XXX [WS Special Edition]

Director: Rob Cohen Rob Cohen

Overview

"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."

Product Details

Release Date:	12/31/2002
UPC:	0043396082939
Original Release:	2002
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	SONY PICTURES
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:04:00

Special Features

Closed Caption;Digitally mastered audio & anamorphic video; Director's commentary; "A Filmmaker's Diary" documentary; "Diesel Powered" featurette; "Building Speed: The Vehicles of XXX" featurette; "Designing the World of XXX" featurette; "The GTO is Back" featurette; 11deleted scenes with optional director commentary; Visual effects "how-to's"; Scene deconstructions (multi-angle); Storyboard comparisons; Music video: "Adrenaline" by Gavin Rossdale; DVD-ROM extras: Screenplay, Agent Shavers' GTO manual, web links; Filmographies; Animated interactive menus; Motion scene selection

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Vin Diesel	Xander Cage
Asia Argento	Yelena
Samuel L. Jackson	Gibbons
Marton Csokas	Yorgi
Danny Trejo	El Jefe
Michael Roof	Shavers
Tom Everett	Sen. Hotchkiss
Jan Pavel Filipensky	Viktor,Viktor
Rick Thorne	Caddy Passenger
Thomas Ian Griffith	McGrath
Eve	J.J.
Richy Müller	Milan Sova
Leila Arcieri	Jordan
Werner Dähn	Kirill
Colin McKay	Van Driver
William Hope	Agent Roger Donnan
Randy Edelman	Composer,Actor
Martin Barta	Male Opera Singer
Martina Bauerova	Female Opera Singer
Rammstein	Themselves
Orbital	Themselves
Petr Jákl	Kolya
Armando Cantina	Field Worker
Alena Cihalikova	Xander's Bedroom Dancer
Esteban Cueto	Gold Tooth Narco
Roman Matrka	Czech Agent
Joshua Montero	Child Field Worker
F. Morales	Short Order Cook/NSA Agent
Michal Muller	Zither Player
Ivan Rueda	Child Field Worker
Leonard Thomas	NSA Agent
Marek Vasut	Czech General
Dean Semler	Actor
Rob Cohen	Actor
Rich Wilkes	Actor
Vitezsalv Bouchner	Head Technician
Todd Garner	Actor
David Minkowski	Actor
Neal H. Moritz	Actor
Michelle Purple	Actor
Matthew Stillman	Actor
George Zakk	Actor
Joe Bucaro III	Actor
Werner Daehn	Kirill
Ted Maynard	James Tannick
David Asman	Agent Polk
Chris Gann	T.J.
Martin Hub	Ivan Podrov
Radek Tomecka	Ivan Pedgrag
Mary-Pat Green	Waitress
Tanner Gill	Trucker
Scott Waugh	Stockbroker
Václav Chalupa	Nervous Hacker
Martina Smuková	Female Czech Cop
TeeJay Boyce	Bimbo Intern
Tony Hawk	Caddy Driver
Mat Hoffman	Extreme Guy
Brian Deegan	Extreme Guy
Mike Vallely	Skater
Mike Escamilla	Ramp Truck Passenger
Rob Wells	Hillside Video Shooter
Carey Hart	Caddy Passenger
Jason Ellis	Van Video Shooter
Marek Va¿ut	Czech General
Lubos Pospísil	Czech Major
Ivo Niederle	Head Chemist

Technical Credits

Rich Wilkes

Rob Cohen	Director
Rich Wilkes	Screenwriter
James Arnett	Stunts
Pavel Cajzl	Stunts
Vin Diesel	Executive Producer
Kate Dowd	Casting
John Frazier	Special Effects
Todd Garner	Executive Producer,Producer
Lance Gilbert	Stunts
Joel Hynek	Special Effects
Ronna Kress	Casting
Neal H. Moritz	Producer,Director
Stan Parks	Special Effects
Arne L. Schmidt	Executive Producer,Executive Producer,Producer
George Zakk	Executive Producer,Producer
Creighton Bellinger	Producer
Derek Dauchy	Producer
Spencer Alexander	Special Effects
Chad Algarin	Sound Effects
Paul Aulicino	Sound Effects
Bruce Barris	Sound Effects
Gary Blufer	Sound Effects
Michael C. Casper	Sound Effects
Chris Logan	Special Effects
Michaela Dvorska	Stunts
H. Barclay Aaris	Special Effects
Marc Anderson	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

Rob Cohen's XXX seems to be inspired by video games. Loud electronic European techno music (including a hilarious cover of the famous score from The Third Man) accompanies Xander Cane, played with great tough-guy panache by Vin Diesel, as he shoots guns, out-snowboards an avalanche, brings down a drug cartel, drives real real fast, beds Asia Argento, and blows stuff up. Borrowing the plot points familiar to anyone who has ever seen a James Bond film, XXX certainly finds an energy that has been missing from those films. What sets this film apart from other films obviously aimed at the international action market is the lead actor. Diesel is a compelling figure. He appears to genuinely enjoy himself on screen without resorting to self-mockery that would pull the audience out of the movie. Like the most memorable Bond actors, he wants the audience to have as good a time watching the movie as he did making it. On that level the film is a success. There may not be anything original about XXX, but it is an energetic addition to a familiar genre.