Crank Get's The Shaft (Crank (DVD))

Member Name: utero

Product:	Crank (DVD)
Date:	30/10/08 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A Decent Premise

Disadvantages: Badly Written, Badly Directed, No Redeeming Qualities in Characters

Jason Statham seems to have developed a habit for making movies that should be direct to video yet the majority of them have received theatrical releases. Now I'm not averse to Mr Statham, after all he has roots in Norfolk and has done well for himself, not only that but he's managed to keep some cred while trying to sell kit kats.

That aside I can safely say that Crank is absolutely terrible in every way and that's despite having a plot which on paper actually sounds pretty good. Statham plays the absurdly named Chev Chelios, an English professional hitman in LA. After giving some crime lord the nark, he finds himself knocked out and injected with a Chinese cocktail of drugs. With his heart close to giving up his beat, Chev must keep his adrenaline up to keep alive. What ensues is about an hour of crash bang wallop car chases; gunplay and even what must go down as the most daft sex scene in the history of cinema.

The big problem I had with Crank is that it's been written and directed by two gentlemen who can't seem to shoot and edit a film competently. The way all the action is staged is incredibly annoying with every camera trick and jump cut thrown in to try and make it exciting. This kind of MTV style filmmaking doesn't sit well with me as it just shows a complete lack of understanding of cinema. Action can still be done well in this modern day, just look at the Bourne Films.

They also make the fatal mistake of making their main character very unlike able. Whether it's a sex scene that starts off as potential rape or threatening innocent people in a hospital with a gun, Chev doesn't do a single thing to redeem himself. This is a film that plays into the current video game culture where violence is cool but offers no reason or substance behind it.

Statham himself does his usual stuff, being gruff and throwing his weight around. I don't know if originally he was meant to be an American as in a couple of scenes I'm sure he's trying a yank accent. Amy Smart plays the love interest, her role is nothing special. Dwight Yoakham pops up as Chev's shady doctor on occasion and seems to be enjoying himself.

But ultimately I would say Crank is a pile of wan..... Yet amazingly I see they've already made a sequel where Chev's heart is replaced by a time bomb - yes that's right, his heart is replaced. The mind boggles.

- The DVD -

Ok the widescreen transfer is sharp and solid as you'd expect. The soundtrack is full of pumping music, thrills spills and surround sound bang.

- Extras -

I had this on a rental, all I received was a trailer to accompany the film. But then I ask myself if I'd want to subject myself to anything on the making of the film - probably not.

- Finally -

Crank is a really bad film made out of a decent premise.

Summary: A DTV actioner that wouldn't be out of place with D Lundgren on the cover