paper, it's James Bond for the Mountain Dew generation. In practice, it’s all style, no soul.
Plot SummaryVin Diesel plays Xander Cage, an extreme sports outlaw and underground celebrity who records himself pulling off illegal stunts and sells the footage online. After one such act catches the eye of the NSA, Cage is recruited by agent Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) to infiltrate a terrorist group in Prague called Anarchy 99, led by the over-the-top Yorgi (Martin Csokas). Cage must rely on the help of Yolena (Asia Argento), a Russian double agent in deep cover, to stop a plot involving biochemical warfare. It’s spy thriller meets X-Games—on paper, at least.
What Works- Vin Diesel’s presence: Diesel has undeniable screen presence and looks the part of a next-gen action star. He’s physically convincing in the role, even if his one-liners fall flat.
- Slick visuals: The film is glossy, fast-paced, and looks like it cost every bit of its high-budget production—an MTV aesthetic turned up to 11.
- Samuel L. Jackson: He elevates nearly anything he’s in and gives the film a bit of gravitas it sorely needs.
- Poor dialogue: The script is filled with slangy, poser lines that sound awkward coming from actors in their 30s. It feels like a high school teacher trying to talk like their students.
- Clichéd and hollow: *xXx* borrows heavily from better films (*Bond*, *Mission: Impossible*) but lacks their finesse or wit. The movie is all catchphrases and explosions, with little to back them up.
- Sexism and objectification: Despite its PG-13 rating, the film leans hard into misogyny, using women mostly as set dressing. It's embarrassing, not edgy.
- Cheesy effects: The snowboarding sequences, in particular, are painfully fake-looking and unintentionally comical.
*xXx* is exactly what happens when a movie is built by a marketing team first and a creative team second. Its attempt to launch a new action franchise is overly eager and undercooked. Rob Cohen’s direction tries to channel Bond’s cool with an “extreme” edge but ends up looking more like a Mountain Dew commercial than a credible spy film. Vin Diesel deserves a better vehicle for his talents. This one’s strictly for action junkies with a high tolerance for cheese.
Rating⭐ Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Call to ActionDid Vin Diesel deserve a better franchise than *xXx*? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
For more reviews of early 2000s action flicks, check out our action movie archives.
