When It Absolutely Has To Be There... "The Transporter"

Rule # 3- Never Open the Package

The Story:

Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is an ex Special Forces soldier who has retired to the coast of France.  He supplements his retirement by transporting things.  Inspector Tarconi (Francois Beleand) knows that Frank is up to something, but Frank is very careful covering his tracks.  On his latest mission, Frank hears something in his trunk, opens up and sees that the package is wiggling.  Frank then breaks Rule # 3.  He arrives, drops off the package (Qi Shu) but tells the bad guy (Matt Schulze) that he didn't peek.  A few hours later as he stops for a snack, Frank's car explodes.  Naturally, Frank doesn't take kindly to nearly being killed, so he's off for revenge.

Yay!

Jason Statham is the 2nd greatest action star to come along on the silver screen during the last decade or so, behind only The Rock. : )

Putting him behind the wheel might feel cliché and overdone, but you stick with what works, and audiences usually leave happy.

Statham as a professional driver who kicks butt when not behind the wheel? 

Recipe for success!

In fact, though I'm sure they didn't smell franchise when it started, several pieces of the Transporter will repeat in the subsequent films. 

Again, if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it!

The action and stunt work in this film are incredible, especially the car chases.   Luc Besson knows how to write a great action screenplay.

All of the other characters are dimensional enough, but besides Frank, only the Inspector gets fully fleshed out as the movie rolls along.  He makes a nice foil for Frank, and their relationship evolves and changes as the movie, and franchise, moves forward.


Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Highly enjoyable, and I'm happy to say this film is indeed in the Action wing of the DVD library.