Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

xXx Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has re-released the 2002 Action film xXx to Blu-ray in celebration of its 15th anniversary and to coincide with xXx: Return of Xander Cage's recent release to theaters. This new Blu-ray boasts new video and audio presentations, as well as a new supplement in addition to previously released material that wasn't included on the original Blu-ray. It's a rock-solid upgrade over the 2006 Blu-ray; fans will want to pick it up. Read on for more details.

This screenshot looks familiar...

xXx Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sony's xXx re-release isn't the end-all, be-all of Blu-ray as some of the studio's more recent remasters may be, but it's a rock-solid image and a very healthy upgrade over the 2006 release. This edition is presented with the MPEG-4 codec rather than the older MPEG-2, as was the case with the original. This new release is attractively filmic. Grain is ever-present, spiking at times and a bit edgier than some might like, but there's no mistaking the picture's 35mm roots and its often beautifully retained cinematic flavor. Details are generally excellent. A few softer or mildly smeary backgrounds aside, textures are quite robust. Intimate complexity can't often match the finest the format has to offer, but skin textures are impressively refined (including close-ups of Xander's tattoos or Jackson's scar prosthetic). Clothing is, too, and many of the European city accents are texturally complex and tactile. There are certainly a few times when raw detail takes a dive -- facial textures during a scene inside a relatively empty opera house in chapter nine being an example -- but more often than not it's all right on the money. Colors are fine, not particularly noteworthy in either direction -- too punchy or too faded -- but enjoying a healthy enough neutrality and a good bit of punch in the daylight, particularly evident during the film's chase climax. Black levels are deep without resorting to crush, and flesh tones appear accurate. Print wear and compression artifacts are practically nonexistent. This is certainly not the peak of Blu-ray, but it's a substantial upgrade since the last time xXx graced the format.

xXx Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

xXx's move to a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 loses soundtrack from the previous release's LPCM 5.1 presentation is more a lateral one, certainly not the drastic upward movement of the video presentation. Regardless of the name, this track is excellent, everything one could want in an action film. It's big, dynamic, enveloping, and offers plenty of low end power to boot. Every action scene is a treat. Whether it's helicopters swooping and blowing stuff up, gunfire ripping through the stage, or an avalanche spilling into the theater, there's a ceaseless intensity and surround depth in play. Gunfire cracks through every speaker, motorcycles tear through the entire stage, alarms blare with amazing authority and realistic presence. It's a wonderful listen and hard to imagine a track much more active or energetic and enthusiastic as this. And even through the chaos, it's never wanting for more precision. Effects are never in a jumble and even through endless streams of gunfire, surrounding explosions, and general chaos, the track always seems in command and the listener capable of sorting it all out in every moment. Music is strong, too, effortlessly wide and wrapped into the back with balance. Many of the film's Metal tracks are impressively edgy and very loud. Dialogue is well prioritized, grounded in the center, and lifelike. Fans will have a blast with this one.

xXx Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

xXx's latest Blu-ray release contains one all-new extra in addition to various vintage features that were not originally included on the 2006 Blu-ray. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Rob Cohen offers a well spoken and keen look into the movie, covering all the usual bases with plenty of enticing detail and well-versed insight in a track that's sure to please fans. Much of the insight overlaps with what's delivered in the extras to follow, particularly the two-part production diary, but it's still a solid listen.
• Origins of a Renegade (1080p, 6:27): Cast and crew -- new movie and old -- reflect on the original film, recall fond memories of working on it, discuss the franchise's core concepts, crafting a "Spy film" for a new generation, the Xander Cage character, extreme sports in the film, shooting locations, and Diesel's work with Samuel L. Jackson. The piece ends with a quick look at the new movie.
• xXx: A Filmmakers Diary U.S. / Pre-Production (480i, 15:27): Rob Cohen discusses the idea for his "DVD" documentary and telling the story of the filmmaking process. This piece gives viewers plenty of raw access to the shoot, including a moment of reflection before beginning the process and exploring the details of how the film came together and making various scenes, complete with interviews, voiceovers, and plenty of behind the scenes footage.
• xXx: A Filmmakers Diary Prague / Post-Production (480i, 25:26): A continuation of the previous piece that, as the title suggests, switches locations and continues to explore making the movie overseas, crafting various scenes, and concluding with an interesting and fairly detailed look into what happens once the camera stop rolling but before the film is ready to hit theaters.
• Diesel Powered (480i, 6:50): Cast and crew talk up Vin Diesel's persona, work on the film, and the character he plays. The actor himself chimes in to discuss his part in the film, too.
• Visual Effects How To's (480i): This multi-part supplement explores how the filmmakers constructed several of the film's key action moments. Included are Creating the Mountain Avalanche (1:09), Creating an Avalanche (1:18), and Shack Explosion (0:37).
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 15:51 total runtime): Sam Jackson, Plane Interior, The Ivans, Underworld Club, Blood Splatter Dart, Castle Extended/Pole Dancer, Girls, Grooming a Scene, Attack of the Czech Police, and Bora Bora. Scenes include optional filmmaker commentary.
• Starz! On the Set - The Making of xXx (480i, 14:32): A typical promotional piece that explores the story, characters, and key areas of the production process and features interviews, clips form the film, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Agent Shavers' Gadgets Presentation (480i, 3:44): Actor Michael Roof shows off some of the fun toys that appear throughout the film.
• Designing the World of xXx (480i, 14:35): A lengthy look at shooting locations, sets, and props.
• Building Speed: The Vehicles of xXx (480i, 6:55): As the title suggests, this piece brings viewers a little closer to several of the film's key vehicles and how and why they fit into the film.
• Avalanche Scene (480i, 5:37): The film's avalanche sequence is juxtaposed against storyboards.
• Drug Farm (480i, 5:08): Another key sequence juxtaposed against storyboards.
• The End Credit Sequence -- Raw and Uncut (480i, 3:34): The film's credit sequence without the words on top. It's too bad it's not in high definition, as is the version with credits on the Blu-ray.
• Music Video (480i, 3:09): "I Will Be Heard" by Hatebreed.
• Music Video (480i, 4:18): "Adrenaline" by Gavin Rossdale.
• xXx Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:34).

xXx Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

They don't make 'em like xXx all that often anymore. Unpretentious, loud, exciting, lots of practical effects, a big score and Metal music, plenty of gunfire and explosions, a musclebound hero...it's a quality action film that's equal parts ridiculous and exhilarating. Even at two hours, it's well paced, Vin Diesel is fine as the lead, and it's a whole lot of fun. Sony's re-release is a home run. Everything's better compared to the old release. Audio is the least of the upgrades. The uptick in video is substantial and the quantity of extras is generous, even if most of it simply carries over from the standard definition era. Even the new cover art is great. Highly recommended!