XXX (stylized as xXx and pronounced Triple X) is a 2002 American action spy film directed by Rob Cohen and written by Rich Wilkes. Produced by Neal H. Moritz, the film stars Vin Diesel as extreme sports athlete Xander Cage, who is recruited by the National Security Agency (NSA) for an undercover mission in Central Europe. The cast also features Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The film is the first installment in the XXX film series. Released on August 9, 2002, it grossed $277.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $88.3 million. The film was followed by two sequels: xXx: State of the Union (2005) and xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017).
Plot
A Russian anarchist group known as Anarchy 99 acquires the chemical weapon “Silent Night,” believed lost after the collapse of the Soviet Union. NSA agent Jim McGrath is sent to recover it but is killed. Seeking an unconventional operative, Agent Augustus Gibbons recruits thrill-seeker Xander “XXX” Cage, who is facing prison for his rebellious exploits.
Cage undergoes NSA field tests before being sent to Prague, where he infiltrates Anarchy 99, led by former Soviet soldier Yorgi. Cage meets Yorgi’s girlfriend Yelena, who secretly works as a Russian intelligence agent. As Cage uncovers Yorgi’s plans to unleash Silent Night via a water-borne drone, he and Yelena are betrayed, captured, and nearly killed.
In the climax, Cage pursues the drone using his heavily modified car, ultimately disabling the weapon moments before detonation. With Yorgi defeated, Cage and Yelena are granted asylum and later seen vacationing in Bora Bora, though Gibbons hints at more missions ahead.
Cast
- Vin Diesel as Xander “XXX” Cage
- Samuel L. Jackson as Agent Augustus Gibbons
- Asia Argento as Yelena
- Marton Csokas as Yorgi
- Michael Roof as Toby Shavers, NSA technician
- Richy Müller as Milan Sova
- Werner Daehn as Kirill
- Thomas Ian Griffith as Agent Jim McGrath
- Eve as J.J.
- Leila Arcieri as Jordan King
Cameos include professional athletes Tony Hawk, Carey Hart, Mat Hoffman, and Mike Vallely, as well as musicians Rammstein and Orbital, who perform in key sequences.
Production
Development of XXX began in 2001, with Vin Diesel receiving $10 million for the lead role. Before Diesel was cast, actor Eric Bana was reportedly considered. Filming took place across Prague, California, Bora Bora, and West Virginia.
The production used Czech Su-22 fighter jets and staged large-scale stunts. Diesel performed many of his own stunts, though professionals such as Jeremy Stenberg handled the more dangerous sequences.
Tragedy struck when Diesel’s stunt double Harry O’Connor was killed during a parasailing stunt in Prague, though his completed first take was included in the final cut. The film is dedicated to him.
Music
The score was composed by Randy Edelman, while the soundtrack featured contemporary rock and hip-hop artists. Bands such as Rammstein, Orbital, Queens of the Stone Age, Drowning Pool, and N.E.R.D. contributed songs. Released on August 6, 2002, the soundtrack peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
Reception
Box Office
XXX opened in 3,374 theaters and grossed $44.5 million in its opening weekend. It earned $142 million domestically and $135 million internationally, totaling $277.4 million worldwide.
Critical Response
The film received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 48% approval rating, while Metacritic also scores it 48/100. Audiences, however, were more favorable, giving it an A− CinemaScore.
Roger Ebert praised the film as “a punk version of James Bond,” while other critics noted its flashy stunts but criticized its screenplay. XXX was nominated for a Razzie Award for “Most Flatulent Teen-Targeted Movie,” but lost to Jackass: The Movie.
