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{{Short description|American action film directed by Rob Cohen}}
{{ref improve|date=April 2015}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = xXx
| name = XXX


| image = Xxx movie.jpg
| image = Xxx movie.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
Line 9: Line 8:
| producer = [[Neal H. Moritz]]
| producer = [[Neal H. Moritz]]
| writer = [[Rich Wilkes]]
| writer = [[Rich Wilkes]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = [[Vin Diesel]]<br />[[Asia Argento]]<br />[[Samuel L. Jackson]]<br/>[[Marton Csokas]]
* [[Vin Diesel]]
* [[Asia Argento]]
* [[Marton Csokas]]
}}
| music = [[Randy Edelman]]
| music = [[Randy Edelman]]
| cinematography = [[Dean Semler]]
| cinematography = [[Dean Semler]]
| editing = [[Chris Lebenzon]]<br />Joel Negron<br />[[Paul Rubell]]
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* [[Chris Lebenzon]]
| studio = [[Revolution Studios]]<br />[[Original Film]]
* [[Paul Rubell]]
| distributor = [[Columbia Pictures]]
* Joel Negron
}}
| studio = [[Revolution Studios]]<ref name="afi">{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/62614|title=XXX (2002)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=2019-07-21}}</ref>
| distributor = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]<ref name=afi/>
| released = {{Film date|2002|08|09}}
| released = {{Film date|2002|08|09}}
| runtime = 124 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 123:56--><ref>{{cite web|title=''XXfX''xcg
| runtime = 124 minutes<!--Submitted theatrical runtime: 123:56--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/xxx-2002 | title=''XXX'' (12A) (CUT) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=2002-09-24 | access-date=2012-10-19}}</ref>
xx(12A)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BFF175604/|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=2002-09-24|accessdate=2012-10-19}}</ref>
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $88.3 million<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.thewrap.com/inside-revolution-studios-confidential-sales-document-why-joe-roth-failed-30659/ | title='Inside the Revolution Library: Where Joe Roth Went Wrong| first= Brent |last= Lang |date=September 1, 2011 |work= TheWrap.com |access-date= June 28, 2017}}</ref>
| budget = $70 million<ref name="boxoffice" />
| gross = $277.4 million<ref name="boxoffice" />
| gross = $277.4 million<ref name="boxoffice" />
}}
}}
'''''xXx''''' (pronounced "Triple X") is a 2002 American [[action film]] directed by [[Rob Cohen]]. It stars [[Vin Diesel]] as Xander Cage, a [[thrill seeking]] [[extreme sports]] enthusiast, [[stuntman]] and [[anti-establishment|rebellious]] athlete-turned-reluctant spy for the [[National Security Agency]] who is sent on a dangerous mission to [[infiltration tactics|infiltrate]] a group of potential Russian [[terrorist]]s in [[Central Europe]]. ''xXx'' also stars [[Asia Argento]], [[Samuel L. Jackson]], and [[Marton Csokas]]. Cohen previously directed ''[[The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)|The Fast and the Furious]]'', in which Diesel also starred.


'''''XXX''''' (stylized as '''''xXx''''' and pronounced '''''Triple X''''') is a 2002 American [[action film]] directed by [[Rob Cohen]], produced by [[Neal H. Moritz]] and written by [[Rich Wilkes]]. The first installment in the [[XXX (film series)|''xXx'' film series]], the film stars [[Vin Diesel]] as Xander Cage, a thrill-seeking [[extreme sport]]s enthusiast, [[Stunt performer|stuntman]], and rebellious athlete-turned-reluctant spy for the [[National Security Agency]]. Cage is sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate a group of potential Russian terrorists in Central Europe. The film also stars [[Asia Argento]], [[Marton Csokas]], and [[Samuel L. Jackson]]. Cohen, Moritz, and Diesel had previously worked on ''[[The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)|The Fast and the Furious]]'' (2001) as director, producer and cast member respectively. The film grossed $277.4 million worldwide and was followed by two sequels, ''[[XXX: State of the Union|xXx: State of the Union]]'' (2005) and ''[[XXX: Return of Xander Cage|xXx: Return of Xander Cage]]'' (2017).
The film received mixed reviews<ref name="review">{{cite web |title = ''xXx'' (2002) |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx/ |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate = January 10, 2010 }}</ref> but was a financial success for the studios, grossing US$277,448,382 worldwide.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite web |title = ''xXx'' (2002) |url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=xxx.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate = August 6, 2011 }}</ref> It was followed by 2005 sequel entitled ''[[XXX: State of the Union|xXx: State of the Union]]'' and an upcoming 2017 sequel entitled ''[[xXx: The Return of Xander Cage]]''.


==Plot==
==Plot==
<!--per [[WP:FILMPLOT]], plot summaries should be between 400 and 700 words-->
An [[NSA]] mission to collect information on Anarchy 99, a mercenary group of former Russian soldiers goes awry when the agent's identity is discovered. Anarchy 99 has a biochemical weapon named "Silent Night," missing since [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|the fall of the Soviet Union]], and NSA Agent Augustus Gibbons believes the only way to get close is to recruit an agent that would not have any ties to the United States government. He selects Xander Cage, also known as X, an extreme sports professional and host of his own television show, who was recently captured by the FBI for stealing and destroying a prominent California senator's car as an act of protest. Gibbons puts Cage through two tests – stopping a staged diner robbery and escaping from a drug cartel's plantation in Colombia – and offers Cage the mission. Cage reluctantly agrees when Gibbons offers to wipe his criminal record.
Russian terrorist group Anarchy 99 acquires the biochemical weapon "Silent Night", presumed missing since [[the fall of the Soviet Union]]. Undercover [[National Security Agency|NSA]] agent Jim McGrath is assigned to recover the weapon but is killed by Anarchy 99 at a [[Rammstein]] concert.


NSA Agent Augustus Gibbons suggests sending Xander "XXX" Cage, an extreme sports professional wanted for unlawful protesting, citing his lack of ties to the US government. Under Gibbons' supervision, Cage passes two field tests and reluctantly accepts the job, as the other option is prison.
Cage goes to Prague and meets with the NSA support team including Czech agent Milan Sova. While scouting an Anarchy 99 party, Cage purposely reveals Sova's cover, which allows him to gain the confidence of Anarchy 99's leader, Yorgi. Through Yorgi's brother Kolya, who is a fan of Cage's show, Cage gains critical information on the military background of Anarchy 99's members. Cage is attending a car deal with Yorgi at his invention when Sova shows up and starts a firefight. Cage shoots Sova with a fake blood-splatter round to make it look like he is dead, which causes Yorgi to fully accept Cage as a member of Anarchy 99. Cage returns with Yorgi to their headquarters, a castle outside of the city, where he meets Yorgi's girlfriend Yelena. Cage finds Yelena trying to break into Yorgi's safe and tells her he is an American agent. Yelena gets a call from Kirill, a sniper working for Yorgi, who reveals they know of Cage's true identity before he starts firing on them. Cage helps Yelena to escape, but is kidnapped by the NSA team. Agent Gibbons tells Cage to return home since his cover is blown, but Cage refuses as he fears for Yelena's safety from both Yorgi and a planned attack on the castle by special forces. Cage learns that Sova purposely blew his cover.


In [[Prague]], Cage meets his team which includes his supervisor, Czech agent Milan Sova. While scouting an Anarchy 99 party, Cage identifies Sova as a police officer, earning him favor with the group and catching the attention of the leader Yorgi. Cage asks Yorgi about purchasing high end sports cars, and Yorgi's girlfriend and lieutenant Yelena, gives Cage an account number.
Cage sneaks back to the castle and overhears Yorgi's plans to equip a waterborn drone named Ahab with "Silent Night" to release the biochemical in the middle of every major city, starting with Prague. Yorgi tests the weapon on his scientists, killing them. Cage rescues her from Yorgi and kills Kolya. At a safehouse, Yelena explains she is an [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] agent, working undercover to get close to Yorgi two years ago, but six months after the start of the operation, her contacts abandoned her. Cage races to a nearby monitoring station which Anarchy 99 uses to secure the castle and destroys it by starting an avalanche, but is captured by Yorgi's forces.


Gibbons calls Cage about changes to the plan but is impressed when he gives them information provided by Kolya, Yorgi's star-struck younger brother. Tech-specialist Agent Toby Shavers then provides Cage with gadgets including a revolver with special ammo, binoculars that can see through walls and explosives disguised as bandages.
Cage is taken back to Yorgi, who reveals he has captured Yelena again and has known about her true identity. As the special forces attack starts, Cage and Yelena use the opportunity to escape, killing Kirill and Yorgi, who already launched Ahab towards the center of Prague. Cage alerts Gibbons, who has the Czech military prepare to destroy the Ahab via airstrikes with the unfortunate side effect of releasing some of the biochemical agent. Cage harpoons Ahab from the car and causes the drone to sink underwater. Cage is rescued and Gibbons promises Yelena American citizenship. Cage and Yelena are relaxing in [[Bora Bora]] when Gibbons calls there is another mission. Cage ignores him and swims with Yelena.

As Cage attends the car deal he made with Yorgi, Sova attempts to intercede. Using the special ammo, Cage fakes Sova's death. Having earned Yorgi's trust, Cage joins Anarchy 99. Yorgi brings Cage back to a castle after a dance party at one of his nightclubs that serves as Anarchy 99's headquarters. Cage, while searching for the biochemical weapon, catches Yelena investigating Yorgi's secret safe. He takes her to a nearby restaurant to discuss the matter and reveals his true identity.

Sova betrays Cage to Yorgi, so he sends his trusted sniper Kirill to kill him. While watching the pair, Kirill, who is in love with Yelena, warns her. As Cage and Yelena stage a fight, the NSA suddenly appears to capture him, and Yelena is taken back to Anarchy 99.

Cage meets with Gibbons, who demands he return to America as his cover is blown and special forces are planning to siege the castle. He refuses, fearing for Yelena's life and bitter that Sova blew his cover. Cage sneaks into Yorgi's castle and follows him into a secret underground lab. Overhearing his plan to launch "Silent Night" from the water-borne drone Ahab; he first tests the weapon on the scientists who developed it, to Cage and Yelena's horror. Cage flees the area after killing Kolya. At his hideout, Sova is waiting for him, now with Yorgi. Yelena saves Cage, revealing herself to be an abandoned undercover Russian [[Federal Security Service]] agent. Cage relays Yorgi's plans to the NSA in return for Yelena's asylum.

Against orders, Shavers heavily arms Cage's car, who then parachutes from a plane on a snowboard near Anarchy 99's communication tower. The avalanche he starts destroys the tower but he is captured by Yorgi, who already knew Yelena's identity. As Yorgi prepares to kill them, the special forces attack. Cage and Yelena free themselves, but Yorgi launches Ahab before Cage kills him. The Czech military prepares to destroy Ahab with airstrikes, though this will release some of the biochemical agent. Cage and Yelena take his heavily modified car, to catch up to Ahab. Cage harpoons and disables the weapon moments before it goes off.

