The Transporter

Adrenaline-fueled and mirthfully over-the-top, this is the kind of action movie that winks at the audience in a "we know this is stupid, just have fun" way that big, dumb stunts-and-guns summer blockbuster films like XXX are sorely lacking. Tough, buff, scruffy but tongue-in-cheek Jason Statham (Snatch, The One) sports a cool jerk smirk as an ex-Special Forces operative who makes his living transporting anything and everything, "no questions asked." But when he breaks his own rule and "opens the package" during a delivery--only to discover a kidnapped cutie from Hong Kong (talented knockout Shu Qi)--his Euro-trash clients (in cahoots with the girl's immigrant-smuggling father) are soon trying to kill them both, with amusing, absurdly amplified ka-pow and kung-fu results. Entertainingly exaggerated popcorn-chomping action camp ensues, including whiplash-inducing car chases and wow-packed fight scenes, like the one in a bus yard where motor oil has been spilled, making henchmen lose their footing while Statham (oiled up and too slippery to tackle or grasp) rips the toe-clip pedals off a bicycle in order to gain traction--and the ass-kicking advantage. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary by star Jason Statham and producer Steve Chasman, a 12-minute making-of featurette, three extended fight sequences with optional commentary by Statham, Chasman and co-director Corey Yuen, and a trailer. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid popcorn flick.] (R. Blackwelder)[DVD Review--Aug. 23, 2005--Fox, 92 min., PG-13, $19.98--Making its second appearance on DVD, 2002's The Transporter: Special Delivery Edition features the widescreen version only (unlike both versions on the initial DVD release), but the same DVD extras as earlier with the following differences: the original featurette has been replaced by a longer behind-the-scenes featurette (35 min.), and the disc also includes a storyboard to film comparison (6 min.), and a sneak peek at the Transporter 2 (12 min.). Bottom line: not so much different from the original--and the whole point of this edition is to hype the sequel--this is recommended for those who don't already have the original DVD release.]