Crank Review

Ever since Jason Statham was in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, I've been following every one of his movies. It seems he's able to better himself a little bit with every role he plays. He fits right into the action scene with his smooth martial arts and skillful gunning. I knew Crank would be amazing, and boy was it.

Plot: When professional assassin Chev Chelios finds out he was injected with a dangerous Chinese concoction of adrenaline inhibitors, he has to find a way to keep his adrenaline pumping and his heart rate up. A raging rampage of revenge is exactly what he needs to stay alive.

Crank is pure action, from start to finish. It moves fast right from the opening scene but not so fast that you don't know what's going on. Within the first 10 minutes of the movie, you are given the background of what's going on and the set up of pretty much the rest of the movie. I think this style of opening is pure genius, quick and to the point. You get character development, plot development, and a good opening scene all in one shot. Then from there, the movie takes off and the adrenaline pumping action begins.

The action is fantastic in Crank. So many different action elements are represented. There's fist fighting, gun fighting, car chases, and even a fight scene inside and hanging off a helicopter. All of the action scenes are directed and choreographed amazingly well. The acting is about as good as it can be for this kind of movie. Jason Statham is the perfect man for this role. I really can't imagine anyone else taking this role and having it work so well. Amy Smart, Jose Pablo Cantillo, and Dwight Yoakem all perform well. I'm really surprised that Dwight Yoakem is even in this movie but he does a great job as Doc Miles.

There's only a few points in the movie when they have big plot developing parts, the rest is just mayhem and Chev Chelios trying to stay alive. I wish more movies would come out like this. Let's even give them a new genre name and call them "Instant Action" movies. Anyways, I highly suggest buying the Crank DVD and playing it very loudly. I guarantee you wont be disappointed.

MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, pervasive language, sexuality, nudity and drug use)

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes

Year: 2006

Rating(out of 10): 9.3