Cage and Yelena are recovered, and Gibbons follows through on his promises. Sometime later, the couple is relaxing in [[Bora Bora]] when Gibbons contacts him for another mission, but Cage ignores him.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Vin Diesel]] as Xander "XXX" Cage, a thrill-seeking American [[extreme sports]] enthusiast, [[stuntman]], and [[anti-establishment]] activist. Idolized in some sub-cultures, Cage is also hunted by the authorities and he is offered a deal to become a [[spy]] for the [[National Security Agency]] in exchange for leniency, the agency requiring an agent who can do the current job without the military professional training that Anarchy 99's background will allow them to recognise.
* [[Vin Diesel]] as Xander Cage/xXx
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as Augustus Gibbons, a high-ranking official in the National Security Agency who has the power to give Cage a pardon for his crimes. He uses this fact as leverage to recruit Cage for a mission because he knows Cage is the only person who could successfully infiltrate Anarchy 99, recognising the benefits of Cage's rebellious attitude and unorthodox methods.
* [[Asia Argento]] as Yelena
* [[William Hope (actor)|William Hope]] as Roger Donnan, the associate and administrator of the National Security Agency.
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as [[NSA]] Agent Augustus Eugene Gibbons
* [[Danny Trejo]] as "El Jefe", a torturer for a [[Colombia]]n [[drug cartel]].
* [[Marton Csokas]] as Yorgi
* [[Asia Argento]] as Yelena, Yorgi's apparent girlfriend. Originally a [[Federal Security Bureau|Russian intelligence agent]], sent to watch over Yorgi but has since been abandoned by her superiors. Yelena becomes romantically involved with Cage and he attempts to get her political asylum in the United States for her assistance in bringing down Yorgi.
* [[Michael Roof]] as NSA Agent Toby Lee Shavers
* [[Marton Csokas]] as Yorgi, a former soldier in the [[Soviet Army]], now a wealthy [[hedonist]] owning a string of properties around [[Eastern Europe]], including a [[castle]] and [[nightclub]]s. Yorgi is also the leader of Anarchy 99, a group of militant [[anarchism|anarchist]]s with a disdain for all forms of government and authority, and society in general. His ultimate aim is complete [[lawlessness]] across the world.
* [[Richy Müller]] as Milan Sova
* [[Michael Roof]] as Toby Lee Shavers, an NSA techno-genius and gadget specialist.
* [[Werner Daehn]] as Kirill
* [[Richy Müller]] as Milan Sova, a cop and [[double agent]].
* [[Petr Jákl]] as Kolya
* [[Werner Daehn]] as Kirill, a member of Anarchy 99, [[Nicotine#Reinforcement disorders|cigarette addict]] and [[sharpshooter]].
* [[Jan Pavel Filipensky]] as Viktor
* [[Tom Everett]] as California state senator Dick Hotchkiss
* [[Petr Jákl]] as Kolya, Yorgi's younger brother.
* [[Jan Pavel Filipensky]] as Viktor, a member of Anarchy 99 and close friend of Yorgi. He is usually with Yorgi wherever he goes.
* [[Danny Trejo]] as El Jefe
* [[Tom Everett]] as Dick Hotchkiss, a conservative [[California State Senator]]; his car is stolen and wrecked by Cage prior to his recruitment by the NSA, as a protest against some of Hotchkiss's policies.
* [[Thomas Ian Griffith]] as NSA Agent Jim McGrath
* [[Thomas Ian Griffith]] as Jim McGrath, an undercover agent killed by Anarchy 99 while trying to retrieve the Silent Night weapon.
* [[Eve (entertainer)|Eve]] as J.J.
* [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]] as J.J., Xander's friend
* [[Leila Arcieri]] as Jordan King
* [[Leila Arcieri]] as Jordan King
* [[Rammstein]] as themselves
* [[William Hope (actor)|William Hope]] as NSA Agent Roger Donnan
* [[Orbital (band)|Orbital]] as themselves
* Radek Tomecka as Ivan Pedgrag
* Martin Hub as Ivan Podrov


To support Xander Cage's credibility within extreme sport subcultures, various personalities make [[cameo appearance]]s, including [[Tony Hawk]], [[Mike Vallely]], [[Carey Hart]], [[Mat Hoffman]] and [[Josh Todd]]. [[Rammstein]] appear as themselves.
To imply Xander Cage's credibility within extreme sport subcultures, various personalities make cameo appearances:


* [[Tony Hawk]] makes a cameo appearance in the Corvette scene from the bottom of the bridge driving the getaway Cadillac, (near the beginning of the film) and skating over a half-pipe at Xander's place later.
==Production==
* [[Mike Vallely]] also makes a cameo as a cameraman and an extra. Pro motocross rider [[Carey Hart]] is seen in the back seat of the Cadillac driven by Tony Hawk.
{{refimprove section|date=September 2012}}
* [[BMX]] rider [[Mat Hoffman]] exchanges lines with Xander during the party scene.
In August 2001, Sony put a large billboard of "xXx" in Hollywood, before a script had been written.<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web |title = ''Extreme Weekend for XXX'' (2002) |url = http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1232&p=.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate = May 23, 2012 }}</ref> There was also a teaser trailer released on May 3, 2002. It was then attached to ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'', and shown on the web.
* Also during the party scene, [[Josh Todd (musician)|Josh Todd]] (the lead singer of [[Buckcherry]]) makes a cameo appearance though he never turns around, but his suicide king of hearts tattoo can be seen on his back.


== Production ==
Filming took place at three locations. Most of the film is set in [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]]. The Corvette jump was filmed at the [[Foresthill Bridge]] in [[Auburn State Recreation Area]], [[Auburn, California]]. The final scenes were set in [[Bora Bora]], [[Tahiti]], and other areas in Southern West Virginia.
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2012}}
In July 2001 it was announced that Vin Diesel will receive in the neighborhood of $10 million to star in the film, with an initial release date of July 26, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/theatrical_article.cfm?article_id=1531|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010809215847/http://www.hive4media.com:80/news/html/theatrical_article.cfm?article_id=1531|title='Furious' Vin Diesel Will Star in Revolution Studios' Spy Thriller 'XXX'|website=[[hive4media.com]]|archive-date=August 9, 2001|date=July 31, 2001|access-date=September 21, 2019|via=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> It is believed that before Diesel was cast, [[Eric Bana]] turned down the lead role of Xander Cage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2002 |title=The incredible rise of Mr Bana |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-incredible-rise-of-mr-bana-20021015-gduotr.html |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=[[The Age]]}}</ref> In August 2001, Sony put up a large billboard advertising the film in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], before a script had been written.<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web |title = ''Extreme Weekend for XXXسکس '' (2002) |url = https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1232&p=.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date = May 23, 2012 }}</ref>


