Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Oh my word! There's a new hunka-hunka in town ladies. Be still my petty, shallow heart! This is pretty much a 3 star movie, but it's getting 4 stars from me on the sole strength of how hot Jason Statham is in jeans..with or without a shirt! Whadya mean I'm supposed to be reviewing a movie here? Yeesh..ok fine then...

The Transporter is billed as an action-packed never-a-dull-moment kinda movie. It has to do with Frank, a retired military guy who now transports things... all sorts of things...anything, really, as long as you have the cash and the exact specs. Once the deal is made, there is no changing the rules though, so be sure you get it right!

In the beginning of the movie, Frank is hired to transport 3 bank robbers from the crime scene. Four actually jump into the car. Instead of speeding away, our dear Frank argues the point of the original deal...and goes point by point as to why he will not take the fourth guy. All the while the cops are bearing down. (This is where you know this more than a guy's action movie. There are comedic undertones throughout the entire thing.) So they shoot one of the guys in the head and roll his happy ass out of the car.. the deal is now as agreed and the chase begins!

This movie is indeed action-packed. Numerous car chases and fight scenes are practically non-stop. You say you want to see explosions? This is your baby! I mean, this was directed by Corey Yuen, the man behind many of Jet Li's flicks..among others...The Enforcer, Dead Heat, Fist of Fury...53 all together. The man can choreograph some serious fighting!

Jason 'Oh Baby' Statham is Frank, a kinda laid-back yet structured kinda guy. He has rules he lives by and wants nothing but peace and quiet when he isn't working. A retired kinda special forces type guy, he can take care of himself. Now, Statham is drop dead gorgeous! Think of a taller and more polished Bruce Willis. Same wicked playful grin and sense of fun. Stratham can act too. He's very low key, never raises his voice.. he gets his point across through body language, and very effectively! He also does all of his own fights! Good looking, talented, and tough. *swoon* And oh yeah.. off the set he has the sexiest english accent!

He's been in several movies prior to this.. I haven't seen The One or Ghosts of Mars yet... but Snatch! How did I manage to miss this guy in that? Gonna have to watch that one again me thinks.... You have to see his performance in The Italian Job too. Spectacular.

Qi Shu is Lai, the female wrench in the calm ordered life of Frank. Frank was supposed to transport her somewhere, but broke one his own rules: Never look in the package. I don't guess he expected to find a cute little gal that would turn his world inside out.. heh. Shu has been in about 47 movies so I assume she's quite popular in Asia, but she didn't learn English until half-way thru the filming of this movie. Maybe we'll see more of her now...

Matt Schulze is Darren 'Wall Street' Bettencourt, Franks nemesis. A very, very not-nice guy! Schulze plays the role of a sleeze very well.. I did not like this dude one little bit! The term that comes to mind for this character is 'oily'. (you'll get that joke after you see the movie..heh) You may not recognize him, but he was Vince in The Fast and the Furious. He lost 40 pounds for his role in this. That's a pretty drastic change! I don't think I've ever been dedicated enough to anything to fast for like 14 days... *shudder* Gotta give him credit for determination!

François Berléand is Inspector Tarconi, the cop who knows exactly what Frank is up to, but plays along because he likes him and because Frank generally keeps things clean. The character of Tarconi kind of reminded me a bit of our own Columbo. It seems like you may be pulling one over on him, but you aren't. A very likable fella. Berléand is pretty major over in France, and it's easy to see why. The guy has immense fun with his role here, and brings a light-hearted touch to this acton movie.

The Transporter is filmed in the south of France so the scenery is just breathtaking! Gorgeous sweeping footage of car chases along the coast.. *sigh* Kudos to Pierre Morel for cinematography. Just beautifully shot!

This runs 92 min in the US version due to a few minutes of fight scenes removed to get a lower rating. Rated PG-13 for violent sequences and some sensuality. It's an action movie. There is violence. Duh. Although there is fighting throughout, it isn't overly done. You have to see it to get what I mean. As far as the sexuality, it is not a key focus of the movie in any way. One scene with Qi Shu in her panties. No biggie at all. Easily 13 up... younger if you ask me.

I'm tempted to go 5 stars on this. I do highly recommend it..but for an action movie, it just seems a bit slow at times. I caught myself filing my nails at a point or two. That tells me it's more like 3..but as I said.. Stratham bumps it back up to 4! At any rate, it's a very fun action flick that I think can be enjoyed by guys and gals alike. Go for it!




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older