Review Roundup: Vin Diesel Stars in Action Thriller xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE

xx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE x-plodes on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 16, 2017 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. X-cited fans can be the first to get it two weeks early on Digital HD May 2. The film has been hailed as "a crazy, stunt-filled action spectacular" (Scott Mendelson, Forbes) and "a shot of pure adrenaline" (Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly). The film is directed by D. J. Caruso. Click here to watch the film's official trailer!

Synopsis: When a group of lethal mercenaries steal a hi-tech weapon that poses a global threat, the world needs superspy Xander Cage (Vin Diesel). Recruited back into action, Xander leads a team of death-defying ADRENALINE JUNKIES on a mission to kick some ass, save the day, and look dope while doing it. Packed with some of the most mind-blowing stunts ever caught on film, xx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE features a powerhouse international cast including Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose (John Wick: Chapter 2), Tony Jaa (Furious 7), Nina Dobrev (TV's "The Vampire Diaries"), and Samuel L. Jackson (Kong: Skull Island).

Let's see what the critics have to say:

Peter Travers, RollingStone: Director D.J. Caruso shoots the action so incoherently that you don't know where you are and who's getting hit. The great Yen, so stellar in Rogue One,brings some Hong Kong flash to his scenes, which only makes you wish he'd starred in this movie and not Diesel, who steps into every scene looking for stuff to bust up. There were times when I thought Diesel might be more than a human monster truck.

Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter: Actually, popcorn alone wouldn't suffice for the film's nonstop barrage of high-octane action sequences that make you feel like you're burning calories simply watching them. From its opening sequence featuring Xander skiing through a jungle and skateboarding down a steep mountain road to its climactic battle in a plummeting aircraft resulting in zero-gravity conditions for the combatants, this is a pic that demands the accompaniment of nachos, hot dogs, candy and soda (the non-diet variety) as well.

Andrew Barker, Variety: Evolving from groanworthy stupidity to entirely self-aware stupidity, this Vin Diesel franchise reboot has an undeniable numbskull appeal.

Scott Mendelson, Forbes: xx: Return of Xander Cage is exactly what the first movie should have been fifteen years ago. It's an unapologetically stupid and absurd testosterone-fueled action fantasy that earns its keep by providing impressively gonzo stunt work, aggressively silly plotting and a mix of glamorous action stars and esteemed actors clearly having fun in the sandbox. While Xander Cage turns out to be among the least interesting characters in this ensemble spectacular, the colorful and eclectic supporting cast and the creative action beats make this return to the Xander Zone a trip worth taking.

Chris Agar, Screenrant: Director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia, I Am Number Four) calls the shots, and his handling of the material is a mixed bag. Some of the action set pieces (in particular, the ones involving Donnie Yen) are well-constructed and deliver big screen spectacle, but others rely too heavily on quick cuts and certain sequences wander dangerously close to incomprehensible territory (and of course, viewers must suspend their disbelief in order to fully buy in).

Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com: D.J. Caruso's direction, for the most part, is second-tier Bayhem, with the camera swerving from a low angle as, say, a truck takes flight and pirouettes above it. However. The last forty minutes of the movie do come together in a pretty diverting way. Xander's motley crew musters a "Ohana means family" vibe familiar to fans of the other franchise Diesel abandoned and then returned to, that "Fast and Furious" thing.

Dan Jolin, Empireonline.com: Return Of Xander Cage should be taken as seriously as candy floss should be treated as food, and it sprinkles its oh-so-familiar action nonsense with knowing winks - though Vin still can't quite sell a zinger, bless 'im. Plus, it has Donnie Yen to properly kick ass (in one scene apparently dressed as Danny Zuko), and a surprise cameo that's so preposterous it's possibly brilliant.