Filming took place at three locations. Most of the film is set in [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Koehler |first=Robert |title=XXX |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/xxx-1200546971/ |website=Variety |date=5 August 2002 |quote=highlighted by lenser Dean Semler and designer Gavin Bocquet turning Prague into one of pic’s major attractions.}}</ref> The Corvette jump was filmed at the [[Foresthill Bridge]] in [[Auburn State Recreation Area]], [[Auburn, California]].<ref name="cinemablend">{{cite web |author=PHILIP SLEDGE APR. 19. 2020 |title=xXx: 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About The Vin Diesel Movie |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494517/xxx-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-vin-diesel-movie |website=CINEMABLEND |date=19 April 2020}}</ref> The final scenes were set in [[Bora Bora]], [[Tahiti]], and other areas in southern West Virginia.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
Several Czech [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22s]] were used for the film. It was one of the last "actions" of these aircraft - [[Czech Air Force]] decommissioned Sukhois in 2002.


Several Czech [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22s]] were used for the film. It was one of the last actions of these aircraft&nbsp;– the [[Czech Air Force]] decommissioned Sukhois in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Stunt player Harry O'Connor, Diesel's stunt double, was killed when he hit a pillar of the Palacky Bridge in Prague, para-sailing during one of the action scenes. The accident occurred while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/11928 |title=Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news |publisher=Aintitcool.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-28}}</ref>
The first few minutes of the film take place at a [[Rammstein]] concert in Prague. The same clip is available, but from the band's perspective (with only brief scenes from the film) in their video compilation ''[[Lichtspielhaus]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rammstein.de/history/#/article=206&timestamp=999314159647 |title= Scene Shooting for the Movie Triple X |publisher=Rammstein & Pilgrim Management |accessdate=6 May 2012}}</ref>


Vin Diesel did many of his own stunts, director Rob Cohen said: "I think the thing is that Vin did more than he should have, but less than he wanted to." Diesel took a fall during the avalanche scene, and landed head first and wasn't moving, and Cohen was worried the star of the film might have broken his neck.<ref>{{cite AV media |title='XXX' Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkT5Ne5yes?t=170 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/BfkT5Ne5yes| archive-date=2021-10-30|time=2m50s |website=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="cinemablend" /> A scene where Cage [[BASE jumping|base jumps]] from a [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] was performed by [[Tim Rigby (stuntman)|Tim Rigby]] wearing a Vin Diesel mask.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 May 2017 |last=Kitchener |first=Shaun |title=xXx secrets revealed: How extreme sports pros helped with THESE incredible stunts |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/810558/xxx-stunts-secrets-Return-of-Xander-Cage-Vin-Diesel |website=Express.co.uk }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=World Stunt Awards 2003 |url=https://www.worldstuntawards.com/www/getFile.php?id=85&pos=7 |website=Worldstuntawards.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030719003247/https://www.worldstuntawards.com/www/getFile.php?id=85&pos=7 |archive-date=2003-07-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The motorcycle jump was performed by professional motocross rider and stuntman [[Jeremy Stenberg]], and Diesel's face was later added digitally.<ref name="cinemablend" />
==Soundtrack==
{{Main|xXx (soundtrack)}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2014}}
The [[film score]] was composed by [[Randy Edelman]], a frequent collaborator of Cohen's. The film also featured a contemporary [[rock music]] [[soundtrack]]. [[Rammstein]] provided some of the music and was even featured in the film in the opening scene. During the club scene in Prague, [[Orbital (band)|Orbital]] can be seen playing their exclusive track "Technologicque Park" live before the dancing crowd. The soundtrack album also features [[Queens of the Stone Age]], [[Drowning Pool]], [[Hatebreed]], [[Nelly]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[N.E.R.D]], and [[Moby]]. It was released on August 6, 2002 through [[Universal Records]]. It peaked at #9 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], #16 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] and #1 on the [[Top Soundtracks]]. The "Tweaker remix" of the song "Adrenaline" by [[Gavin Rossdale]] (the lead singer of [[Bush (band)|Bush]]) was featured was in the film, while the original version is included on the soundtrack.


Stunt player Harry O'Connor, Diesel's stunt double, was killed on April 4, 2002, when he hit a pillar of the [[Palacký Bridge]] in Prague while [[Parasailing|para-sailing]] during one of the action scenes. The accident occurred while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film, which was dedicated to him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/11928 |title=Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news |publisher=Aintitcool.com |date= April 7, 2002 |author=<!-- staff byline --> |access-date=2020-07-28 }}</ref>
==Reception==
''xXx'' received mixed reviews. [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 48% of the critics gave the film positive reviews based on a sample of 178 reviews, with an average score of 5.6/10.<ref name="review" /> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' enjoyed the film, giving it 3 and a half stars out of 4. It was a financial success with total gross $277,448,382.<ref name="boxoffice" />


The first few minutes of the film take place at a concert of German [[Neue Deutsche Härte]] band [[Rammstein]] in Prague, performing the song "[[Feuer Frei]]". The same clip is available, but from the band's perspective (with only brief scenes from the film) in their video compilation ''[[Lichtspielhaus]]''.<ref name="rammstein">{{cite web |url=http://www.rammstein.de/history/#/article=206&timestamp=999314159647 |title=Scene Shooting for the Movie Triple X |publisher=Rammstein & Pilgrim Management |access-date=6 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502204201/http://www.rammstein.de/history/#/article=206&timestamp=999314159647 |archive-date=2 May 2012 }}<!-- The archive link for this is a bad link too -->{{Dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=August 2020}}</ref>
This film was nominated for a [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Razzie Award]] for Most Flatulent Teen-Targeted Movie, but lost to ''[[Jackass: The Movie]]''.


