Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic fun, great martial arts, Go Jason Stratham!
Review: I finally got around to seeing this movie and man am I bummed I didn't see it on the big screen. Jason Stratham ("The Italian Job" and "Snatch") is one of the most exciting talents around and this film shows him off perfectly! Not only were the pyrotechnics great (heat-seeking missles destroying a castle-like chateau on the French shore), the hand-to-hand was brilliantly choreographed and executed. There wasn't a wire in (or out) of sight! Like Jackie Chan, Stratham uses everything within his environment as a way to win even though he's always out-numbered by the bad guys. Barrels of used oil? Great! He spills it, rolls around in it, now they can't grab him (he'd lost his shirt by then) without slipping right off! But unlike the wonderful Jackie Chan, when Strathum hits, it's pure streetfighter - you know it hurts and hurts hard. He uses brilliant tactics - not just brawn - to turn every dire moment to his advantage and ends up coming across like a real man's man, a genius at survival and winning. The opening scene amps up the tension as Stratham, a retired Army special ops officer, picks up 4 guys who have just robbed a bank of millions in bearer bonds. His contract, however, was for transporting only 3 people, and the car's shocks wouldn't handle the additional weight. He calmly tells the robbers that they've broken one of his three rules and refuses to drive. I won't spoil the rest, but suffice to say it turns into a wonderful car chase through the streets of France. His second job doesn't go so well. The "package" is a girl who is being hushed up so she cannot inform the police about slave trading. Stratham ends up complicating his simple life for a cause, somewhat aided by the French policeman who knows what he really does but refuses to give him a lot of grief for it when there's no real proof because he respects ex-military men. Stratham's unique blend of physicality, great voice, charm and testosterone has no equal. He deserves to be a huge star. The only reason I'm giving this movie a 4 instead of a 5 is that the climactic ending failed to live up to the quality of the beginning by just a tad. It's also not one I would watch over and over, but it's definitely worth seeing once or twice. The movie was hugely enjoyable, very high on the likeability scale, but still left me wanting more.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good, solid action...
Review: Jason Statham has the look and charisma to be the next Vin Diesel, if only he was given a better chance. Take a look at his latest movie, "The Transporter." He owns this movie. He takes control and lets the audience know this picture is his. In every action scene, we don't doubt his worthiness to be up there with the action greats. Now all he needs is a plot. And that's the film's biggest problem. The plot, which seems a little contrived at times, takes up a little too much time where there could be a tad more action. Thankfully, unlike many other films, the movie ends at just the right time and doesn't opt for a fake cop-out where you think the villain is dead but then he returns. Statham plays Frank, an ex-soldier who now works as a transporter for people most likely wanting illegal services. He's very good at what he does, but one day, he delivers a bad package and now his life is on the line. Filled with exotic locations and very cool stunt pieces, "The Transporter" provides a very satisfying rush. I'd definitely recommend it to those who wish those old martial-arts movies would return.
Rating: 
Summary: Bash it for using cliches'??? Like it's the only one?
Review: While people were wasting money on Vin Diesel's XXX, I was waiting for this... Jason Statham's finest hour... a script that Luc Besson personally wrote for him. And it fits him like a glove... I guess that brush with action in The One just got him going. He's smooth, suave, and tough... and he has strict rules you never break... so obviously all the trouble comes from breaking the rules. Filled with cool fights, action, and style, XXX has NOTHING on this movie. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Junk Classic!
Review: This movie sets out what it intends to do. The "plot" as it is, is just a diversion for what guys really want to see. Mindless violence at it's best. I'd put it up there with junk greats like, "Desperado", anything by Van Damme, and "Starship Troopers". Pure fun all around.
Rating:
Summary: Holds you and doesn't let go!
