Movie Review: The Transporter (2002)

Dumb action movies might be one of the few "genres" where sequels are often better than the originals. I prefer Transporter 2, certainly (more on this later), but the first Transporter is fun as well. Though it lacks the virtuosity and unabashed gusto of its successor, its premise is fittingly, and intelligently, facile: Jason Statham plays getaway driver Frank Martin, a precise and rulebound man who maneuvers his clients out of sticky situations. His detachment from his employers' criminal activities is ruined when, on a routine assignment, he opens up his truck and finds a beautiful young lady. I know, quel coincidence! Of course, the usually unflappable Statham is immediately smitten, and like that, he decides to break his rules so he can unleash many martial arts on the parties responsible for her kidnapping. This premise works well and gives the filmmakers room to invent many fights, tailored to suit Statham's character, which, in terms of fighting style, is more Jet Li than Jackie Chan, more brutal and adult than slapstick. The fight scenes are memorable, truly, in particular Statham's encounter with a band of thugs on a bus and one bout conducted while covered in gasoline. Additionally, The Transporter begins with a wonderfully slick and inventive car chase that is worlds better than anything from the execrable Fast and Furious series. Some gaping plot holes spoil the fun somewhat, but so what, Statham seems to say, some beatdowns don't need to be sanctioned by realism. And though Transporter 2 would really let it go, this one starts things off admirably, and ridiculously, enough.