325 replies to this topic

[freemo]

Argento says she has never seen a Bond movie, adding "They are very sexist"

I sort of stopped reading after that.

Nope, I didn't go to see it, I bought a Diamonds Are Forever poster instead, now that's a far better way to part with your earnings.

[brendan007]

Originally posted by freemo

Nope, I didn't go to see it, I bought a Diamonds Are Forever poster instead, now that's a far better way to part with your earnings.

agreed. i wouldve even prefered to buy a licence to kill poster. worse waste of ten dollars ive ever made.

[Hardyboy]

Thought I'd share this. Today in one of the classes I teach, one of my female students said that, even though it was a terrible movie, she went to see xXx just because she thinks Vin Diesel is "gorgeous." What's more, a lot of my other female students--BTW, these were all college freshmen and sophomores--chimed in with their agreement. I'm no judge of male beauty, but to me Diesel looks like he needs to be sprayed for body lice. And I didn't have the heart to tell my students about this little discussion. . .

[Loomis]

Has anyone here actually paid to see xXx, or is everyone avoiding it on principle? If you've checked it out, what's it like?

[1q2w3e4r]

avioding on principle

[brendan007]

i sold my soul and payed to see it. (in my defense i was bored and my friends were going).
The movie itself is just terrible, absolute rubbish, and not just because every second thing u see has been ripped off from Bond. Ignoring all the blatant Bond rip-offs, the movie is still terrible; terrible acting, stupid storyline and ridiculous characters.
It is two hours of my life i will never get back, and to this day i regret seeing it. (im being a bit overdramatic there, but ive run out of ways to say how bad the movie was)

[Loomis]

The reason I ask is not to raise the hackles of the "anti-xXx brigade" (for example, Blue Eyes and, er, probably most users of this site), but because xXx has yet to open in the UK, where I've relocated.

I remember quite a buzz about the movie (at least on the Internet, where there were a few ecstatic early reviews on Ain't It Cool) a couple of months back. People were talking about mindblowing action scenes and saying that it would become a blockbusting franchise. Since then, well, if there's been any positive word of mouth I sure haven't heard about it.

Britain's Empire magazine rates it a distinctly average *** out of *****, despite making the movie its cover feature and running an interview with Asia Argento (in which she claims to have twice turned down roles in Bond films).

On the basis of DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY, DAYLIGHT and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, I used to think that Rob Cohen was a pretty good director. But that was before I tried to sit through THE SKULLS, which is just unbelievable garbage.

Oh well, DIE ANOTHER DAY's out next month....

[Roebuck]

Originally posted by Loomis
Britain's Empire magazine rates it a distinctly average *** out of *****, despite making the movie its cover feature and running an interview with Asia Argento.

What surprised me was Empire devoting so many pages to xXx while relegating films with a better star rating (Lilo and Stitch for instance) to the back of the magazine.
However I am looking forward to Knockabout Guys, an indie film from the writers of the Matt Damon flick Rounders. It's been languishing in the vaults for some time but Vin's new 'superstar' profile means it's finally going to get a cinema release. It's supposed to be his best work to date as an actor (talk about damming with faint praise).

[walther]

The stunts I did somewhat enjoy. But the movie itself is stereotyped as a "James Bond Wannabe" so, I really didn't enjoy it as much as I would with say... DAD or GF for example.

The lines "The things I'm gonna do for my country" is such a terrible ripoff that I actually booed out loud. Well, then again, most of the audience actually joined in. That shows how popular 007 still is.

Then the ending was right out of all the Bonds. He starts getting into Asia Argento on a beach and back at the shack Samuel L Jackson's "M"-type character asks where he is and sees what he's doing "for his country". It was bad.

Good stunts, bad acting, and bad script. 'Nuff said.

[Paco]

The movie sucked

[rafterman]

missed it and now it's nowhere near me....guess it died a quick death..wanted to heckle it...

[Blue Eyes]

I have stuck to principles and not seen it

[M_Balje]

I must waiting for The cinema release on 24 October 2002.
But iam waiting to the release of 11 March 2003 on dvd and go to the Video library.

[IrishCrown]

Oh, but the kids loved it! Seriously, I will never see this ****. Vin Diesel is an idiot. The only thing impressive for him is his own ego, and that's stretching it.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

I refused to see it. If any of my friends mentioned it, I slagged the film, saying about all the Bond ripoffs. But they sort of tuned me out once I got to the "Things I'm gonna do for my country" line. Although most seemed to agree with me. My friend went to see it, but he walked out halfway through, and the second time went to see it with his parents just because they wanted him to come. He hated it. With good reason.

[freemo]

For all those who admitted to parting with money to see it, I depore your actions, quite a disgraceful display indded, But I do admire your courage in confessing your sin, that's the first step towards redemption.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Aparently enough people for a "see-squeal" to be in the works.

They can broaden the vocabulary and call it xXXx.

I certainly wouldn't give a 4X about it.
(Sorry, my rip-off of an old Aussie beer commercial)

They actually should call it YYY, for obvious reasons.

[gkgyver]

No, I also won't watch the movie. If I want to see a tribute

[Jim]

Not seen it - might see it. Open mind etc...