==Director's cut==
== Music ==
{{Main|XXX (soundtrack)}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2014 }}
The [[film score]] was composed by [[Randy Edelman]], a frequent collaborator of Cohen's. The film also featured a contemporary [[rock music]] soundtrack. [[Rammstein]] provided some of the music and was even featured in the film in the opening scene. During the club scene in Prague, [[Orbital (band)|Orbital]] can be seen playing their exclusive track "Technologicque Park" live before the dancing crowd. The soundtrack album also features [[Queens of the Stone Age (album)|Queens of the Stone Age]], [[Drowning Pool]], [[Hatebreed]], [[Nelly]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[N.E.R.D]], [[Fermín IV]] and [[Moby]]. It was released on August 6, 2002, through [[Universal Records]]. It peaked at #9 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], #16 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] and #1 on the [[Top Soundtracks]]. The "Tweaker remix" of the song "Adrenaline" by [[Gavin Rossdale]] (the lead singer of [[Bush (British band)|Bush]]) was featured in the film, while the original version is included on the soundtrack. None of Edelman's score was included on the album, with a separate disc of his work released by [[Varèse Sarabande]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
The [[director's cut]] [[DVD]] of ''xXx'' was released on April 19, 2005, ten days before the [[sequel]] ''[[xXx: State of the Union|State of the Union]]'' was released in cinemas. The Director's Cut of ''xXx'' featured new artwork, and [[deleted scene]]s of ''xXx'' previously unseen. Some of these include additional scenes that foreshadowed Xander as a hero, and also a longer stripper-in-the-bedroom sequence. There were also sneak peeks at the sequel. Interestingly for Director's cuts, these scenes were cut by the director himself, for length and pacing.


== Reception ==
===''The Final Chapter: The Death of Xander Cage''===
=== Box office ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2014}}
{{Anchor|Box Office}}
In addition to the deleted scenes on the Director's Cut of ''xXx'', the DVD also contains an extra video titled ''The Final Chapter: The Death of Xander Cage'', a four-minute short film that attempts to tie up some loose ends about the Xander Cage character by showing his gory demise.


The film opened in 3,374 theaters and grossed $44,506,103 in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Brandon |date=August 12, 2002 |title=Extreme Weekend for 'XXX' |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed930350084/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515001229/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed930350084/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It grossed a total of $142 million, and a further $135 million internationally for a worldwide total of $277.4 million worldwide.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite web |title =XXX (2002) |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=xxx.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date = August 6, 2011 }}</ref>
In the short film, Cage is played by Vin Diesel's stunt double Khristian Lupo (who never shows his face or speaks) while reusing some lines spoken by Vin Diesel. It also features [[Leila Arcieri]] as Jordan King from the first film, and [[John G. Connolly]] as [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lt. Colonel]] Alabama "Bama" Cobb, one of the villains from the sequel ''[[xXx: State of the Union]]'', as the man behind the attack on Cage.


