Search - XXX [Widescreen Special Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Adult Humor Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 12/31/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 4 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Total Copies: 179 Genres: Action, Action Thriller, Glamorized Spy Film See Also: XXX [Fullscreen Special Edition], XXX [Superbit], XXX, XXX [UMD for PSP], XXX [Blu-ray]

The director (Rob Cohen) and star (Vin Diesel) of the previous summer's hit The Fast and the Furious (2001) are reunited for this spy thriller billed as a next-generation James Bond adventure. Diesel stars as Xander Cage, a nihilist extreme sports enthusiast nicknamed "Triple X" because of a large tattoo covering his back and neck. Cage's illegal stunts and poor attitude (he's given to spouting dialogue such as, "Have you ever been punched in the face for talking too much?") land him in jail, where he's recruited/blackmailed into government service by the National Security Agency's Augustus Gibbons, who likes Cage for his skills and expendability. The new secret agent is assigned to infiltrate a Russian crime ring called Anarchy 99, whose access to biochemical weaponry is making the United States extremely nervous. With the help of some high-tech gadgets from weapons master Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), Cage is able to make his way into Anarchy 99, where he targets the group's leader Yorgi (Marton Csokas) and falls for the organization's second-in-command, Yelena (Asia Argento). XXX (2002) is the first in a hoped-for franchise of sequels for the film's producer, Revolution Studios. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Vin Diesel - Xander "XXX" Cage
Asia Argento - Yelena
Marton Csokas - Yorgi
Samuel L. Jackson - Agent Gibbons

If any movie was made for DVD, XXX, a video game disguised as a film, is the one. And what a DVD! Though it could easily have been a two-disc set, Columbia Pictures opted for a single platter, but loaded it up. To begin with is an exceptional 40-minute documentary called "A Filmmaker's Diary," covering everything from pre- to post-production. Beyond this are three more featurettes on the vehicles, Vin Diesel, and the world of XXX. The final featurette is a pathetic promotional piece for Pontiac's GTO. This is nothing more than a commercial for their upcoming car and has little to do with the movie. Along with that is a brief section on some visual effects for the avalanche scene. The shots are silent so the optional commentary by Joel Hynek of Digital Domain is almost necessary. In addition are ten deleted scenes with optional director's commentary, a music video from Gavin Rossdale for "Adrenaline," some filmographies, and the theatrical trailer for this film, plus trailers for Anger Management and Darkness Falls. If that wasn't enough, director Rob Cohen provides a scene-specific commentary that is really interesting and never dull. While the supplements are outstanding, the image and sound equal them in every way. Possibly even better than the image is the sound. The 5.1 Dolby Digital track (a DTS would have equally rocked, but isn't offered) is loud, loud, and loud. Dialogue is surprising not obscured, but this track is alive throughout the film. Surrounds are aggressive and used at just the right moments for wonderful effect. Finally, the image is framed at 2.35:1 and, of course, anamorphic. A pan and scan version is available separately, but with this type of film, any cut in picture size would ruin the effect. It's reference quality all the way. Detail is solid, and the darker scenes show no sign of breakdown. Would anything less be expected anymore? Certainly not. Colors are equally strong, with a subdued saturation that mimics the theatrical print perfectly. The critics tended to hate this film, but if you want action, and you want an exceptional DVD to go along with it, go no further than XXX. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide