Mystic Slippers
Jul 2002
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 Review: Crank (2006)
Name: Crank
Director: Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor
Year: 2006
Official Site: http://www.crankfilm.com
Jason Statham is great. Often critically under the kosh (especially for the likes of Revolver and Transporter 2); I feel i've stuck by him, I like his work (except for Revolver which I refuse to watch). He's a good kid with genuine acting ability, thankfully not restricted to just action or gangster roles. His part as Bateman in the 2005 drama London was a refreshing change of genre for this talented Brit.
His latest role lands him back in the action genre in Crank. Statham plays angry hitman Chev Chelios who awakens one morning to find he's been poisoned by the leader of one of the local mobs. He has to keep his heart beating above a certain level else he will face certain death.
Statham takes to his role in this movie like a duck to water. So in fact do the rest of the cast. Amy Smart in particular as the ditzy, yet fearless girlfriend was particularly impressive. Every role in this movie is played with a lot of passion and vigour; you can tell the cast are really enjoying their respective roles.
The real star of the show though is not Statham but the direction and editing. Crank will most likely never be nominated for an Oscar, but mark my words when I say this is the most impressive directorial debut i've seen in quite some time. Newcomers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor have crafted possibly the slickest, most exciting, original looking movie i've seen in years. With just one movie under their belts they've successfully managed to make Guy Ritchie's filmography resemble the 'masterpieces' of Uwe Boll.
Crank is a slick, fast-paced, perfectly executed little flick. The movie is full of cute touches. Examples include the toying with the subtitles, little anecdotes on the screen, the cellphone ringtone and the best little 'feature' you'll find that appears after the final credits have rolled. Oddly enough it's this feature that enforces my thoughts on a certain video game that this movie could so obviously be compared to.
There are many comparisons you could make with this film, and while the plot is a little on the thin side, for this particular movie that is not a huge factor. The viewer does not need vast quantities of information to understand the movie. To bring that element in to Crank would have ruined the movie. It's a simple story that's been executed perfectly.
Audio wise Crank has a great variation of styles that suit the fast-changing moods of the movie. When Statham is pumped up and crazy all hell breaks loose audio wise. The viewer is treated to brain-bleeding punk and death metal but when Statham is suffering from the effects of the poison and time slows down the audio changes to more chilled out tracks. Some of which the viewer may be familiar with.
Crank is a neat and tidy package that delivers on every level. It's got a bit of everything, even some very amusing comedy moments.
Without doubt one of the best movies of 2006 and one of the most impressive directorial debuts i've seen in years.
Do not avoid this movie. Go see it as quickly as possible, it's excellent.
FINAL SCORE: 9/10
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Last edited by Mystic Slippers on 10-01-2006 at 11:39 PM
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10-01-2006 11:36 PM
