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THE TRANSPORTER
Special Delivery Edition
Review by Gordon Justesen
Stars:
Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Francois Berleand, Matt Schulze
Director: Corey Yuen
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, French Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Features: See Review
Length: 92 Minutes
Release Date: August 23, 2005
“I’m
looking for a transporter.”
“I’m
listening.”
Film
***1/2
As the much
anticipated Transporter 2 explodes
into theaters, the original movie, which is still the best action movie of 2002,
and so far of the decade, rides onto DVD in a new Special Delivery Edition.
Like many films of
this genre, The Transporter does rely
on its action scenes, but in between it manages to have a superb sense of humor
of itself, delivering consistent and sharp wit. The movie is, at best, an
inspired mixture of James Bond and martial arts, and if you stop to think about
it, the lead character is in a way something of an original, and is portrayed in
dazzling presence by Jason Statham, who I hope will go on to be one of the top
stars of the action genre, because this movie has definitely given him wings.
Statham is Frank
Martin, a transporter (delivery man), whose job very much consists of illegal
activity, even though it’s simple and somewhat harmless. He is paid highly by
clients to transport any item or person in his black BMW from one destination to
another. Frank also happens to be a former navy SEAL.
He has managed to
stay alive by enforcing three crucial rules to his business; never changing a
deal, no names, and never looking at what is placed in his trunk to transport.
Frank is so cool and efficient in his work that he manages to avoid arrest from
the slightly inept Inspector Tarconi (Francois Berleand), who knows Frank and
questions him frequently following such a reported incident.
The movie opens
with a mind-blowing chase sequence that epitomizes both crazy and cool. Frank
has agreed to transport three armed bank robbers. At the time of pickup, there
are four men. Frank tells the leader he will not proceed unless there are only
three men. The leader then kills off the extra guy, and the chase is on. Frank
leads French police on a high speed chase that includes the demise of many
chairs and tables, and also makes terrific use of a moving flatbed truck.
Throughout this chase, the robbers are screaming their heads off with fear,
while Frank stays narrow-eyed and calm to the fullest.
For his latest
assignment, Frank is called in to transport a rather large package. He is to
deliver it to a wealthy crime lord by the name of Wall Street (Matt Schulze).
While en route to the destination, Frank becomes unusually curious and stops to
look at what it is he is carrying. It turns out to be that of a frightened and
gagged woman, named Lai (Shu Qi). Puzzled but not concerned, he proceeds with
his job. But it isn’t too long after he is targeted for execution by his new
clients who are convinced Frank took notice of what he was carrying, which
isn’t good.
When you have wall
to wall action, it’s sometimes good and sometimes headache inducing, but with The
Transporter, it’s absolutely killer, if you’ll pardon the expression. I
can’t remember the last time I cheered at how awesome action sequences were
executed. The last half hour of the movie is a series of knockout action and
fighting sequences, cut together at a breakneck pace.
Of all the fiery
sequences, the one that stands out is an ingenious fight sequence where Frank,
cornered by multiple enemies, manages to defeat his opponents by covering
himself with oil. In this sequence, and in others, new techniques are used for
both action and humor, with is something I very much appreciated about this
movie. The climax, involving the pursuit of cargo trucks on a freeway, is a real
heart-stopper, and illustrates why you should never find yourself on top of a
sliding car door on the road.
It makes sense that
the director of the movie is Corey Yuen, who has served as the fight
choreographer on many martial arts films. Yuen was a frequent collaborator with
Jet Li, as he choreographed the fight scenes in both Kiss of the Dragon and The One,
which Jason Statham happened to have a supporting role in. It’s clear that
Statham and Yuen struck a chord with one another and it lead to a fantastic
result.
The
Transporter, believe it or
not, wasn’t too far off from making my Ten Best lists for last year, and for a
movie of its type, that’s really saying something. The movie is an action
lover’s dream, in addition to those seeking pure high-powered entertainment.
Video
****
For this new
release, Fox has done the right thing and offered only the widescreen version of
the movie. The anamorphic picture quality is thoroughly clear and alive with an
amazing level of detail, allowing the energetic cinematography to look even more
outstanding. The colors are fantastic, and there is not a single image flaw to
be detected. The movie is, yet again, a marvelous presentation on the DVD
format.
Audio
****
Not only does this
disc include the same banging and boomin’ 5.1 mix, but Fox has even supplied
this one with a DTS 5.1 track, which I can say was even more explosive than the
mix I was so use to hearing. This is far and away one of the best action movies
I’ve ever experienced from an audio perspective on DVD. Everything from action
to music to simple dialogue delivery gets top notch treatment. This remains a
great sound system rocker, and a perfect movie to show off your system when
friends are over.
Features
****
There’s more than
enough to give this an upgraded rating from the last reason. First off, the fact
that you don’t have to flip the disc to get to all the extras is a big bonus.
Featured on the disc is a brand new behind the scenes documentary, along with
the featurette from the original disc. There’s also a commentary track with
Jason Statham and producer Steven Chasman, storyboard comparisons, extended
fight sequences with optional commentary, and a special look at the making of Transporter
2.
Also, while
supplies last, the disc will come with a free ticket to see Transporter 2. Be sure to take advantage of it!
Summary:
