Stylish European mayhem from beginning to end.

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2003)

I had heard nothing good about this film, but as I started to like Jason Statham in Jet Li's 'The One', I thought I would see his headlining performance in 'The Transporter' when it came to the UK.
I had already heard that the director was only interested in stunts and that Statham's accent drifted from faux-American back to archetypical Mockney. I had already read that there was no plot to speak off and that the whole enterprise was unrealistic.
Having seen the film and been flabbergasted by its stylishness, I don't think these valid criticisms touch the film.
Jason Statham is the Man. Tough, composed, laconic and absolutely ready and willing to take on any number of hostiles. How can he be so good at this kind of martial mayhem? How can he be so flexible? I have seen generations of genuine martial artists take to the cinema - Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Olivier Gruner, Cynthia Rothrock, Don 'The Dragon' Wilson - but on the basis of 'The Transporter' these have nothing on Jason.
There are enough stylish and imaginative stunts to make me think this film is at least on a par with the best James Bond films.
Other attractive features are the beautiful vistas from Southern France, the well-placed musical tracks, the villains who are 'well 'ard' and 'serious'.
I don't know how an obscure British actor gets to star in a film that opened at cinemas in the USA and didn't go straight to video in the UK. I hear that Jason Statham will get to do another two films. I really can't wait to this guy in action again.