Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-17 19:06:39

Not as bad as I was expecting but still a little lacking

Would someone please give Jason Statham a good script?!? Since Lock and Snatch the most professional film he has appeared in was Collateral...and his credit in that gem is "Airport Man". Didn't anyone prominent in Hollywood think his role in Snatch was worthy of scripts better than this (and others of late). The first Transporter was fun albeit far-fetched. The sequel was so over-the-top it was laughable. The One had its moments but Jason was sort of an afterthought. The same could be said of Cellular.Ok, back to the review of the product itself and no more rambling on why Jason Statham's agent should be beat about the head and shoulders.It's simple enough. Did you love The Transporter and at least like the sequel? If so, proceed without caution. You won't have any complaints. The film direction and camera usage are engaging. The characters are just quirky enough to bolster the intended weirdness of the storyline. Dwight Yokum's deadpan was enjoyable. All-in-all it's not a classic but there are worse ways to spend 87 minutes.Last point. The back of the dvd claims that there is a 'family-friendly' audio feature. You have to go to the special features but it is there. We watched one scene with the standard audio and then rewatched the scene with the 'family-friendly' audio. I immediately formed two questions after re-watching the scene. (1) Is this supposed to be funny? Words like 'stuff' and 'crap' were laid over the original audio track and that made sense. However, when Jason refers to someone as a Mocha Frappachino (in place of two other words starting with the same letters) it was a laugh riot. (2) In this film, limbs are severed, brains are splattered, breasts are exposed throughout, and our heroes have sex in a very public place. All of this is still present in the version featuring the 'family-friendly' audio. So this then is supposed to appeal to who exactly? Those parents who are ok with letting the little tykes see blood, brains, and breasts but really don't want their toddlers first words to be the equivalent of Mocha Frappachio?

2012-05-17 08:11:09

Good blu-ray, boring movie

This review is from: Crank [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) I though the blu-ray was very good but I found the movie predictable and very boring. I bought it because of the raves of the HD quality and it is very good in that respect. I hate the movie itself though.

2012-05-16 13:57:07

You have to know what you're getting into but it's fun as hell if you do

This review is from: Crank (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) This is one of my all time favorite movies. That being said, it is by no means a good movie. This is the sort of mind sucking action film that makes a man feel like the old caveman days are back. Just pure adrenaline, action scene after action scene comprise this movie, but frankly thats just fine. If you want a film that doesn't slow down, that gets your blood pumping, and makes you wanna climb Mt. Everest without a shirt on this is it. If you want something that is sophisticated, or has great characters and dailogue then you'd be better of with something else.Decent all around movie, but mostly fun for the sake of fun. Easily worth $10 to the right audience.(sorry for any spelling errors I may have missed)

sackjigler 2012-05-16 01:48:51

go see this movie

ill keep this simple. this movie is everything you are looking for. itis easily the most entertaining movie I've seen in a long time, maybeever. why it didn't get more attention is beyond me. it is truly nonstop from beginning to end, hilarious and action packed, it shocked mewith how good it was. go see this movie. You could tell the cast washaving a blast with this one. i have never been in a movie whereeveryone unanimously laughed and clapped at all the same parts. it wasthe best movie of the summer and will be well liked by women and menthe same. i give it an 11 out of 10. i don't want to spoil anything foranyone, just see it.

2012-05-12 20:08:24

WOW

I'm very very picky about my action movies and this one is worth the trouble. Story line shmory line, this is an ACTION movie. I watch my action movies for action not a lesson in philosophy and religion. Kind of a heartbreaking movie, though, because he's dead no matter what. The man can't sleep or he slips in a coma. Going out with a bang with a freefall from a helicopter telling his woman how much he loved her... that's a film. You won't regret owning this, I promise you.p.s. It is very possible that the negative reviewers are crackbabies. That is all.

2012-05-12 01:26:06

WILD FUN!

