Xander Cage is back in 2017 with one of the most heart stopping, fist pumping films of the year.

“xXx: The Return of Xander Cage” pulls no punches, much like Cage. The film wastes no time in dashing to action sequences.

Vin Diesel, as Cage, has gone into hiding in the Dominican Republic after faking his own death. The CIA tracks him down to revive him as xXx, the alternative secret agent who is willing to do anything for his country.

Cage is tasked with tracking down a group of criminals that have supposedly hijacked and crashed a satellite, killing the creator of the xXx program, played by Samuel L. Jackson.

After pinpointing the group, and an incredible action sequence featuring dirt bike surfing through waves, Cage and the clique discover they are all part of the xXx program and share a common enemy. They team up to take the bad guys down.

Guns and muscles are the theme for this film. Character development and plot take a backseat to explosions and fur coats. If slapstick action-adventure isn’t really your thing you might want to try a different movie.

“xXx” will take some important queues from franchises such as “The Fast and Furious” in which it caters to an international audience.

The film features Hollywood new-comers Kris Wu, a Chinese film star, and Deepika Padukone, and Indian star. Both stars are prominent leads. International stars Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Ruby Rose and professional football star Neymar Jr. are also cast in Xander Cage’s band of misfits.

So far, “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage” has grossed $40 million in the United States and Canada, and $112.4 million globally against a budget of $85 million. With earnings like those it is difficult to ignore where they will find their audience.

Diesel is already in talks with Paramount to make another film, so there will certainly be more to come.

Though, when you walk into the theater to watch this movie or the next, don’t expect “The Godfather”. Don’t even expect “Star Wars”. Instead go with an open mind, and an assurance that Xander Cage will kick some ass, likely be betrayed, and certainly will do whatever he can for his country.

Which country that is will be unclear, as he was betrayed by the CIA.