Introduction to XXX (film series)

Book excerpt: XXX is an action film series that follows the adventures of Xander Cage, a rebellious and adventurous extreme sports athlete who is recruited by the National Security Agency to become an undercover agent. The first film was released in 2002, starring Vin Diesel as Xander Cage and directed by Rob Cohen. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success. It was followed by a sequel, XXX: State of the Union, released in 2005 and starring Ice Cube as the protagonist. The film was not as well received by critics and did not perform as well at the box office as its predecessor. In 2017, a third installment of the series, titled XXX: Return of Xander Cage, was released, again starring Vin Diesel as Xander Cage. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was moderately successful at the box office. Despite the mixed reception of the series, XXX has developed a loyal fanbase and is known for its high-octane action sequences, over-the-top stunts, and larger-than-life characters.