Reunion of the exes
Bakang Israel | Friday February 3, 2017 14:34
This acclaimed big screen show commands a good fan base and has been AWOL for the past 12 years since its last retcon release in 2005’s xxx: State Of The Union that starred Ice Cube. Vin Diesel returns to his infiltrator role starring as agent xXx. This time around X is the answer finding Pandora box.
Extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) comes out of self-imposed exile and is on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Thrill seekers rejoiced as they caught up with daredevil superstars Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson for this action gala. These are the two big name Hollywood superstars who thrive on exhilaration and stunt moments. These two actors have starred in hit films such as Riddick, Fast and Furious as well as Marvel superhero blockbusters like Captain America and Avengers respectively.
Action
After a very explosive trailer, the main course also didn’t disappoint as it left tongues wagging. It had the cinemas filled up with hordes of enthusiasts beaming with anticipation. Return of Xander Cage bamboozled fans with so much action, like high octane adrenalin stunts like bungee diving, xXx and nemesis Xiang jumping off telephone towers and sky scrapers as their statement of intent entrances to the minds of viewers. This laid down the foundations on what to expect from these two rogue operatives. The expectations for this blockbuster were even beyond the Goliath magnitude. So for espionage franchise to lay down a footprint it had to thrive on catalysts like suspense as seen on other films such as Jason Bourne (2016). As such xXx did relatively well by treating movie enthusiasts to an intriguing mystery tale that featured dangerous missions that unearthed villains whilst blowing covers for undercover secret agents and forging new unexpected alliances. For instance during all this tracking and chases across the globe, I enjoyed the fact that the film was balanced, it introduced us to new lethal characters and female characters for that matter like assassin sharp shooters and rogue mercenaries.
The film is also made fun by the fact that it feature some stars from today’s trending hit TV series like Game of Thrones and The Vampire Diaries. Apart from that it is going to be a mammoth task for a film that had a 12-year absence to lay down a statement without an audacious identity. So the creators opted to envisage the nostalgia laid down by predecessor films as the film catches some steam it takes one down memory lane with stars from the past bringing wit.
For me personally I felt that this latest sequel was fun and all that but it lacked that vigour from villain madness or serious antagonism. It was rather lukewarm. The major highlight that am willing to share is this particular action sequence that left fans drooling in admiration when sniper Adelle wolf shot a bad guy from a building across through agent XxX’s finger as the bullet flew across passing X fingers as he was held hostage at gun point. That was one of the coolest moments reminiscent of Angelina Jolie’s 2008 thriller, Wanted alongside Morgan Freeman. That received cheers from the crowd in attendance during the exclusive premiere. Lastly the film is eloquently funny as well as Samuel L. Jackson brought some BET comedy to this franchise, faking his death then turning to the funeral preaching some funny stuff to Xander.
The cinematography was on point, the film looked dazzling in 3D taking enthusiast to the scenery of the ever green south America, to the Asian coastal and to the urban metropolis of Donald Trump lands. It incorporates themes of espionage, national security, greed, power and vengeance.
Quotes from the movie that shed humor
Gibbins: This is some very twisted s*it, being at your own funeral
Jane: We need somebody who can move like them, somebody who can be a ghost like them
Reception
This second sequel to the 2002 seed planted by then director Rob Cohen is now failing to spark at box office. Tasked with toppling the worldwide gross of $277 million dollars amassed by the first film, XxX: Return of Xander Cage has already dropped out of the top five with two weeks on circuit. Vin Diesel’s escapades premiered with $20 million last week, before grossing a total worldwide sum of $122 million in two weeks.
Movie: xXx: Return Of Xander Cage in 3D
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Duration: 1 hour 47mins
Age Restriction: 13
Release Date: January 27
Director: D.J. Caruso
Main Stars: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Tony Jah,
Top five movies in the world currently
1. Split
2. A Dog’s Purpose Office Christmas Party
3. Hidden Figures
4. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
5. La La Land
Ratings
The hype was too much for this film, but the end product turned out to be average. I rate it a 6.7/ 10 perhaps the next sequel will be more ruthless.