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'Transporter 2' puts the action in 'action movie'

By TOM HALLMAN
Cox News Service

Ask yourself one question before you see "Transporter 2." And answer truthfully. I'm listening.

How much action do you like in your action movies?

Because "Transporter 2" is 88 minutes of it. Wall-to-wall.

Twentieth Century Fox

'Transporter 2'

The verdict: Fast-paced, unapologetic escapism.

Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta, Kate Nauta, Matthew Modine
Run time: 88 minutes
Release date: September 2, 2005
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, sexual content, partial nudity and brief language.
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The only breaks in the car chases, boat chases, plane crashes, machine-gun fire, explosions and martial-arts fight scenes are occasional shots of Jason Statham's cool-as-ice stare or quick, matter-of-fact retorts.

Like that, and you like the movie.

Statham reprises his role from the original "Transporter" as former special-forces operative Frank Martin, who earns his keep as a driver carrying anything, anywhere for a price — no questions asked.

In this sequel he is hauling a wealthy family's young son (Hunter Clary) back and forth to school and birthday parties. When the child is kidnapped, Martin is the chief suspect. So he must evade the law while tracking down the kidnappers, rescuing the kid and foiling the villains' even more devious plans.

Sounds a little like "Man on Fire," huh? It is. Mix in a few parts of "2 Fast 2 Furious." One part Jackie Chan. Some effects from "The Matrix" movies. A little dry wit from Bond, James Bond. And some atmosphere a la "Miami Vice."

Stir these stolen devices together with liberal — OK, overflowing — action sequences and you get a gumptious gumbo, all held together by the Statham's steel expression.

Unlike Bond, Statham's character is more stoic than suave. And Statham can do more with a glance than most action heroes can do with lengthy dialogue. Which is good. Because there's not much in the way of dialogue in this movie anyway.

He matches wits with a suitably nasty bad guy (Alessandro Gassman). But the villain is overshadowed by his over-the-top mistress (Katie Nauta) — this despite the fact her psychopathic character is a retread of the bloodthirsty Xenia Onatopp from "Goldeneye."

For comic relief — which is much appreciated by this point — Francois Berleand is back as French policeman Tarconi. He seems perfectly at ease with the role — and with the understanding that his, like all the characters in this movie, is just a framework on which to hang the action.

There is absolutely nothing subtle about "Transporter 2." But if you like your action movies to be ACTION movies, this one is fast-paced, unapologetic escapism.