High-speed action from start to stop

Rating: 6/10 (14 June 2007)

Jason Statham plays Frank Martin a man works as a professional transporter. That means delivering or driving anyone without asking questions.
Statham is an unlikely action hero. From chased in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels to boxing promoter in Snatch and now energetic action star challenging "actors" as Van Damme for the role as hard-kicking bad boy.
And he does a fine job too. Statham has a lot of presence and a lot more acting talent than other action stars. He might not be a Kevin Spacey but he can definitely get into character. Even if it happens to be the generic "ex-special forces" unwilling hero that just happens to be good at just about everything, except giving up that is.
French action movies are plenty in numbers now a days. This movie isn't bringing life into a stagnating movie industry. If anything this movie is contributing to it. This is, pretty much, a standard generic template. Some cool action stunts, fight scenes, car chase and some, but not much, snappy dialog.
In the end The Transporter is nothing more and nothing less than a good action flick. With Jason Statham as the main contributor that is.
This is also another one, albeit rather early, movie that carries the "Luc Besson Label". He was indeed involved as a writer and producer his name even puts director Louis Leterrier on the side. A director who, as a note, got to direct The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton. That these movies, with Bessons involvement, act as a springboard for directors and upcoming action stars is likely but also sets the standard for movies to come.
Still, Transporter was one of the earlier action movies, not groundbreaking or anything but very well worth viewing and by all likelihood even enjoying.