Crank

D.O.A. meets The Transporter via Speed in this snazzy but utterly brainless piece of testosterone moviemaking, the cinematic equivalent of a fast-food meal with thousands of calories but precious little nutrition. Filmmakers (Mark) Neveldine and (Brian) Taylor's Crank stars Jason Statham as Chev Chelios, a poisoned man who is desperately trying to track down the perpetrator—and perhaps an antidote—before succumbing. The high-concept hook here is that the poison will kill him instantly unless he keeps his adrenaline level up through nonstop action or injections of pharmaceuticals. Crank starts at a sprint and then revs up with a succession of slam-bang action sequences—shootouts, chases, fistfights—that are complemented, if that's the right word, with a few scenes in which our hero gets it on with his dippy girlfriend (another way of keeping up that all-important adrenaline rush). One high-speed sequence follows another, and the film serves up plenty of blood, gore, and even mutilation to satisfy the most sanguinary viewer. Unfortunately, however, none of the characters are sympathetic, including the “hero,” a mob hitman who shoves aside those who get in his way, wrecks property with reckless abandon, and demonstrates a willingness to sacrifice even “friends” to serve his own purposes. You just don't care whether this guy lives or dies, so apart from the film's empty thrills Crank has little to offer. Optional. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include a “family-friendly” audio option that removes the bad language but retains all of the violence, sex, nudity, and drug use (!); a “Crank'd Out Mode” which allows you to watch the film with a running commentary (by cast and crew, including filmmakers Neveldine and Taylor and costar Efren Ramirez) as well as behind-the-scenes footage and production segments appearing throughout; the music video “Adrenalina” performed by David Rolas; and trailers. Bottom line: a fine (if somewhat weird) extras package for a high octane/no brains action flick.] (F. Swietek)