First, the Recap:
Back from the extreme death we were led to believe he experienced years ago, xXx super agent Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) makes a newly extreme entrance onto the international scene in the wake of the program’s Augustus Gibbon’s (Samuel L. Jackson) unexpected exit, perpetrated by a group of equally adept mercenaries–Xiang (Donnie Yen), Serena Unger (Deepika Padukone), and Talon (Tony Jaa)–who’ve captured a device that can control all the world’s satellites and turn them into meteoric weapons. Reluctantly recruited to track down the device by shady CIA agent Jane Marke (Toni Collette), Cage assembles a team as extreme as he is–Adele Wolff (Ruby Rose), Tennyson Torch (Rory McCann), and Nicks (Kris Wu)–to get the job done. With the additional support of nerdy but very forward techie Becky Clearidge (Nina Dobrev), Cage and crew take on the highly skilled villains until revelations change the game.
Worth Seeing: Yes
Shakespeare it ain’t, and why would we want it any other way! Director D.J. Caruso brings Xander Cage back in all-out, over-the-top action and general bravado with this effort that sees the American film debut of one of Bollywood’s biggest guns, Deepika Padukone, who more than holds her own amidst the action while bringing a smoldering sexiness to the proceedings. Explosions, gunfights, fisticuffs, aerial insanity, car chases, and skiing down a hillside after jumping off a communications tower are but some of the mayhem included here while also presenting the quip-laden dialogue and overall macho demeanor one would likewise expect. Diesel brings it as always and truly all of the supporting cast listed above is just a much fun in their own rights for what they bring to affairs. Dobrev’s Clearidge was a pleasant bit of comic relief with her character’s overt fan boy, starry-eyed attitude around Cage. Yes, folks, Cage is back, bigger and badder than ever, with extremely fun and entertaining movie watching in tow.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