=== Critical response ===
The sequence opens with Xander driving in a car with Jordan King. He stops next to his apartment building. King makes sexual overtures to him and they get intimate. Suddenly they hear a noise and Xander goes to check it out. Cobb's men show up and abduct King. They plant a bomb in the building and drop her coat on the steps to trick Xander to his death. After confronting a homeless man, Xander returns to the building. He takes the bait left by Cobb and his henchmen and is apparently blown apart by a huge explosion. His trademark coat survives the blast. Cobb shows up and picks up a piece of skin from Xander's neck which has the triple x tattoo on it. He remarks "Poor Xander, you never had very much between the ears." His men pick him up and drive off in their car. Cobb's motives for killing Xander are obvious; he doesn't want him to interfere in Deckert's plans. [[Feuer Frei]] by [[Rammstein]] plays in the background during the sequence.
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 48% based on reviews from 180 critics, with an average rating of 5.59/10. The site's consensus reads: "It has an endearing lack of seriousness, and Vin Diesel has more than enough muscle for the starring role, but ultimately, ''XXX'' is a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the spy thriller genre."<ref>{{cite web |title = ''XXX'' (2002) |url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx/ |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date = July 31, 2020 }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 48 out of 100, based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=xXx |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/xxx |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2020-05-04 }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade A− on scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= XXX (2002) A- |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073531/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= February 6, 2018 }}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it {{frac|3|1|2}} stars out of 4, writing, "In its own punk way, ''XXX'' is as good as a good Bond movie, and that's saying something."<ref>{{cite web |date=August 9, 2002 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=XXX |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/xxx-2002 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |via=RogerEbert.com |access-date=October 11, 2017 }}</ref> Peter Travers of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote: "It's hard to hate a movie, even one this droolingly crass, that knows how to laugh at itself."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=9 August 2002 |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |title=xXx |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/xxx-120591/ |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref> Adam Smith of ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' called the movie, "Sporadically entertaining, but seriously hampered by a very choppy screenplay", and rating it three out of five stars.<ref>{{cite web |date=<!-- N/A website claims review posted 2 years before film was released --> |author=Adam Smith |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/xxx-review/ |title=XXX (2002) review |website= [[Empire (film magazine)]] |access-date=July 24, 2016 }}</ref>
==Sequels==
The film was followed by a [[sequel]] in 2005, entitled ''[[XXX: State of the Union|State of the Union]]'', starring the [[rapper]] [[Ice Cube (rapper)|Ice Cube]] and directed by [[Lee Tamahori]]. Neither Diesel, Cohen, nor ''xXx'' creator [[Rich Wilkes]] were involved in the sequel, and there were notable differences in both style (less emphasis on extreme sports) and music (rock music was replaced with [[hip hop]] and [[Rapping|rap]]). ''xXx: State of the Union'' was poorly received by critics. It currently has a rating of 16% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]].<ref>{{cite web |title = ''xXx: State of the Union'' (2005) |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/xxx2_state_of_the_union/ |work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate = August 30, 2011 }}</ref> The sequel was also a financial failure, making less than expected when compared to the original film.<ref>[http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/series/xXx.php XXX Franchise Earnings] on The Numbers</ref> In January 2014, [[Vin Diesel]] confirmed work on a sequel tentatively titled ''[[xXx: The Return of Xander Cage]]''. On August 23, 2015, Vin Diesel announced on his Instagram page that "While I was filming ''XXX'', guys on set called me Air Diesel... The time to return has come. Filming starts December in the Philippines. #ILiveForThisShit...".<ref>[https://instagram.com/p/6vVGJImPkq/]</ref> On October 10, 2015, it was reported that director [[D. J. Caruso]] will direct ''[[xXx: The Return of Xander Cage]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Osborn|first1=Alex|title=Vin Diesel: XXX 3 Will Be Directed by D.J. Caruso|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/10/vin-diesel-xxx-3-will-be-directed-by-dj-caruso|website=IGN.com|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> Diesel announced on his Instagram account that [[UFC]] fighter [[Conor McGregor]] was cast in a role and Facebook that Jackson will be reprising his role as Gibbons.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/_SRyqemPhR/]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/VinDiesel/photos/a.101465923312.101581.89562268312/10153907283683313/?type=3]</ref> In January 2016, Twitch reports that [[Tony Jaa]], [[Jet Li]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] are cast in roles, [[Nina Dobrev]] and [[Ruby Rose]] were cast in roles with Dobrev as a witty and sarcastic techie, Padukone as a huntress who happens to be Cage’s former lover and Rose will play a sniper and Li was confirmed in the film as the leader of his own team and will square off against Cage, it's whether he is the ultimate villain of the pic remains to be seen. Andrey Ivchenko was confirmed to be another villain in the film as one of the big bads Diesel is set to lock horns with, given that earlier reports revealed Li also joined the threequel as a potential adversary. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitchfilm.com/2016/01/tony-jaa-jet-li-and-deepika-padukone-join-vin-diesel-in-xxx-the-return-of-xander-cage.html|title=Tony Jaa, Jet Li and Deepika Padukone Join Vin Diesel In XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE|publisher=Twitch|last=Brown|first=Todd|date=January 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/nina-dobrev-ruby-rose-talks-853053|title=Nina Dobrev and Ruby Rose in Talks to Join Vin Diesel in 'XXX 3' (Exclusive)|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=January 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BAQtscwMZea/</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jet-li-set-fight-vin-857197|title=Jet Li Set to Fight Vin Diesel in 'xXx 3'|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=January 20, 2016}} </ref> On February 12, 2016, reports brought in the news that Jet Li dropped out of the film and was replaced with [[Donnie Yen]] in the role of the main antagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitchfilm.com/2016/02/donnie-yen-in-jet-li-out-of-xxx-the-return-of-xander-cage.html|title=Donnie Yen In, Jet Li Out Of XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE|publisher=Twitch|last=Marsh|first=James|date=February 12, 2016|accessdate=February 12, 2016}}</ref>


This film was nominated for a [[23rd Golden Raspberry Awards|Razzie Award]] for Most Flatulent Teen-Targeted Movie, but lost to ''[[Jackass: The Movie]]''.
==See also ==

* [[List of film accidents]]
== See also ==
* [[XXX (video game)|''XXX'' (video game)]]

== References ==


==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote|xXx}}
{{Wikiquote|XXX}}
* {{IMDb title|0295701|xXx}}
* {{IMDb title|0295701|XXX}}
* {{amg movie|260394|xXx}}
* {{mojo title|xxx|XXX}}
* {{mojo title|xxx|xXx}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|xxx|xXx}}
* {{metacritic film|xxx|xXx}}
* {{imcdb movie|295701-xXx|xXx}}


{{XXX}}
{{XXX}}
{{Rob Cohen}}
{{Rob Cohen}}
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[[Category:2000s Spanish-language films]]
[[Category:Czech-language films]]
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Latest revision as of 14:42, 22 December 2024

XXX
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRob Cohen
Written byRich Wilkes
Produced byNeal H. Moritz
Starring
CinematographyDean Semler
Edited by
Music byRandy Edelman
Production
company
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing[1]
Release date
  • August 9, 2002 (2002-08-09)
Running time
124 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$88.3 million[3]
Box office$277.4 million[4]

XXX (stylized as xXx and pronounced Triple X) is a 2002 American action film directed by Rob Cohen, produced by Neal H. Moritz and written by Rich Wilkes. The first installment in the xXx film series, the film stars Vin Diesel as Xander Cage, a thrill-seeking extreme sports enthusiast, stuntman, and rebellious athlete-turned-reluctant spy for the National Security Agency. Cage is sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate a group of potential Russian terrorists in Central Europe. The film also stars Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, and Samuel L. Jackson. Cohen, Moritz, and Diesel had previously worked on The Fast and the Furious (2001) as director, producer and cast member respectively. The film grossed $277.4 million worldwide and was followed by two sequels, xXx: State of the Union (2005) and xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017).

Plot

Russian terrorist group Anarchy 99 acquires the biochemical weapon "Silent Night", presumed missing since the fall of the Soviet Union. Undercover NSA agent Jim McGrath is assigned to recover the weapon but is killed by Anarchy 99 at a Rammstein concert.

NSA Agent Augustus Gibbons suggests sending Xander "XXX" Cage, an extreme sports professional wanted for unlawful protesting, citing his lack of ties to the US government. Under Gibbons' supervision, Cage passes two field tests and reluctantly accepts the job, as the other option is prison.