Whilst xXx has not been overwhelmingly embraced as great art, such reviews as I've read of it in the UK - Empire, Total Film, Hotdog, all the broadsheets - on balance, averaging out the reviews - are fairly favourable towards it...and cast provocative comments Bond-wards (particularly as to the perceived staleness of TWINE).

Whatever the Bond fans may think, there is a general cinema-going public out there to whom both xXx and Here's Another Reference are "just films", just gawp fodder of no greater or lesser merit than the other.

And on the basis of the tone of xXx's reviews, DAD is going to have to go some distance before it's impressing the UK critics.

[gkgyver]

Why didn't Bond skysurf with his Aston Martin? Good god!
Maybe he should open his eyes and see that there's one thing that makes the Bond movies better than others: slightly above the edge and slightly below sillyness.
I would kill the director who makes that Bond skysurfs in his Aston Martin.

[Evil Doctor Cheese]

Totally agree with Jim. I've read loads of reviews that reek Bond bashing. DAD will have to do something spectacular to perk up Brit reviews. Yeah sure the audience will come but it helps to get the critics on your side.... maybe the Here's Another Reference idea wasn't the best way to furthur the series. It's gonna get bashed a little for that.

But no, I'll not see xXx until I can see it for free on Sky or terestrial.

[BondChick4ever8]

It really was ripping off bond and vin diesels little jokes reminded me of a sick version of bond. The movie was not as great as it looked and it really didn't have much of a plot. Although I do like Vin Diesel, he wasn't the best actor in it. I enjoyed the Fast and the furious more.

[Simon]

I thought he was OK in Fast and the Furious. Also thought he did well in the Boiler Room with Ben Affleck and the "Phoebe's brother in Friends" actor. Will hopefully see it in the cinema and cast my own opinion. But references aside, the action in the trailer looked up to par and certainly better than anything in TWINE.

[chronicliar]

xXx: A Triple Threat?

By Kristopher Valentine

Over the summer a new spy film came out that had so much hype a person might have thought 007 was coming to town early. It was not 007 however; it was the extreme new hero xXx. Vin Diesel was advertised saying that he was the 007 for the current generation of movie goers. Bond had his time and now xXx is our hero! Please, 007 will be around at least another 20 years while xXx is lucky if he gets two more films.

I must admit that when I first heard of xXx I was intrigued. It sounded stupid at first glance but with the director and scene stealer, Vin Diesel, from the entertaining Fast and the Furious I was very curious. The hype began in early summer and I saw cool teaser trailers, posters, and magazines that all made this film seem like it actually was gonna be kick ***! I told myself that being a 007 fan that I would rent it on DVD.

August came around and the reviews came pouring in. Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars out of four. He said

[Marketto007]

"Cage, Xander Cage! He doesn't like Martini, tuxedo and modern gadgets. He likes xtreme sports and tattoos...So?!
****** him" - Brazilian Movie Critic

BRAZIL rlz...................TRIPLE X is the name of one agent in TSWLM i think....plagio

[solitaire]

I really respect and admire Roger Ebert,he has a vast and wonderful knowledge of cinema,and then he gave "XXX" ***/2 stars. I was surprised to say the least,for as much as I love Vin Diesel,I think he has the acting range of dried fruit. I saw the film and thought it was awful. Ebert can redeem himself when he gives DAD a 4 star thumbs up;)

[Blue Eyes]

I've just spoken to the wrinkley banana peel in my compost heap solitaire, and he's quite upset at the comparison to Vin Diesal.

[chronicliar]

I am laughing so hard!!!!!

Look at my profile... ha ha ha.

Makes me sound dirty. I assure you that I am only interested in the director's work!

[Loomis]

Well, at least you've seen it, chronicliar, and you can judge.

Thought I'd add fuel to the flames by reporting on the UK premiere of xXx. Director Rob Cohen has been talking Bond, saying that the series was great for 40 years (but not now?)

On a more positive note, Vin Diesel has declared that he wants Judi Dench ("one of the best actresses of our time") to appear in xXx 2.

[iceberg]

I have a problem with any film that comes along and rips off the most successful franchise in cinema history (and rather shamelessly, no less). It's almost forgivable, given the way the film industry is. But what is absolutely reprehensible to me is to watch the people associated with that film to go on to lambast the franchise they ever-so-subtly pillaged and proclaim that it is over and tired, in effect. As if their product was a well-spring of freshness and originality. Talk about showing a modicum of modesty. Oh, wait, they don't even know there is such a word....

Here's a message I'm thinking about sending to the people behind xXx:


Dear "Creative Masterminds" behind xXx,

To be fair, you've made a decent (if highly unoriginal and unsurprising) action film. But before you start announcing that the Bond series is over, make sure that your title does not betray where you blatantly stole your ideas from.

Now, I'm sure your movie will go on to make buckets and buckets of cash (fools and their money being very easily parted, you see) and this letter won't matter in the long run, but remember: a financially successful rip-off is still just a rip-off. Try toning down the ego just a tad, 'kay?

Don't bother getting a clue. Just get an original concept.

A James Bond fan.