Transporter 2 (2005) starring Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta, Kate Nauta, Matthew Modine, Jason Flemyng, Keith David, Hunter Clary directed by Louis Leterrier Movie Review

Transporter 2 (2005)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jason Statham as Frank Martin in Transporter 2

This Lola Doesn't Run

When I reviewed "The Transporter" I said it was one of those movies where what is usually important such as storyline, acting and realism become unimportant as it entertains with snappy action. It's obvious that director Louis Leterrier realised this when it came to the less than surprising sequel "Transporter 2" because this is a movie that delivers even more snappy action than the first movie. But, and yes there is a but, as whilst again watching loads of action and Jason Statham being cool and hard is entertaining it goes too far this time around with the laws of physics ignored in favour of over the top and out of this world action which spoils things.

Having relocated from the French Mediterranean to Miami, Frank Martin (Jason Statham - Cellular) is still making a living as a professional transporter, although he also does a bit of less risky driving, picking up Jack Billing (Hunter Clary) from school for the wealthy and powerful parents. Despite being ultra cool Frank has grown fond of young Jack and when the young boy is kidnapped Frank uses all his Special Forces skills to try and track him down whilst avoiding the police who suspect he is involved with the kidnapping.

Kate Nauta as Lola in Transporter 2

As storyline's go I think "Transporter 2" has the slimmest storyline I have ever seen, Frank goes after bad guys who kidnap a child, kicks butt whilst trying to save the day. That is really all there is this time around and whilst there is suggestion that maybe Frank has feelings for Audrey the child's married mother nothing comes of it. If it wasn't for the fact that you watch "Transporter 2" in the knowledge that it is all about the action this lack of storyline would be disappointing but ironically because this is all about the action you don't mind. You don't mind that what little storyline there is which includes Inspector Tarconi visiting Frank in Miami is ultimately unimportant and unbelievable.

But before getting to the action it has to be said that "Transporter 2" does a nice job of basically playing with you especially during the opening scene. Not only do we witness Frank having to deal with some car-jackers who think they can steal his flash car but there is a nice twist as it also mirrors the opening scene to "The Transporter". In fact the various references and in jokes, such as the use of slippery oil, do make for some great smile moments.

Now for the action and this is the thing you do expect the action to be outrageous, you do expect the car stunts to be just the wrong side of believable and for the kick butt action to be the stuff of legend where Frank takes down more men than is feasibly possible. But everything you expect is taken too far, there is some great car action which then goes too far and completely ignores the laws of physics and watching Frank battle a group of men with a fire hose looks good but it then adds something extra to make it too unbelievable. Of course all this unbelievable action is meant to be amusing and in fairness it is but it gets to the point where it becomes cheesy rather than amusing and exciting.

Having said that one thing which does remain exciting and that is Jason Statham who is more cool, more suave and more dangerous than he was the first time around. Cool in fact isn't a good enough word to describe Statham as Frank as this is a man who fears nothing and no one and will use whatever comes to hand to defend himself which gives us even more Jackie Chan style action. And it's a good job that Statham does capture your attention as the rest of the cast fail, ending up as background noise with the exception of Kate Nauta who as Lola grabs your attention with a kinky gun fetish going on.

What this all boils down to is that "Transporter 2" is basically what you expect, not much storyline with a lot of action and Jason Statham not only being very cool but kicking plenty of butt. For those who just want a lot of action it will entertain but it does go a bit too far as action becomes a little too outrageous and unbelievable.


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