xXx

US, 2002, 124 minutes, Colour.
Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, Samuel L. Jackson.
Directed by Rob Cohen.

Vin Diesel's engine-fuel name sounded more suitable for Pitch Black and, especially, the Fast and the Furious.

Now we have the enigmatic xXx. He plays a physical stunt junkie who, before you can say I Spy, has been willingly recruited (like one of the Dirty Dozen) to be a CIA operative in the Czech Republic by standover boss, Samuel L. Jackson. There are dire things happening in Prague. The gangs are more deadly (disaffected Soviet youth) and, in fact, are in process of building weapons of mass destruction.

Here there is no need for the US President to attack the country. xXx will do the job almost singlehandedly with a 21st century grunge style, gung-ho spirit and explosive stunts and the loudest of Dolby sound. He is the 'shadow' side of the elegant James Bond who, I suppose, achieves much the same results with infinitely more deadly elegance.

Rob Cohen directed Diesel in The Fast and the Furious so he knows what he's doing in creating a comic strip, laconic hero who eventually shows a touch of humanity. Prague looks good, however.


1. The popularity of the series? Vin Diesel’s presence? His character and agent?

2. Action, stunts, special effects? Credibility – excitement?

3. Prague, the settings, the beauty of the city, the dangers, the castles? The touch of the exotic? The musical score?

4. Vin Diesel as Xander Cage, personality, style, his age, experience, extreme sports, seeing him in action, his television series? The stealing of the senator’s car? Trouble with authorities?

5. The situation in Europe, the Russian group, anarchy? Silent Night and the stealing of the weapon? The NSA and the infiltration, the recognition of the agents? Failure? Augustus Gibbons and his decision about Xander Cage?

6. Interview, training, the robbery in the diner, going to Columbia, the drug camp, the escape? Xander agreeing to be recruited?

7. Xander, going to Prague, the interactions with Sova, the clash, Xander not wanting to be under orders, the insults, his sense of freedom?

8. Sova, character, privileges, clash with Xander, Xander exposing him – and vice versa?

9. Introduction to Yorgi? Kolya? The bond between the two? Xander, information, friendship, infiltration, meeting your Yelena? Her role as girlfriend?

10. Yelena, Xander catching her stealing, at the restaurant, revealing the truth, the Russians knowing the identities, the gunfight, the staging of the escape, punching Yelena and carrying her out?

11. Gibbons, his reaction, anger, wanting Xander home, Xander refusing, wanting to rescue Yelena, the castle and the attack, the role of Sova?

12. Yorgi, the plan with the drone, the biochemicals, killing the scientists as a test? The plan for destruction in the variety of cities?

13. Yelena, her being an agent, the two years, let go by the authorities, the situation, relationship with Xander?

14. The organising of the forces to attack the Castle, the plane, the teamwork, Xander leaping from the plane, snowboarding, causing the avalanche?

15. Yorgi, taking Xander as his prisoner, having Yelena?

16. The drama of the attack, the death of Yorgi, the biochemicals released? The harpoon, catching the vehicle, Xander taking the hard drive, the vehicle falling into the water, the rescue of Xander?

17. Mission accomplished, relaxing in Bora- Bora, Gibbons phoning with a new mission – and their ignoring him?