XXX (Uncensored, Unrated, Director's Cut) (DVD)

If I had never started RopeofSilicon.com there is probably no way I would have ever watched this film due to my dislike for Vin Diesel, but after checking it out I must say I am glad I did as XXX offers much more action and intensity than the last couple of James Bond films ever did.

XXX is an obvious massive revamp of the Bond style spy movie but it deviates from the dapper British agent and takes in a notorious underground thrill seeker in an attempt to appeal to the next generation of moviegoers.

Diesel stars as Xander Cage, our earlier mentioned deviant, who is recruited by the NSA to go undercover in Russia to infiltrate a crime ring hell bent on releasing a biological weapon in an effort to rid the world of government and everything that comes with it, their version of a free world.

As I said before, I have never seen this film so I cannot tell you exactly where the additional eight-minutes of footage come in, but I can assure you that this is no longer a PG-13 film as skin is in and provocative dancing takes the stage.

With the upcoming release of XXX: State of the Union it was obviously a perfect time to release a special edition of XXX, and if you were wondering why the sequel won't be featuring Vin Diesel all your questions will be answered on disc two in the short titled "The Final Chapter: The Death of Xander." Inside of this mini film in which Khristian Lupo stars as Xander, whose face isn't shown, just his bald head and in more ways than you can imagine as Xander meets his ultimate demise ending any chance for Xander's return.

As for the rest of the special features you get four featurettes which delve into the cars, world, gadgets and the world of XXX, a filmmakers' diary following the production on 80 of the 82 days all in one nice 40 minute package, a look at the special effects of the film focusing on the avalanche and the large motorcycle jump at the drug farm, storyboard comparisons, two music videos and another look at the end credits featuring Gavin Rossdale's "Adrenaline" track.

All in all, this is one cool set for one cool film that is the epitome of popcorn fun and one hell of a guilty pleasure. Diesel may not be my favorite actor out there but the action XXX offers up is more than enough reason to watch it more than once.