Review: Wow, Jason Statham finally made it!. That's what I felt after watching this hugely enjoyable action romp from director Corey Yueng who has collaborated with such as Luc Besson in the past in movies like "Red Dragon". This movie has a distinct European feel, not only in locations, but also direction, and one could be forgiven for thinking this was a Besson movie. This notwithstanding, it is a great roller coaster action flick, with some very well choreographed fight and action sequences. Mr Statham plays retired special forces hardman Frank Martin (why do they always retire so young?) living in the South of France who is a highly paid, feared and reveared professional courier, sporting a customized BMW, and formidable array of weapons (himself included). Regardless of the cargo, he conducts himself with consumate expertise, and deadly force where necessary, but is essentially a morally driven "good guy" who just happens to work as a mercenary. Quickly embroiled in a kidnapping, and attempted murder he stirs up a veritable hornets nest of villians who are not only armed to the teeth, but also ruthlessly led by a sadistic and equally die hard nemesis played by Matt Schulze. You can easily watch this movie over and over again for it's non stop action pace, and very slick direction, but the more discerning viewer, will want to leave the intellect behind, as this is pure adrenaline junky material. I would have given this movie 5 stars, but for a couple of reasons. Some of the fight sequences just cross the line a tad on believabilty (even in this genre of escapism) and the amazing ability of all character (Statham included) to endure taking the kind of punishment that would drop a Rhino, and still bouncing back like new. The only other moan would be the annoying habit it seems today, of multiple scenes and sequences that appear in the trailer, NOT being in the film! - if you check out the extended features on the DVD you'll see.
If you can place your tongue squarely in your cheek for a couple of hours though, you will LOVE this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Lock, stock and 2 smoking barrels!
Review: I came across this at the rental store and man, what a surprise. Not only is it an extremely good action movie (far, far better than Ronin with which it is compared) but the guy seems to be a passable actor as well. In other words there's no need to write a script he can sleep walk through and say stuff like "I'll be bok". And no inexplicable German/French/Chinese accent. Thoroughly entertaining junk food. This guy should be governor of California!
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly surprised
Review: Summary:
Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is an ex U.S. special forces agent that has retired to Monaco and now works as a 'transporter' for hire - mostly doing illegal things like helping bank robbers get away and transporting kidnapped victims, etc. He is very good at his job and demands that his clients follow his rules. Everything is fine until he breaks his own rule, rule #3: Never open the package. He is hired to transport what turns out to be a young woman, Lai (Qi Shu). When a chance mishap forces him to look at the package (she's in a big duffle bag) he makes several mistakes that reveals to his employer, Darren Bettencourt (Matt Schulze), that he opened the package. Big mistake. Bettencourt tries to blow him up but Frank happens to survive. When he returns to Bettencourt's place to avenge the failed murder attempt, Bettencourt isn't there, but Lai somehow ends up in the car that he steals to get away. Lai then sets him up to help her. Apparently Bettencourt and Lai's father, Mr. Kwai (Ric Young) are working together to transport immigrants into the country illegally. Lai wants to stop it. Frank doesn't want any part in it, until he sleeps with Lai and she lies to him that it is her family that is being transported. Once he gets involved, Frank has to finish the job, and of course he ends up with Lai in the end. My Comments:
I was expecting a much more superficial premise - like Frank looks in the bag and falls in love with Lai. He didn't and that made the whole movie worth watching. It didn't make it great, but it was much better than I had anticipated. There were, of course, some problems with the movie, but there were also some good points. Problems first... As is the case with most of these movies, all of the characters are very shallow. Frank is the psychologically damaged good guy who has spent too much time in military training (think Rambo here). Lai is the sweet, innocent girl who likes sleeping with any masculine guy. Darren and Mr. Kwai are trademark bad guys. The only person who is kind of surprising, though still rather stereotypical, is the inspector that helps Frank out, Tarconi (François Berléand). So, no depth to characters, but when you aren't really expecting any, it's forgivable. The other major problem (Lai sleeping with Frank on a whim was a problem too, but this is more important) was the sheer length of the movie. Where some action films seem to short (The Bourne Identity) because they actually have a plot, this one went to long. For some reason Frank doesn't want to kill anyone so he has to fight them all about fifteen times. It also should have ended at the docks instead of continuing into the incredibly drawn out, Indiana Jones rip-off, diesel fight scene. And the airplane skydive thing, that was just over-the-top. So, the major problems are the shallow character (forgivable) and the drawn out 'story' (which is much less forgivable). So what were the positives? I was surprised, as noted above, that Frank stuck to his principles as long as he did and didn't fall for Lai from the get go. Also, I had no idea that Jason Statham is as good of a martial artist as he apparently was in this movie (assuming he actually did most of his fight sequences). His fight sequence in Bettencourt's house was pretty remarkable. Some of the others got a bit silly, but that first one was pretty cool. Also, even though there were a few rather cheesy lines, the majority of the dialogue (there wasn't much, which is always a good decision in these kinds of films) was pretty good. I think the reason why is because most of it was left up to Francois Berleand, whose French accent made his presentation seem suave in an action flick. Overall, the movie is pretty good for this genre (no brainer sex and action flick). The fight scenes are occasionally original and for the most part well-choreographed and the lack of romance, which is what made it mostly convincing, was bearable. Pretty good action flick with very few major names. Perhaps Jason Statham will make a name for himself - the next Bruce Willis?
