Amazon.com Action anti-hero Jason Statham is competing with himself to make the most relentless, non-stop action flick imaginable. In Crank, Statham stars as a hit man named Chev Chelios who's been poisoned by some Chinese toxin; the only way to stave it off is to keep his adrenalin flowing, which requires him to drive at top speeds through crowded traffic, start fights in bars, and run pell-mell down hospital corridors while wearing one of those humiliating smocks that tie in the back. In other words, Crank is high-end pop-trash, filled with many preposterous/ingenious stunts and over-the-top performances (Dwight Yoakam, Sling Blade, is downright droll as a doctor offering Chev assistance), marred by an unpleasant attitude towards women (Amy Smart, Outside Providence, will not look back on this as one of her signature roles). This is a movie for the audience who enjoyed Transporter and Transporter 2 but wanted Statham's perpetual scowl to become a kind of theatrical mask, a perpetual signifier of intensity that begs--nay, demands--that everything around it rise to a mutual level of absurdity. Fans of Luc Besson (Leon/The Professional, District 13) will find Crank to be simpatico. --Bret Fetzer
Description A professional hit man (Jason Statham) is poisoned and has only hours to live. He has some big tasks to accomplish before the grim reaper arrives.
Run, Don't Walk: Non-Stop, Adrenaline-Pumping Action Film
Here is a modern-day version of Edmond O'Brien's (or Dennis Quiad's if you like) "D.O.A" for video-game generation. Jason Statham plays a professional killer Chev Chelios, who is injected with a lethal dose of poison. To stay alive, he must keep his increased adrenaline flow by doing whatever excites his body and mind - guns, car chases, etc. and headbanging in a taxi if he really needs it.
The film's opening five minutes tell Chev (and us) who really poisoned him, so the thin story of "Crank" does not have big surprises. That itself is not a bad thing, but still the weak script and unmemorable supports (except Dwight Yoakam's droll doctor) cannot be ignored even though Jason Statham's considerable charisma that made him internationally famous with "Transporter" remains mostly intact throughout.
And if you're looking for the well-choreographed actions of "Transporter," please remember this. The actions here are done with frantic pace, shot sometimes with slanted HD camera, so it's more like watching someone else's video games. Though lots of bullets fly over the hero's head, the film is not as thrilling as it should be, perhaps because of the lack of better choreography and skillful editing. Also, Amy Smart ("Road Trip" "The Butterfly Effect") appears as Chev's girlfriend, but the film does not seem to know how to incorporate her character into the story, and the film's brief `love scene' is not something that would advance her career.
All in all "Crank" is an entertaining film with mindless fun. It's based on impossible and outrageous concept (like "Snakes on the Plane") but is an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride nonetheless.
Good little action movie
This movie was what id expect- a nonstop action movie with little value. Jason Statham is a great action star in my eyes. He was great in The Transporter and is a highly enjoyable movie series. Id recommend this movie to people who like action movies, but dont look for a meanings. Also check out the Transporter series.
Crank
When I first saw this movie Crank, I though it was kind of stupid and wasn't worth it, that's because I only saw half of the movie. Then the second time when I watched from the beginning to the end I thought it was ok I'll give the movie about 3 1/2 stars. The scenes I enjoyed watching was when Chev was in the cab and the radio was playing "Achky breaky heart". I didn't like the Chinatown scene, they could have did away with that scene, I think the directors went a little to far with that.
Never mind some people, this film is the SH--
An hour and a half over pure intensity and action. I have no idea why someone wouldn't like this film. These are the people who would just die in the same situation. Crapped themselves and died. Awesome! Intense! Ends the way it should end.
Very fun party movie!
This movie is not a serious action flick. It's a silly comedy/action that uses low budget special effects which reminds you not to take the film seriously. You don't have to pay attention to the plot; you can drink beers and talk to your buddies throughout the whole thing and not get lost. If you like to laugh at action, drugs, sex, and violence, this is a good film for you.