It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

In this HBO flick, the Sheen brothers - Charlie, and his brother, Emilio Estevez - portray the Mitchell brothers, early pioneers of porn films.For an HBO film, it's not terrible. For an HBO film, it's got the requisite T&A. As Emilio plays Jim Mitchell, the directing Mitchell brother, so does Emilio - who directed X RATED.Biopics have a difficult task. No matter the subject, they've to compress time into under two hours.The usual cues of time passing (period music, flash-forward montages) are all here. As I said, it's not terrible (personally, I think Charlie Sheen, playing coke addicted Artie Mitchell) snorting mountains of the 'white lady,' is a parable to his real life's pattern. Since the whole story follows a familiar format (quick, early years, long central part, focusing on the rise of the character, then relatively short conclusion to end film) many of the other actors' characters are on and off screen so fast, that they mostly go by in a blur, with the Mitchell's being the only consistent characters throughout. It doesn't allow for anyone to develop anything substantial with their character. They're more telegraphing their role.There's not much to 'feel' for anyone. All-in-all, it's a(nother) Cliff Notes bio film.

Maybe I'm rating this movie a little bit higher than I should. But there were some good moments for me in this film. I have no problem with Charlie Sheen or Emilio Estevez, they have both done some good stuff in their careers (and a few good movies too). Not to mention Denise Richards! Anyway, I just wonder if Tracy Hutson regrets playing Marylin Chambers in this film and doing a nude/sex scene. Seeing as how she is now on the squeaky clean ABC show "Extreme Home Makeovers". She is incredibly hot and I love to see her on the Home Makeover show, especially when I happened to remember that she was naked in "Rated X". I think this film is entertaining. Of course it is not even in the same league as "Boogie Nights", not even close...but if you are a porno movie fan, you might enjoy this story of a couple of the pioneers of the genre. If nothing else you will enjoy Tracy Hutson's awesome body. Which we may never seen in a film again. Too bad.

Don't know what Mr. Estevez was thinking; but he wasn't thinking about the script. The script is so full of holes; scenes that start and don't end, whole story lines that are set up but don't get resolved. This is just awful. The worst part is that both the Sheen brothers do a pretty good job of acting, it's just that the story never really goes anywhere and the fancy photography doesn't make up for it.

Come on! This movie was directed by Emilio Estevez people, and co-stars him and his brother Charlie Sheen. So if you are expecting something as impressive and accomplished as 'Boogie Nights' you are obviously insane! Estevez previously directed two of the worst movies ever made 'Wisdom' and 'Men At Work', and he isn't getting any better. Martin Scorsese he ain't! And Estevez and Sheen between them have appeared in many of the lamest turkeys of the last twenty years. Add 'Rated X' to that list.The story of the rise and fall of the Mitchell brothers, who were partly responsible for legitimizing porn in the 1970s with 'Behind The Green Door', could have been made into a fascinating movie if it was written, acted and directed by somebody of greater ability. Which, let's face it, is just about anybody. Estevez and co go absolutely nowhere with this potentially interesting material. The brothers relationship is simplified so much, and their odd relationship with their father is never fully explored, so we never truly understand what motivates them, or end up caring about their fates.The only thing you'll get from this movie are some cheap laughs from Sheen flipping out and hamming it up outrageously. Going by his laughably bad performance in this, and a similar nutty one in 'Bad Day On The Block', he seems to be attempting to usurp Dennis Hopper's crown as the King of Screen Psychos. After his amusing self-parodic role in 'Being John Malkovich' it's difficult to say just how self conscious this is, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. All I can say is that Charlie cracks me up! He's a real card.