xXx (Blu-ray)
APPROX. 124 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 2002 - MPA RATING: PG-13
" This is a bad example of how a new format should be marketed, and still a bad example of how to make a first-rate film.
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A couple years ago I reviewed "xXx" for this website. I wasn´t very kind to the film. In fact, I gave the film a value score of ´3.´ My quote for that review was simply "This is a good example of how a first-rate DVD should be made, but a bad example of how to make a first-rate film." Ouch. That day was January 9th, 2003. Fast forward almost three and a half years later and Vin Diesel´s "xXx" ended up back on my review plate. This time it sits mocking me as a launch title for the fledgling Blu-Ray format. Homage needs to be paid to my original synopsis of the DVD release. This time the quote is going to be "This is a bad example of how a new format should be marketed, and still a bad example of how to make a first-rate film." I know, it seems like I am being lazy about this review or just mocking myself. However, to be a good sport I will completely revisit the film for a new review. I didn´t really like the old review and besides, maybe the film grew on me.
Or maybe not. Years and years ago I predicted that Vin Diesel would become a big star. This was on my way out of an empty theater and seeing "Pitch Black." Good film and Vin seemed like he was destined for moviestardom. Now, Vin is a star and he has made a couple of missteps in his career. "xXx" is one such misstep. This is a ridiculously bad film. To watch this film you are required to shut your brain off and refrain from using any inkling of intelligence. You must believe that a heat seeking missile has the ability to lock in on a lit cigarette and not the overheated machine gun barrels scattered about in the same room. You are required to believe that an avalanche will destroy building structures, but allow for a flimsy antenna to remain standing. You need to think that old rickety wooden buildings are highly combustible and you are also expected to believe that Vin or his agent decided this film was a good idea. Apparently, Vin wised up and refused to star in the sequel. His character was handled in the short film "The Death of Xander Cage." You can see that on the standard DVD and not the Blu-Ray, but we´ll get into that later.
"xXx" was Sony pictures attempt at creating a rival franchise for the James Bond franchise. It was about an extreme sports star who also dabbled in illegal methods of entertainment and was notorious in his non-sports stunts, like stealing a Congressman´s Corvette and jumping it off a bridge. Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) is then captured by the NSA (National Security Administration) and becomes secret agent XXX under the watchful eye of Agent Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson). He then has to infiltrate a Russian terror organization´s ranks and figure out what evil deeds they are up to. Of course, what would a James Bond clone be without a Bond Girl (Asia Argento) and a tech savvy inventor (Michael Roof) who makes all the nifty gadgets for our super suave agent who drinks his alcohol shaken AND stirred. That was perhaps the best joke in the film. Hopefully, I didn´t spoil it for you.
The film is all about over the top stunts, explosions and action. I will give it credit for being action filled and at times I found myself actually enjoying what was going on in front of me. Then, of course, something completely ridiculous and absurd would happen and I´d go back to just waiting for the pain to end. It is a rare film watching experience when you anxiously await the closing credits. However, "xXx" is a film that gives you this feeling. The screenwriters decided to think of some of the most stunning and incredible stunts they could imagine and write a story around it. The concept of a shady criminal becoming a CIA agent is a good idea. Vin Diesel and the idea of Xander Cage is good too. The film started off nicely. I loved the diner scene. It showed intelligence and wit. Then, the downward trend of the film getting sillier and sillier began to occur. Vin tries his best to save the movie and go through the film with a straight face. Danny Trejo even shows up for a short role and tries to help out. In the end, it is just a wreck and you eagerly await the Jaws of Life to rip you away from it.
Video:
Had I been reviewing a standard definition DVD, I would be proclaiming this to be an incredibly detailed image and perhaps one of the best I´d ever seen. By saying that, you can feel confident that Blu-Ray does present a noticeable visual improvement over the SD-DVD releases. There are a few scenes where the picture looks absolutely stunning. Then, there are scenes that appear blurry and somewhat out of focus when compared to those that were absolutely stunning. I´ve seen this inconsistency on practically every Blu-Ray disc I´ve watched. There are moments when the visual transfer of Blu-Ray can almost rival what I´ve seen on the better HD-DVD releases and there are moments when it barely transcends what I´ve seen on the older SD-DVD titles. An important thing to remember is that Blu-Ray is a baby. It needs to be nurtured and cared for and then, it will grow up and be a mature format that impresses those of us that watched it grow up.
