Big, Daft, Entertaining Euro-Action!

Rating: 6/10 (21 January 2007)

I really wasn't expecting all that much from "The Transporter". Although Luc Besson co-wrote the screenplay, it didn't have a lot to recommend it. An action flick directed by a couple of guys I'd never heard of before, starring Ross Kemp Lookalike Jason Statham? Why am I even bothering?
Well, uh, I was hooked after the first big car chase. Completely improbable stunts, but executed so slickly that I was unable to look away. There are a few slow sections of the movie (normally when someone bothers to explain what's going on) but it's worth watching for the action sequences. Jason Statham performs his martial arts moves pretty well and the fight scenes are surprisingly inventive. I particularly liked the use of bicycle pedals in one scene! The use of CGI in the big action set pieces is kept to a discreet minimum, so there's plenty to wince at as cars (and characters) get thrown about like toys.
There was some sort of plot but it's best ignored. Watch "The Transporter" for the stunts and fight scenes and you won't be disappointed.