Introducing the 3rd instalment of the XXX franchise with the original XXX hero himself, Xander Cage (played Vin Diesel), as he returns to the action once again. After being left for dead after an incident, Xander secretly returns to action for a brand new assignment which also includes saving the world.
This time Xander won’t be accepting the mission all on his own. We are introduced to many other characters who, like him, carry a set of skills. Some of these “so-called” skills can be questionable; for example, one man’s skill is simply being able to distract people, another is someone whose passion is to crash into cars, and the crazy list of people goes on.
After leaving a poor taste in my mouth from the previous instalment, XXX 2: State of The Union (Also known as XXX: The Next Level), the only way the series could be saved at all was to have Xander Cage return as it simply wasn’t the same without this original lead. Films like 2002’s XXX boosted Vin Diesel’s acting career as fans started calling the XXX character a new and modern-day James Bond.
But don’t get too excited. This mission could still be Xander’s last. I understand that XXX is pure popcorn entertainment with outrageous stunts and plots but this latest instalment is overall cheesy and frustrating. XXX is a man we need to save the world, but he requires help from others? Since when!? Xander is no longer the main focus, and it seems very bizarre that this film is to transition the franchise to more of a group effect vs a one-man show. This film’s plot also doesn’t explain much which can be annoying, especially for those who are expecting a continuation or explanation from the two previous films.
Xander’s ego is also at an all-time peak. Xander encounters many women who just drool, stare at these muscles and even share their so-called “safe word” in a matter of sentences (no, seriously, I’m not even kidding).
The plot is confusing, lazy and, not to mention, also has a predictable 3rd act in regards to the main villain. Except for a couple of surprisingly fun action scenes (thanks to actor Donnie Yen!), this film is disappointing and disjointed from the previous instalments. Even the return of Xander’s handler Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L Jackson) couldn’t help save this film, as Augustus acts loud and silly compared to the serious and controlled character we once saw. 2002’s XXX was fun enough because it created a character that had done wrong in the past and was able to do something right while still having fun when it came to action and saving the world. By this 3rd instalment, all of this goes out the window and just tries way too hard to be funny and becomes silly and childish…
Overall, XXX Return of Xander Cage is a disappointing third instalment. What could have been a film to save the series and make it grow into something bigger has crashed and burned. With annoying characters hogging screen time and Xander now carrying a bigger head, this new instalment will please those who want to watch a movie that has brainless action sequences and is happy to accept that it will have nothing more than that.
3.7/10
15th June 2017
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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