MOVIE | Crank

Now I don’t normally steal reviews off other sites, mainly because I like to do my own reviews, but I’ve been amped about Crank since I saw the trailer, and it just about bombed at the US box office for some unknown reason, but Tim Goernert has re-enforced my belief in this movie, so I’m gonna plug this baby for all it’s worth. Sadly there’s no New Zealand release date for Crank yet, but when I know I’ll be sure to let y’all know. Now read the review, fool!

PLOT | A hit man wakes up abruptly only to learn that he has been injected with a lethal poison that will kill him unless he keeps up his heart rate extremely high. While doing so, mayhem, chaos and a whole lot of whoop ass incurs on the punks that did this. It goes without saying, he takes it personally and revenge follows.

REVIEW | First off, I have no idea were Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor came from. I mean these guys came out of nowhere. But for first time directors, they did pretty damn great! This movie was a great ride from start to finish. It was stylish, inventive, didn’t hold anything back and, most importantly it was 100% pure adrenaline. It reminded me a lot like RUNNING SCARED with Paul Walker. Jason Statham's character wasn’t much of big stretch from most of the roles he plays, but it doesn’t matter cause it works for him. Ladies and gentlemen meet the new face of action! This guy does mostly all his own stunts. When you see him holding on for friggin life out of moving helicopter, that’s really him. You really get the sense he’s putting 110% in this movie. I dig that.

Amy Smart…CRACK BOOM this chick is a cuteypatudy! She plays Statham’s flakey/bohemian girlfriend. Wasn’t a big role, but man, that one scene in the China town street. Wow! Bravo Amy…bravo for having the guts to pull a scene like that off! I’m sure there are plenty of actresses who would have never considered doing a shot like that. (You have to go see it to know what I’m talking about.) Dwight Yoakam as an “Underground” doctor really worked and of course Efren Ramirez ”Vote for Pedro” fame (I had to write that) character was fun as a Party Kid thug. The villains are pretty one dimensional, but funny in a cool way. The evolution of the adrenaline rushes really worked as it was stepping it up a notch each time which in turn meant non-stop action! The Google satellite and the cleverly placed split screens were a nice touch, adding a rush/cool feel to the experience. The editing style was something I would like to see more of with action flicks. It was very Tony Scott, in the sense how the funky lighting colors, grainy look and the quick, well paced editing create the scenes. You can see where the directors may have gotten their influences, but at the same time they were able to make it their own.

I’m still on the fence about the ending. I would like to see a sequel, just see how they can take it to the next level with all the crazy ass stunts. I don’t know if this movie is going to be a blockbuster, not enough marketing in my opinion. But I’m quite confident it will be one of those cult classics that will be appreciated later on once it goes to DVD and word of mouth. If you do get the chance, go see it on the big screen to get the full experience of the film. It’s a no-brainer, action-packed flick and most importantly, Jason Statham kick ass!! I said it once before and I’ll say it again, “Ladies and gentlemen meet the new face of action”.

Source | JoBlo