Transporter 2



Transporter 2 is the best kind of B-movie sequel. The filmmakers didn't waste money on lots more explosions, but focused on the three things that made the original films successful: Jason Statham, kung fu fights, and Euro-trash villains.


Valet parking in Miami.

This time around professional driver Frank (Statham) is temporarily working for a rich couple in Miami with government ties. The couple's young son is kidnapped by a gang of international mercenaries who have an insanely complicated plan to infect the boy with the McGuffin Virus and disrupt some sort of drug enforcement conference. The movie is basically Franks driving around and doing crazy stuff, either because he's searching for the kid, or later, the McGuffin Antidote.

In The Transporter (2002) the kung fu fights didn't really happen until the second half of the movie, but here writer/producer Luc Besson has correctly decided that they should be front and center. Corey Yuen is the action director again, and he does a fine job with the fights, many of which are downright clever. Most of the behind-the-scenes talent on Transporter 2 also worked on this year's Unleashed, another pretty good martial arts flick. These French people seem to be getting the hang of the whole kung fu thing.


Yeah, she kills people, but for some reason her male victims don't complain much.

The original film didn't make a ton of money, so there has been some questioning of why this movie got made. I suspect they got a big chunk of change from Audi. Frank's car is a Audi instead of a BMW, and the car gets many, many loving close-ups. Moreover the Audi appears to be made of the same adamantium-vibranium alloy as Captain America's shield, because no matter how many horrible things Frank does to it, including driving it through a cinderblock wall, the car never shows the slightest scratch.

I love Jason Statham. Nearly every line he delivers cracks me up, and I really enjoyed him in Snatch (2000). It was probably a no-brainer for him to be in this movie, and he really raises the whole movie with his charismatic and athletic presence. What I don't understand is why he seems to be so brick-stupid when it comes to choosing roles. Sure, the two Transporter films were good for showcasing his skills as an actor, but why in the name of all that is good and holy did he sign up for Uwe Boll's Dungeon Siege? Working with Uwe Boll is something you should do after your career has collapsed (Michael Paré, Caper Van Dien), not on your way up.

The only sour note is the inclusion of François Beréand as the cop character he played in the first movie. He doesn't fit into the sequel, and his every scene slows the movie down badly.

Posted: Sun - September 11, 2005 at      

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