THIS MOVIE WAS PRETTY CRAZY! THE STAR CHARACTER "JASON STATHAM" WAS DOING SOME OVER THE TOP THINGS IN THIS MOVIE TO STAY ALIVE! IT HAD A LOT OF COMEDY MIXED IN WITH ONE ENTERESTING SEX SCENE! I THOUGHT THE MOVIE WAS ALSO GOOD BECAUSE IT WAS STRAIGHT FOWARD, WITH OUT ANY BORING WATERED DOWN SCENES WITH JUST LONG TALK AND LESS ACTION! IT WAS JUST A KICK IN THE FACE WITH MAYHEM FROM THE OPENNING SCENE TO END! IT WAS A GOOD MOVIE TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

macsee 2012-05-07 08:29:59

GrandTheftAuto in film.

If seeing Grand Theft Auto made into an 80 min. film is something youwant to spend your hard earned money and time on then this is the filmfor you. Its a shame that what is obviously a film with high productionvalues (actors, costumes, sets)have been wasted on such an empty film.Jason Statham is one of my favorite actors and I was hoping for a crossbetween "Lock, Stock, and Both Barrels" and "The Transporter," i.e. afilm with fast action, violence, sex... that also had you identifyingor a least feeling empathy for the characters. This film did notdeliver on any of this.The action was essentially short clips punctuated by jerking, freneticclose-ups created by the hand held camera. The violence had no purposeother than to try and shock and turn ones stomach, "How To Eat FriedWorms" does a better job. And the sex was so improbable and lame thatit came across more creepy than anything else.Its too bad the film's pr department weren't more honest in the releaseof the film. If they pushed it for what it is, a film version of avideo game, they might be successful in making some money on this bust.The fact that there was no preview release tends to say that theproducers know they have a turkey. It should have gone straight to DVD.

at7000 2012-05-06 20:34:11

Why did Verona Poison Chev???

If you read a lot of online critics, they always raise that question asa plot hole. See Mr. Cranky for example-http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/crank.html My theory is this- Verona wasmad about the hit that Chev was supposed to do on that Chinese guy. Theone whom he let live and get out of town. Am I right here people???Chev told Verona he still did the hit and took the money for the hit,but maybe Verona had known Chev had burned him for the money.The other question they raise is "Why the slow acting poison instead ofa bullet to the head?" This one is very obvious, the poison wasdesigned to be a "cruel and unusual" punishment and then death.Basically a way of torturing the guy more. A bullet would have been tooquick and easy, this way, Chev gets to suffer in slow agony for hisremaining hours. That is why Verona did the video and all, to rub itinto Chev, get revenge on him, make him suffer.

Frank Markland 2012-05-06 06:01:22

Injected with a poison!

Chev Chelios (Jason Statham, a great action star) is an assassin whohas been injected with a poison, a poison that will kill him unless hekeeps himself charged with adrenaline, for Chelios wants to survive notnecessarily to live a happy life but rather so he can kill thoseresponsible for his plight in what is easily a classic that might havestarted the comeback in action films. Crank is not only a good movie,it's as far as i'm concerned a classic of the genre. Let me put it toyou this way, this would've fit in perfectly with a Van Damme headbasher of the early 90s, actually it would even hold it's own against aSchwarzenegger flick. This is high praise as I enjoy both action stars.Crank works due to it's lack of self awareness, over the top carnageand a hero who feels true to the classic action hero of the good olddays. Indeed this is the perfect example of what is great about agenre, the movie is fast paced, well acted and the direction isprecise. The camera manages to capture the action sequences and thesoundtrack which in my mind still features the best use of a Loverboysong (Turn Me Loose, for all you youngsters) and Amy Smart is without adoubt one of the hottest heroines in an action film in ages. Smartplays it tongue in cheek, and her sequence where Statham has sex withher in public to keep his energy up, could in fact strike oneoffensive, until you see the way Smart plays it for laughs and it'sobvious her playful performance makes it hard to take the movie'srisqué parts seriously, indeed she manages to be still sexy andhumorous here. Indeed Statham and Smart share great chemistry and theirchemistry adds unexpected depth to what would be preposterous. Theaction element is fantastic, the pace is fast and the film whileridiculous makes for fantastic guilty pleasure fun.* * *1/2 out of 4-(Very Good)

paul_bregman 2012-05-05 16:42:13

Wow!

