The Transporter

The Transporter has oft been compared to the dreck that is xXx. And it always comes out on top. Why? Well, both of them star a bald-headed man, cut to be the next big action star, and feature stunts galore, as well as babes, foreign locations and cool cars.

But Mark "Silly Voice" Vincent is no more than a pile of ten-chinned, dolphin-faced, ugly muscle, who is out to show off and proudly wear the heavily Eighties crown of Action Hero upon his brow. Jason Statham, however, reeks class, cleverness and cunning. He keeps his cool and remains silent, whereas Vin Diesel would say something stupid in a silly voice. Also, Statham can actually act, which always helps.

The plot is basic, but who cares? It's an excuse for action. And when the action is this cool, what more do you want? If it's pretentiousness, or delusions of grandeur, you're after, then go check out Matrix Reloaded.

The Transporter may be simple, but nothing feels mechanical.

Frank Martin (Statham) is a retired SAS soldier, who has shacked up in the South of France. He works as a courier for the underworld and uses three simple rules to stay as impartial as possible in his dealings. One day, when a package starts squirming, he opens up a can of worms, breaks all his rules and ends up in big trouble with dozens of evil thugs, headed by the sinister Wall Street (Matt Schulze).

Much like Kiss Of The Dragon, also written and produced by Robert Mark Kamen and Luc Besson, The Transporter features our hero taking on impossible odds and winning. Legions of goons come after Frank but he has the awesome talent of genius fight choreographer Cory Yuen to rely on. Props and sets become improvisational weapons and the goons don't stand a chance. Just check out the container fight, or the bus barn rumble for evidence of this.

Even the crazy opening car chase echoes Besson's own Taxi movies. And if you're a fan, au fait with his action output of the last few years, this won't disappoint. There are a couple of drawbacks; it simply isn't long enough and the ending is too sudden, with not enough plot being wrapped.

This can be forgiven, as already there are rumors of a sequel - please! please! For the moment, however, The Transporter and Kiss Of The Dragon make an awesome twosome and you'd have a hard time finding higher quality action in other recent Hollywood movies.