A Major Disappointment

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Crank is a very rare breed of film that takes the conventions of a traditional movie and throws them out of a moving car. It's story is basic and to the point, but my belief is that heavily action oriented films should allow their watchers to switch off their brains and just glide through every awesome detail of it. The cinematography in Crank is excellent, from camera angles that I've found potentially too gimmicky for other films, they are used to precision here. The film delights in fast cutting, hard hitting stunts and scenes that are very anti establishment. Crank gets you geared up with a thumping soundtrack and scenes of wincing brutality, the likes of which I have rarely seen on screen. Time should also be taken to review Jason Statham's performance in the film. You feel like you are really getting inside the mindset of a vengeful, unhinged, hard-man/maniac and I personally love every second of it. There are also some great comedy moments, especially featuring Amy Smart's character trying to bring things back down to earth, often with unusual consequences.You shouldn't think about any of the small print while watching the film. If you're questioning the realism or fundamentals of Crank at any time, without letting them wash over you with a smirk, you are not the target demographic. Switch off that brain and let this unique, high octane, barnstormer of a film, roll with the awesome punches it so clearly wants to throw at you.

"Chev Chelios" (Jason Statham) wakes up in his apartment and finds out that he has been given an injection of a special Chinese drug known as a "Beijing Cocktail" which essentially acts as a poison by slowing his heart down until death eventually ensues. So in order to survive he has to stay as active as possible while simultaneously seeking out a drug dealer named "Ricky Verona" (Jose Pablo Cantillo) who did this to him in the hope that he might have the antidote. Yet at the same time he also needs the help of his new girlfriend "Eve" (Amy Smart) but doesn't quite know how to tell her that he got into this situation because he is a hit-man for the mob. In any case, Chev is in serious trouble and he can't afford to rest or slow down as long as this poison remains in his system. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I have conflicting opinions about this film. For starters, I don't generally care for movies that consist of action at the expense of everything else--and this film certainly has a lot of action. However, given the the fact that this film is based on a video game along with a plot that requires the main character to keep active, I suppose this is one feature that simply cannot be avoided. Likewise, I don't especially care for films that are laced with profanity from start-to-finish and this film has that as well. But again, Chev isn't exactly a person who mixes well in polite society. So given that fact the low-class vocabulary is also probably justified to a certain degree. However, what really annoys me the most is the plethora of films made in this day and age which confers special powers or attributes to the main character out of all semblance to reality. That said, if the directors (Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor) felt it was so necessary to use crude language and humor to capture a sense of realism--then they should have kept everything else as realistic as possible too! Otherwise, they should have put a cape and costume on the main character and been done with it. At least that way it doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence. Now, having said that, allow me to say that there were some pretty good action scenes in spite of the criticisms just noted. Again, the action was crucial to the overall plot of the film and so it was justified to a large degree. Hence my conflicting opinions toward this movie. But in any case, I believe it would have been much better if some of the language and sexual scenarios had been toned down a bit. That being the case I have rated this movie accordingly. Average.

My friend is a big Jason Statham fan. I said to her, 'You must have LOVED 'Crank' then?' to which she said that – actually – she hated it. Her reason was that it was too 'unrealistic.' So, perhaps straight off, I should warn people that if they're expecting something majorly true to life and realistic then they better move on. Crank is 100% not realistic. There have been numerous parallels to video games (mainly the 'Grand Theft Auto' franchise) in as much as it's stupidly over-the-top, but knowingly so – so that's okay (in my book, anyway).Jason 'The Stath' Statham, plays a hit-man with a name that I can never remember how to spell and, one sunny morning in Los Angeles, he wakes up poisoned by a baddie and with less than an hour to live (but, it's also worth noting that the film's runtime is over an hour and a half, so we know that the Stath is going to last a little longer than his foe intended). However, luckily for our cockney hero (yes, he's not bothering with his faux U.S. accent) he soon figures out that if he keeps his adrenaline suitably raised then he'll be okay (well, not okay, but won't die instantly).So, that's basically the film – Jason Statham runs (literally!) from scene to scene, finding one weird and wonderful way of keeping his heart rate up while trying to track down and kill the person who did this to him (and, if there's a genuine antidote out there, he'll have that, too). And that's where the video game similarities start to ring true. It does seem like Jason Statham is travelling from one 'level' to the next, fighting an 'end-of-level-boss' before moving on to the next. What I'm trying to say is that there isn't much of a story to it, so – again – if you're expecting either realism or an in-depth story then you're looking in the wrong place.Me? I like a film that's totally unrealistic with no real story. Therefore, I loved 'Crank.' Yes, it's totally daft, but it never sets out to be anything other than a completely ridiculous action film that's filmed like a cool 'MTV-style' music video. If it wasn't for the fact that Jason Statham is a sex symbol for women, I may be almost tempted to say that Crank is a 'guy's film.' Either way, it's a type of film that you'll either love or hate. I can't see film critics appreciating it much. You don't need much brain power to 'get' it – just be in the mood for something both action-packed and low brow. This is definitely it.

Another winner for Jason Stratham is "Crank", and really exciting thriller currently available on NetFlix Instant Download Streaming. It is an action packed movie from 2006, and leaves one breathless with each ensuing scene. It is directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor and it is written by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. The stars include Jason Stratham, Amy Smart, and Carlos Sanz. The story is that of a hit man who has been poisoned by a Chinese drug that inhibits adrenalin and he has to keep his heart racing in order to stay alive. I gave it two thumbs up for its never ending action and thrilling ending. One should not miss this winning show.