By After three years, Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is brought back to life in the upcoming action film, “Transporter 3,” a Lionsgate motion picture.
Indulging in the pleasures of life, like fishing with friend, Tarconi (Francois Berléand) is not an option. His day as an ordinary civilian is interrupted when he is forced by Johnson (Robert Knepper) to take on a new carrier job, which he accepts under one condition: he drives his own car, an Audi.
The same rules apply but unlike the other two “Transporter” films there is one catch. This time, if Frank steps more than 100 feet away from his car, the electronic bracelet he wears around his wrist will go KA-BOOM!
The car he has always been dependent on, now dominates the situation between life and death.
Riding shotgun is Valentina, the vulnerable character in the film, played by new-comer, Natalya Rudakova. Though Valentina tries hard to portray a classy food know-it-all, she comes across as a snobby-childish adult that Frank has to baby-sit — from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest to his final destination in Odessa.
Frank’s mission gets harder to carry out when his emotions and ways change from breaking his rules to being a true romantic at heart.
The cinematography, created by director Olivier Megaton, enhances the experience of the action sequences by using new editing techniques and taking advantage of technology that allows cameras to give the viewer an up-close and personal feel.
Although screenplay writers Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen make an effort to come up with a gripping and substantial plot, the story gets lost within all the “knuckled hard action.” When the action competes with the story, the action prevails.
With the expertise of martial arts choreographer Cory Yuen and other experts, the action does not come in short supply nor does it appear unconvincing.
Statham pulled off most of the stunts in this film and although it seems nearly impossible to win in a 12-to-1 fighting match, and lift up the car’s right side tires off the pavement to drive in-between two moving trucks, Frank can do it. From showing off his muscled-arms during a strip-tease, to riding at full speed in his Audi, Statham’s character brings a little something-something for everyone.
Wearing his signature style — tailored black blazer, white-collar blouse, flailing black tie, creased slacks and polished leather shoes, Frank is ready to put it in drive and speed ahead to a top five slot in the charts, come Nov. 26.
Rate: 3 stars
Our Take: It’s filled with a lot of action and it won’t disappoint in that aspect and expect to want more — popcorn that is, rather than another “Transporter” film.
Synopsis: While traveling with Valentina and his “package,” Frank Martin is forced to question his rules and his philosophy on love.