In Prague, Cage meets his team which includes his supervisor, Czech agent Milan Sova. While scouting an Anarchy 99 party, Cage identifies Sova as a police officer, earning him favor with the group and catching the attention of the leader Yorgi. Cage asks Yorgi about purchasing high end sports cars, and Yorgi's girlfriend and lieutenant Yelena, gives Cage an account number.

Gibbons calls Cage about changes to the plan but is impressed when he gives them information provided by Kolya, Yorgi's star-struck younger brother. Tech-specialist Agent Toby Shavers then provides Cage with gadgets including a revolver with special ammo, binoculars that can see through walls and explosives disguised as bandages.

As Cage attends the car deal he made with Yorgi, Sova attempts to intercede. Using the special ammo, Cage fakes Sova's death. Having earned Yorgi's trust, Cage joins Anarchy 99. Yorgi brings Cage back to a castle after a dance party at one of his nightclubs that serves as Anarchy 99's headquarters. Cage, while searching for the biochemical weapon, catches Yelena investigating Yorgi's secret safe. He takes her to a nearby restaurant to discuss the matter and reveals his true identity.

Sova betrays Cage to Yorgi, so he sends his trusted sniper Kirill to kill him. While watching the pair, Kirill, who is in love with Yelena, warns her. As Cage and Yelena stage a fight, the NSA suddenly appears to capture him, and Yelena is taken back to Anarchy 99.

Cage meets with Gibbons, who demands he return to America as his cover is blown and special forces are planning to siege the castle. He refuses, fearing for Yelena's life and bitter that Sova blew his cover. Cage sneaks into Yorgi's castle and follows him into a secret underground lab. Overhearing his plan to launch "Silent Night" from the water-borne drone Ahab; he first tests the weapon on the scientists who developed it, to Cage and Yelena's horror. Cage flees the area after killing Kolya. At his hideout, Sova is waiting for him, now with Yorgi. Yelena saves Cage, revealing herself to be an abandoned undercover Russian Federal Security Service agent. Cage relays Yorgi's plans to the NSA in return for Yelena's asylum.

Against orders, Shavers heavily arms Cage's car, who then parachutes from a plane on a snowboard near Anarchy 99's communication tower. The avalanche he starts destroys the tower but he is captured by Yorgi, who already knew Yelena's identity. As Yorgi prepares to kill them, the special forces attack. Cage and Yelena free themselves, but Yorgi launches Ahab before Cage kills him. The Czech military prepares to destroy Ahab with airstrikes, though this will release some of the biochemical agent. Cage and Yelena take his heavily modified car, to catch up to Ahab. Cage harpoons and disables the weapon moments before it goes off.

Cage and Yelena are recovered, and Gibbons follows through on his promises. Sometime later, the couple is relaxing in Bora Bora when Gibbons contacts him for another mission, but Cage ignores him.

Cast

  • Vin Diesel as Xander "XXX" Cage, a thrill-seeking American extreme sports enthusiast, stuntman, and anti-establishment activist. Idolized in some sub-cultures, Cage is also hunted by the authorities and he is offered a deal to become a spy for the National Security Agency in exchange for leniency, the agency requiring an agent who can do the current job without the military professional training that Anarchy 99's background will allow them to recognise.
  • Samuel L. Jackson as Augustus Gibbons, a high-ranking official in the National Security Agency who has the power to give Cage a pardon for his crimes. He uses this fact as leverage to recruit Cage for a mission because he knows Cage is the only person who could successfully infiltrate Anarchy 99, recognising the benefits of Cage's rebellious attitude and unorthodox methods.
  • William Hope as Roger Donnan, the associate and administrator of the National Security Agency.
  • Danny Trejo as "El Jefe", a torturer for a Colombian drug cartel.
  • Asia Argento as Yelena, Yorgi's apparent girlfriend. Originally a Russian intelligence agent, sent to watch over Yorgi but has since been abandoned by her superiors. Yelena becomes romantically involved with Cage and he attempts to get her political asylum in the United States for her assistance in bringing down Yorgi.
  • Marton Csokas as Yorgi, a former soldier in the Soviet Army, now a wealthy hedonist owning a string of properties around Eastern Europe, including a castle and nightclubs. Yorgi is also the leader of Anarchy 99, a group of militant anarchists with a disdain for all forms of government and authority, and society in general. His ultimate aim is complete lawlessness across the world.
  • Michael Roof as Toby Lee Shavers, an NSA techno-genius and gadget specialist.
  • Richy Müller as Milan Sova, a cop and double agent.
  • Werner Daehn as Kirill, a member of Anarchy 99, cigarette addict and sharpshooter.
  • Petr Jákl as Kolya, Yorgi's younger brother.
  • Jan Pavel Filipensky as Viktor, a member of Anarchy 99 and close friend of Yorgi. He is usually with Yorgi wherever he goes.
  • Tom Everett as Dick Hotchkiss, a conservative California State Senator; his car is stolen and wrecked by Cage prior to his recruitment by the NSA, as a protest against some of Hotchkiss's policies.
  • Thomas Ian Griffith as Jim McGrath, an undercover agent killed by Anarchy 99 while trying to retrieve the Silent Night weapon.
  • Eve as J.J., Xander's friend
  • Leila Arcieri as Jordan King
  • Rammstein as themselves
  • Orbital as themselves

To imply Xander Cage's credibility within extreme sport subcultures, various personalities make cameo appearances:

  • Tony Hawk makes a cameo appearance in the Corvette scene from the bottom of the bridge driving the getaway Cadillac, (near the beginning of the film) and skating over a half-pipe at Xander's place later.
  • Mike Vallely also makes a cameo as a cameraman and an extra. Pro motocross rider Carey Hart is seen in the back seat of the Cadillac driven by Tony Hawk.
  • BMX rider Mat Hoffman exchanges lines with Xander during the party scene.
  • Also during the party scene, Josh Todd (the lead singer of Buckcherry) makes a cameo appearance though he never turns around, but his suicide king of hearts tattoo can be seen on his back.

Production

In July 2001 it was announced that Vin Diesel will receive in the neighborhood of $10 million to star in the film, with an initial release date of July 26, 2002.[5] It is believed that before Diesel was cast, Eric Bana turned down the lead role of Xander Cage.[6] In August 2001, Sony put up a large billboard advertising the film in Hollywood, before a script had been written.[7]

Filming took place at three locations. Most of the film is set in Prague, Czech Republic.[8] The Corvette jump was filmed at the Foresthill Bridge in Auburn State Recreation Area, Auburn, California.[9] The final scenes were set in Bora Bora, Tahiti, and other areas in southern West Virginia.[citation needed]

Several Czech Su-22s were used for the film. It was one of the last actions of these aircraft – the Czech Air Force decommissioned Sukhois in 2002.[citation needed]

Vin Diesel did many of his own stunts, director Rob Cohen said: "I think the thing is that Vin did more than he should have, but less than he wanted to." Diesel took a fall during the avalanche scene, and landed head first and wasn't moving, and Cohen was worried the star of the film might have broken his neck.[10][9] A scene where Cage base jumps from a Corvette was performed by Tim Rigby wearing a Vin Diesel mask.[11][12] The motorcycle jump was performed by professional motocross rider and stuntman Jeremy Stenberg, and Diesel's face was later added digitally.[9]

Stunt player Harry O'Connor, Diesel's stunt double, was killed on April 4, 2002, when he hit a pillar of the Palacký Bridge in Prague while para-sailing during one of the action scenes. The accident occurred while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film, which was dedicated to him.[13]

The first few minutes of the film take place at a concert of German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein in Prague, performing the song "Feuer Frei". The same clip is available, but from the band's perspective (with only brief scenes from the film) in their video compilation Lichtspielhaus.[14]

Music

Main article: XXX (soundtrack)

The film score was composed by Randy Edelman, a frequent collaborator of Cohen's. The film also featured a contemporary rock music soundtrack. Rammstein provided some of the music and was even featured in the film in the opening scene. During the club scene in Prague, Orbital can be seen playing their exclusive track "Technologicque Park" live before the dancing crowd. The soundtrack album also features Queens of the Stone Age, Drowning Pool, Hatebreed, Nelly, Lil Wayne, N.E.R.D, Fermín IV and Moby. It was released on August 6, 2002, through Universal Records. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200, #16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #1 on the Top Soundtracks. The "Tweaker remix" of the song "Adrenaline" by Gavin Rossdale (the lead singer of Bush) was featured in the film, while the original version is included on the soundtrack. None of Edelman's score was included on the album, with a separate disc of his work released by Varèse Sarabande.[citation needed]

Reception

Box office

The film opened in 3,374 theaters and grossed $44,506,103 in its opening weekend.[15] It grossed a total of $142 million, and a further $135 million internationally for a worldwide total of $277.4 million worldwide.[4]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 48% based on reviews from 180 critics, with an average rating of 5.59/10. The site's consensus reads: "It has an endearing lack of seriousness, and Vin Diesel has more than enough muscle for the starring role, but ultimately, XXX is a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the spy thriller genre."[16] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 48 out of 100, based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[17] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade A− on scale of A to F.[18]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it 3+1⁄2 stars out of 4, writing, "In its own punk way, XXX is as good as a good Bond movie, and that's saying something."[19] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote: "It's hard to hate a movie, even one this droolingly crass, that knows how to laugh at itself."[20] Adam Smith of Empire called the movie, "Sporadically entertaining, but seriously hampered by a very choppy screenplay", and rating it three out of five stars.[21]

This film was nominated for a Razzie Award for Most Flatulent Teen-Targeted Movie, but lost to Jackass: The Movie.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "XXX (2002)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  2. ^ "XXX (12A) (CUT)". British Board of Film Classification. 2002-09-24. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  3. ^ Lang, Brent (September 1, 2011). "'Inside the Revolution Library: Where Joe Roth Went Wrong". TheWrap.com. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "XXX (2002)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "'Furious' Vin Diesel Will Star in Revolution Studios' Spy Thriller 'XXX'". hive4media.com. July 31, 2001. Archived from the original on August 9, 2001. Retrieved September 21, 2019 – via The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. ^ "The incredible rise of Mr Bana". The Age. October 15, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "Extreme Weekend for XXXسکس (2002)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  8. ^ Koehler, Robert (5 August 2002). "XXX". Variety. highlighted by lenser Dean Semler and designer Gavin Bocquet turning Prague into one of pic's major attractions.
  9. ^ a b c PHILIP SLEDGE APR. 19. 2020 (19 April 2020). "xXx: 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About The Vin Diesel Movie". CINEMABLEND.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ 'XXX' Interview. YouTube. Event occurs at 2m50s. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.
  11. ^ Kitchener, Shaun (29 May 2017). "xXx secrets revealed: How extreme sports pros helped with THESE incredible stunts". Express.co.uk.
  12. ^ "World Stunt Awards 2003". Worldstuntawards.com. Archived from the original on 2003-07-19.
  13. ^ "Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Aintitcool.com. April 7, 2002. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  14. ^ "Scene Shooting for the Movie Triple X". Rammstein & Pilgrim Management. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ Gray, Brandon (August 12, 2002). "Extreme Weekend for 'XXX'". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  16. ^ "XXX (2002)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  17. ^ "xXx". Metacritic. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  18. ^ "XXX (2002) A-". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  19. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 9, 2002). "XXX". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 11, 2017 – via RogerEbert.com.
  20. ^ Travers, Peter (9 August 2002). "xXx". Rolling Stone.
  21. ^ Adam Smith. "XXX (2002) review". Empire (film magazine). Retrieved July 24, 2016.
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