Rating:
Summary: Statham and the action can't outweigh the woeful script
Review: Jason Stockam can hold the screen well as an action hero, and he is more than sufficient for the part The Transporter, another in a line of American gangster flick with Hong-Kong style action and directors that began with The Big Hit. Don't get me wrong; I saw some amazing stuff in this movie, some of the best action scenes I've ever seen. If only the screenplay displayed a quarter of the wit and intelligence of the action sequences, The Transporter would take its place next to Die Hard and Speed as one of the greatest action flicks of all time. A missed opportunity, but it's well worth a DVD rental for the nifty action sequences and the chance to see Statham doing his stuff
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, not the best special features
Review: While I really like this movie, since it is just fun, fun, fun!, I had issues with the dvd. The additional fight scene footage, overall, is not that great. There is an exception, that being the additional footage for the fight scene in the bus. I think that some of THAT should have made the final cut, oh well. The movie itself is as I recalled from the theater: Lots of guns, great driving (though nothing compares to Ronin on that front, IMHO), good fight scenes (somewhat reminiscent to me of the quality in some of Jackie Chan's films), one big cheesy fake explosion near the end (which REALLY makes for a great laugh!). Nothing really to dislike, since it is not intended in any way that I can tell to be a serious flick. Just sit back, disconnect that film critic mentality, and be entertained.
Rating:
Summary: Jacking the Action
Review: Director Corey Yuen does a great job of jacking up the action in "The Transporter" to make it a fast-faced adventure. Jason Statham who is in theatres now in "The Italian Job" was on the British Olympic team in Seoul in 1988 and puts his athleticism to good use in the many action sequences in the film. Particularly intricate, the DVD shows how the fight scene in the cab of the truck was staged, making maximum use of movement in a confined space. Similarly, the sequence on the bus is excellent and the comparison cuts on the DVD of interest. I also appreciated that it was cold in the sequences with the oil, which was actually syrup, and that you could actually see Statham's breath in the extended fight sequences. Matt Schulze who lost about 40 pounds from his appearance in "The Fast & the Furious" so he could literally fit into the truck cab fight sequence does a nice job as the villain "Wall Street." Robert Mark Kamen also wrote screenplays for "A Walk in the Clouds" with Keeanu Reeves, "The 5th Element," and all parts of "The Karate Kid." I like how he handled the romance with Lai, Chinese actress Shu Qi. It seemed like the chemistry clicked. Ric Young who I've watched numerous times in "The Corruptor" has also appeared in "7 Years in Tibet" and "Nixon." He does a great job of being unlikable as Lai's crime-boss father Mr. Kwai. I particularly appreciated the cameo appearance of French actor Francois Berleand as Tarconi the police detective. What great soulfulness in his eyes as he takes a fairly minor character and gives it a great fullness and believability. Jazz great Stanley Clarke's music score was also excellent. Some of the plot does stretch believability in a James Bond sort of way such as parachuting to the top of a moving truck; however, if we believe Bond can parachute into a moving plane, perhaps this is great cinematic magic too. All in all, this is a great rainy day DVD, one I've enjoyed repeatedly.
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