Crank

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 1, 2006

Release Date: September 1, 2006

Crank looks to be an action film from the trailers, but don’t take it too seriously. Jason Statham’s newest role of badassery creates a rage-filled, adrenaline-pumping, gut-busting good time at the movies.

Hitman Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) has just awakened in his lavish apartment and feels a strange effect on his body. He learns that a poison has been injected into his body that will slow down his heart to the point of death, and the only way to stay alive is by keeping his adrenaline pumping at a furious pace. Chev seeks out the men responsible for his impending death, while trying to make amends with his girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart). Chev tries to keep his heart pumping by triggering fear, violence and pure madness wherever he goes. With the police now following his trail of devastation, he now has to find more creative ways to keep himself alive so he can exact his revenge.

Jason Statham wants to be a leading man in hollywood very seriously. His work in films like Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels introduced him to the big screen, but the performances in The Transporter and The Italian Job established his place as an action star. Statham even further improves his reputation as a badass in Crank, but also helps show a lighter more comedic style to Statham’s work. I wouldn’t say that Crank is so much an action movie, as it is a genre bending film that has a certain unique quality that would drive people to see a similar film such as Snakes on a Plane.

The film begs to never be taken seriously as it begins with heavy metal music and a cheesy 1980’s style video game opening credit sequence. The film further emphasizes its sole purpose, to entertain, by any means necessary. Prepare for a offensive, politically incorrect, cheesy, campy and over the top action film that never lets down. For instance, I assure you that you will never see a more outrageous sex scene in a movie. The product placement in the film makes it feel almost like a film school editing project. If the film had taken itself seriously, things like satellite maps powered by Google to show points of interest within the film would be unforgivable.

While the film has no real plot other than that Chelios wants revenge, it is entertaining…with one catch. Crank will be much funnier if you see it with some lighthearted friends. The humor is very campy and the violence/gore is just too out of control. So if you have one of those friends that over-analyze movies and constantly question realism, tell him to stay home. Crank makes the video game Grand Theft Auto look like a game of Uno, so expect to be shocked and have some fun.

Final Grade: C+

The Upside: A live action rendition of Grand Theft Auto. Creative cinematography that is similar to the style of Tony Scott (Man on Fire, Domino).

The Downside: Plot? We don’t need no stinkin plot!

On the Side: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor both make their directorial debut. This film also features Efren Ramirez, better known as “Pedro” to Napoleon Dynamite fans.

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