Reviews

This was a thoroughly enjoyable family movie. Saw it with my wife and 10 year old son and we all had a great time. The Rock is improving as an actor and was quite funny, especially in the Ballet... The little girl was very cute. The humor was squeaky clean and the message was clear and sweet. Loved it. Kyra Sedwick was funny in places which I'm not used to seeing. The supporting cast of football players was well done. There isn't much football in the movie so it won't turn off non-athletes. I think the Rock's charm will continue to drive his career as he is able to always bring the charm while pulling off the tough male ego.

I found the movie very compelling as it followed several different story lines, exposing many different facets to the sex trafficking industry. The fact that all these story lines were linked to one king pin running an international organization was pure Hollywood, but it allowed for drama and suspense as he was tracked by the feds. The wrap up and conclusion was also too easy, but again the mission of this film was to educate and spotlight abuse in an entertaining forum. This movie delivered.

On top of this, I especially appreciated the way the graphic scenes were composed. It was hard to watch, ugly, and grotesque. It wasn't played for sex appeal, or lurid fascination. It was ugly. Completely appropriate to the reality of the women, children, and victims of this abuse.

After the Fast and the Furious, XXX was exactly what I expected. Well acted by Vin Diesel, the XXX character, clearly modeled after Bond immediately reminded me of the toughness of Connery, with much, much wittier humor than Moore. While some of the scenarios we're over the top, they're no worse than some of the stuff Bond pulled in his movies. On that count, they're parallel. However XXX had better action than Goldfinger, better style than Goldeneye, and humor on par with Austin Powers! This movie rocks, remember to suspend your belief at the door...