Ever imagine Hong Kong style action in France, pretty
girls, nice cool cars, being framed, revenge, HK action directors and French
producers, sound familiar? Well, from the same crew that brought you last year
hardcore action thriller Jet Li's Kiss of the Dragon, this summer comes The
Transporter, which is directed by HK action veteran Corey Yuen (The One) and
from the makers of the Professional, French veteran Luc Besson. Looking for an
non-stop action and a little romance, then The Transporter will definitely not
disappoints.
The story starts off with a transporter Frank (Jason Stratham) transporting a
group of bank robbers from police. Without doubt one of the most liveliest car
chase and escape since Jackie Chan's Police Story. Stratham (Snatch) is the
guy that follows the rules and once a deal is made rules are set. Until one
day, out of curiously, he opens the car boot and broke the rules and found a
pretty girl, Lai played by HK superstar Shu Qi (Jackie Chan's Gorgeous). Then
the excitement begin. Bombs after bombs, in a scene which reminds me the scale
of bombing in the movie Pearl Harbour, escapes with girl then girl's father
turns out to be crooked, which leads to hero saving girl. Well if that sounds
good, well that's not even the point, the fun is definitely the action.
The Transporter starring the British up and rising star fresh from his
supporting role in last summer Jet Li's The One put on a good muscular martial
arts action display and together with a dazzling screen presence as the hero.
The action is certainly the highlights and elevated to a new standard with
director Corey Yuen foot marks all over it. The oil fight though clearly seen
before by most Asian audience in the classical Once Upon a Time in China is
indeed a treat and the fight in the bus is also devastating. Supporting
actress is Hong Kong veteran Shu Qi who put on a good innocent and cute face
and surprisingly quite confident English. Her presence only helps to lighten
up the movie even more. The only downside is probably the villains played by
Matt Schulze and Richard Young (Kiss of the Dragon) seem nothing more than
robots trained to be bad.
With non-stop HK style cinema action from start to finish, along with the
presence of Corey Yuen as Director and Luc Besson as Producer definitely did
not leave action fans disappointed. Well, Bruce Willis, Arnie and Stallone get
ready to be transported by the Transporter - Jason Stratham. (Andrew 2002,
edited 2003)
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