Not since Citizen Kane has a movie of this importance.... Just kidding.But what a ride! It was fun see Statham just throw his tough guy imageout the window as he runs around LA in a hospital gown with no closurein the back. The action scenes were unique (Statham riding standing ona motorcycle with his arms outstretched was reminiscent of Meg Ryan inCity of Angels)and the 'reaction' he has from the Epi shot was toofunny (call him Omar the tent maker) Top notch action and fight scenes,but the humor dominated the movie, and kept it from being Transporter3. Amy Smart was great as the semi- ditsy girlfriend who thinks hetests video games for a living. This may not break any box officerecords, but it will be huge on video!

2012-04-28 10:20:26

I rate the movie not the product

This review is from: Crank [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) No Citizen Kane but original cinematography and fun to watch, plus i like Jason Statham

scobbah 2012-04-27 15:55:06

Very original and a good piece of contemporary challenging film

A feature film that puts Jason Statham in the front is more or lessdestined to be action-packed from the beginning to the end and Crank isnot an exception. At first glance the duration of 1h30min might seem aspretty standard but I experienced the film to be somewhat longer due toits high pace. Trust me, 1h30min of this roller-coaster adrenalinechase is enough and I do not mean it in a negative way - I would notlike to see the flick shorter nor any longer as it is perfect as it is!Anyone who has grown a predilection for Statham's acting ought to seethis one. I can imagine that fans of films such as Snatch and LockStock And Two Smoking Barrels will love this one. Noteworthy is that Iperceived the pace of Crank to be somewhat higher than the pace of theother films previously mentioned. Crank brings about violence, drugs,sex and even more violence, so sensitive viewers may want to takecaution. Crank is not just another film depicting fast-cut scenes ofviolence, however, and I believe it as a lot more to offer thecinema-goers than just stimulating their thirst for violence. The filmis very original indeed and it is a good piece of contemporarychallenging film since it is not flirting with all the conventions ofthe genre, I believe.7/10 - well worth a try!

2012-04-27 12:58:30

Great action film with some great laughs

Breaks a lot of rules of film making. Amazing fast paced camera work.Intense action yet there are a lot more laughs than Stratham moviesusually have. All action fans and interest film students should seethis film.Chev Chelios, played by Jason Stratham, is poisoned at the verybeginning of the film with the Beijing Cocktail. He will die if hisadrenaline isn't maxing out. This sets the course for his rampage ofthe city happening on the streets, in malls, in hospitals, in cars, onbikes. He does whatever it takes to keep the adrenaline going, so hecan have his revenge. Amy Smart played her usual role as Chev'sgirlfriend. I really enjoyed the ending - stood out the from rest ofthe film in a smart way. I don't want to spoil that.

richard_sleboe 2012-04-27 01:26:31

One ring tone to spoil it

It's the plot of the century, and rookie directors Mark Neveldine andBrian Taylor pull it off all the way. Retired hit-man Chev Chelios(Jason Statham) has been injected with a vicious drug, The BeijingCocktail. It will kill him if he slows down, so he has to do all he canto stay excited. Shouldn't be so hard when you're an ex-assassin withhalf the LA underworld at your heels, but Chelios makes a real missionof it. The excitement sure rubs off on the audience: "Crank" isvisually intense, an all-around big dipper at supersonic pace. Chev'sinitially clueless girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart) is the saucy icing onthis racy cake of an action flick. I have *loved* Amy Smart ever sinceshe took it out on Charlene in "Rat Race", possibly the most grippingportrayal of a jealous girlfriend in motion picture history. But thepublic coitus interruptus, interrupted by, of all things, a waywardcell phone call, is out of this world. Go see "Crank" for the Chinatownsex scene alone. Quote Amy Smart: "It's the kind of scene where youjust have to go for it. You can't hold back or it's just not going towork."

