xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), PG-13
Director: D. J. Caruso
Starring: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone Kris Wu Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette, Samuel L. Jackson, Neymar Jr.
Rating 
Reviewed by Xavier Emaka
Have you seen this movie?
Why not rate it! 
Loading...
This year saw the return of Vin Diesel to the xXx franchise as Xander Cage. The blockbuster season is kicking into high gear with the likes of Blood Wars starting the season incredibly early. xXx:ROXC has added 3D unlike the previous 2 installments, and went all out as far as star power.
The story starts with Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) trying to recruit a new agent (Neymar Jr.) to become the next xXx. As they’re discussing it, a satellite crashes down, causing the CIA to initiate an investigation, only to be infiltrated by an elite team that steal a device known as Pandora’s Box.
Apparently, Pandora’s Box can allow a hacker to take control of satellites and use them as weapons. Unable to come up with options, the group searches for the first xXx, Xander Cage, to help them retrieve the device. Xander is reluctant, but on hearing Gibbons involvment, decides to assist.
His investigation leads him to the Philippines, where he finds a group more dangerous than he ever expected. They’re all former xXx agents. The group is currently in conflict over what to do with Pandora’s Box. Some advocate destroying while others wants to use it. In the midst of the debate, they come under attack, revealing the involvement of yet another player Xander must deal with.
What’s good about xXx is the stunt work. The movie knows its audience and within the first five minutes it’s skiing down mud hills and diving off phone towers. The cast is quite suited to the movie. xXx went out of their way to get actors from elsewhere to complement their American cast and possibly make it more successful internationally. The acting was up to the task, with Deepika Padukone stealing the show (IMO), but overall no weaknesses stood out.
As for the camerawork, the CGI looks believable. The plot has changed considerably and this looks to be the final installment in the series. xXx has remained consistent in story line and refused to turn into some love story for the lone gunslinger. Too many movies have been ruined by contriving to have characters together who had no credible reason for being together at all.
If you’ve a love of action, I recommend it. There’s everything you want out of an action movie; guns, adrenaline and stunts that make the X-games look like a bike safety campaign.
EDITOR’S NOTE: While I realize this might not be considered “speculative” the outrageous stunts and tech make this one work for SFReader. — Dave
Share
Follow
