Transporter 3 saves film series with fun action
Movies
By Brian McCumsey
Rocket Movie Critic
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Focus
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The whole "Transporter" franchise was riding on this film. After "Transporter 2" was released, I didn't have much hope for the franchise. While it had entertaining moments, it got away from the grittiness of the first film and replaced it with terribly silly stunts and a sub-par story. Thank goodness the writers, Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, brought the series back to its roots.
The Transporter - better known as Frank Martin, played by Jason Statham ("Crank," "War") - lives by a set of rules:
1. Never change the deal.
2. No names.
3. Never open the package.
In the third installment, Frank's rules are challenged one by one, and he begins to live by the rule: there are exceptions to every rule.
The plot of "Transporter 3" is clever for this type of movie and really ups the suspense level. Martin declines to take a job that he is offered but instead recommends the name of another transporter. One night, when Martin is sitting in his living room, watching television, a car smashes through his wall - it's the other transporter, dead. When Martin looks in the car he sees a woman lying in the backseat.
The man who initially offered the job to Martin goes by the name of Johnson, played by Robert Knepper (TV's "Prison Break," "Hostage"). He sends some men to knock Martin unconscious. When Martin wakes up, he is lying on a doctor's table and wearing a strange metal device on his wrist. Johnson tells him that he is to deliver a package, and if he tries to flee the car - if he gets more than 75 feet away from it - the device will explode.
Valentina - the woman who was in the car that crashed through Martin's house - is told to deliver the package with Martin. Valentina is played by first-time actress Natalya Rudalakova. While Rudalakova isn't a great actress, she is more than capable of filling her role, and even develops a good chemistry with Statham, adding some unexpectedly touching and sweet scenes. One scene that I particularly liked was when Valentina and Martin were discussing what her favorite meal would be. I know that doesn't sound particularly interesting, but the chemistry between them made the scene captivating to me.
While the jury is still out on Rudalakova's acting future, Statham completely owns this film. I am a fan and believe him to be the best action hero in the last ten years. He isn't a hulking monstrosity like the Schwarzeneggers and Stallones of old, but rather is much like the Audi he drives - sleek and stylish. He doesn't lop off the limbs of the unfortunate henchmen who pursue him, but rather fights multiple goons at one time, using martial arts and skillful driving techniques.
This is the film that the new Bond movie should have been. Honestly, "Transporter 3"might have been more like a Bond film than "Quantum of Solace" was. While it isn't essential in order to enjoy this movie, it would not hurt to watch the first two "Transporter" movies before seeing this one.
If you are not an action movie fan, then this film will not change your mind about the genre. But, if you are a person who enjoys cool stunts, martial arts and a compelling story, you really can't go wrong by catching "Transporter 3" at the theater.
RENTAL PICK
Before heading out to "Transporter 3" this weekend, head over to the video store and rent the first two "Transporter" films (or even buy them, because I think you can get them both on one DVD for around $10). While the second "Transporter" isn't as solid as the original or the third, it's still an amusing movie. All the films feature creative and crazy action sequences that would be impossible in the real world, but are still insanely fun to watch. If you are a fan of action films, check out these movies!
Brian McCumsey is a senior history major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.
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