2012-04-25 13:25:14

review

This review is from: Crank (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) I received the movie fairly fast, but it was not as good as his previous shows

Mino 2012-04-24 20:51:03

Dope!

The originality of the movie lays in the fact that all the actions themain character directs outwards are a result of his inner condition,respectively the need to sustain the adrenalin flowing, and thuswillingly and randomly, at times, creating situations that will sustainhim alive. Therefore the writers had some excellent opportunities tospin around the formula, so-to-say, and create some truly probably soonto be cult scenes of lunacy. The result is an Asian-film look-alikethat dares to be video-clip-esquire and gore-funny just as much asadrenalin-pumped to the very end scene, which I loved, by the way.Jason Statham may be a bit monosyllabic in his movies, usually, but Ibelieve is the rightful successor of Bruce Willis as a lead in actionflicks for his rugged pi**ed off with a vengeance attitude. Amy Smartcool as always.Loved the score, too.

LagerLagerLagerShouting 2012-04-22 23:00:39

Leave Your Brain At The Door.

If you like brainless action flicks with insane set-pieces, greatone-liners and zero character development so you don't give a rat's-assabout them, then Crank is probably the film for you. It is doneoriginally, like a computer game where the action supersedes the plot.It keeps the film moving and the viewer entertained at the same time atthe ridiculous and extreme scenarios and this is all the directors wantCrank to do. Everything, including generic realism, convincing plot andbackground characters plays second-fiddle to the stylised action and Icouldn't help but be entertained, especially at the completely unsubtlecontemporary culture-clash comedy references!6/10

wild_martian 2012-04-22 10:05:57

unapologetically revels in the b movie zone

the film certainly delivers on its promise to entertain throughimprobable antics of drug induced quality. there is no shortage ofwhipper dialog, director's cut quality raw action or fast paced chasesof many kinds. So what does this is amount to other than a really goodwatch, and a fresh new style that cannot be defined by a straight cutfilm executive. the overall feel of the movie jars with top-shelfediting as it tries to transfer the high energy, non-stopper with theright amount of credibility while discarding the ridiculous.acting does not disappoint as it never promises anything past theadrenaline rush and stays true to the task at hand for all of the 83minutes. the protagonist / antagonist friction is what drives themotive for all of the scenes through well placed action/dialog andsuperb physical comedy.

2012-04-19 08:43:51

Non-stop adrenaline and laughs

This review is from: Crank (Amazon Instant Video) The plot is very simple: someone gets poisoned, is later told about it and sets out on an unusual journey of revenge. They did a surprisingly good job at creating a movie out of that simple plot: the non-stop action, ironies and laughs keep your interest throughout. Even if this isn't your typical flick, you'll enjoy the ride. Just be prepared for high-adrenaline (pun intended).

tomscammell 2012-04-19 04:45:40

A Pile of Old Crank

A friend recommended that I go to watch this film. He is no longer myfriend. Given the idea, this could have a great film if the writing hadbeen approached in a remotely adult manner. I would say that this isthe second worst film I have ever seen behind Rancid Aluminium. Itcertainly was the most purile, immature and shallow film I have everseen. Even Disney films and kid's cartoons contain meaningfulundertones, but this film is just shockingly mindless from start tofinish. Throughout the film I just wanted Jason Statham's character tohurry up and die so that I didn't have to waste any more of my lifewatching it.I am not offended by swearing of any sort, but the constant totallyunnecessary barrage of foul-mouth rubbish from most of the charactersbecame grating and very very boring after about 15 minutes, and didn'tlet up all the way through the film. A lot of the ideas and little'asides' seem to have been stolen from Pulp Fiction but used very badlyand with no style.The only slightly funny part that I can recall was when someone'sbudgie accidentally got shot, other than that, this film ain't worthspit.