The Transporter Refueled (2015)
Certified: 15
Duration: 96 minutes
Directed by: Camille Delamarre
Starring: Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson, Loan Chabanol, Gabriella Wright, Tatjana Pajkovic, Wenxia Yu, Radivoje Bukvic, Noémie Lenoir, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Lenn Kudrjawizki
KRS Releasing Ltd
The Transporter series was silly but enjoyable with Jason Statham. The sequel keeps the same vein with Ed Skrein doing the punching and kicking instead.
Being a huge Statham fan, I doubted whether the franchise that had invested so much in the actor’s style of delivery – totally no-nonsense and no sense of humour approach – could actually work without him.
But I came to realise that the franchise has its own fanbase, irrespective of the actor: the in-your-face style of action and the slick and cool moves. These factors were also present in the television show that starred Chris Vance and which spawned two other seasons.
Skrein, fresh from his stint on Game of Thrones, cinematically fits into his role perfectly, as he delivers his physical presence with the right force and aplomb. He does not have Statham’s wise-guy screen persona but he brings to the role different facets.
He plays Frank Martin, the driver who will carry out any job just as long as you stick to his three rules: never open the package he needs to deliver, never bring any changes to what has been agreed upon and no names being a strict policy.
The film also brings in Ray Stevenson as Frank Sr, whichmakes things a tad more personal, especially as this retired spy ends up getting kidnapped.
The film is meant to look cool and awesome
Frank has a new client: a lovely lady by the name of Anna (Loan Chabanol) whom Frank is to pick up outside a bank. When he turns up he picks up not only her but also two other girls, dressed like her and with similar wigs (Gabriella Wright and Wenxia Yu). He tries to get out of the job but to no avail, as he is held ransom due to his father being kidnapped and he becomes the driver on a spree of over-the-top action.
The girls turn out to be human slaves of an evil Eastern boss (Radivoje Bukvic), with the heists that are being carried out being the girls’ revenge on him.
The film is a roller-coaster of a ride. Under Camille Delamarre’s Luc Besson-like direction, the picture excels in going over the top and being as excessive as possible.
The Transporter Refueled does not worry much about making sense or maintaining coherency. It is all about fast cars and, if possible, even faster action as Delamarre’s editing pace is put to good use.
While the plot has a lot more of a personal tone to it, Skrein manages to do his best to keep things in Jackie Chan mode as he inflicts a healthy dose of body damage to all those who dare to face him. He also manages to keep a straight face throughout the dialogue, which is all in strict comic-book mode. This film is meant to look cool and awesome and it manages to do so successfully.
The sequel also has references aplenty to the Three Musketeers, with the three girls being portrayed in a really glitzy and sexy manner.
Cinematographer Christophe Collette gives the film a shiny, brand new look which makes the film even more of a comic-book-style trip.