Insight As far as films go in the genre of 'action flicks', "The Transporter" is a pleasant surprise. Right from the opening scenes you know you're in for a fun time. "The Transporter" doesn't demand too much from audiences, just that you sit back and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it is. Jason Statham 'is' "The Transporter". Statham's on-screen debut came with the cult movie "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". His next appearance was with Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro in the gangster film "Snatch". More recently though his profile was lifted by co-starring with Jet Li in "The One" and then in another British production, "The Mean Machine". In "The Transporter", Statham takes the lead role as Frank Martin, ex-special forces operator now turned 'special delivery boy'. Statham certainly comes across well, revealing there is more to him than his martial arts abilities. His character is one of solitary dedication to two things, the job and enjoying the quiet life in between. His focus on the job has created a solitary lifestyle bordering on narcissism. There is no room for anything else but the job and the rules of the job. Franks harsh exterior and fixations are melted by co-star Shu Qi as Lai. Lai is the love interest, the catalyst for Frank to change. Shu Qi is a seasoned veteran who in just six years has made some 45 movies. That she is both beautiful and sexy is a bonus. Her talents have earned her an 'Asian Oscar', the prestigious Golden Horse Award. Whether apart or together both Statham and Qi make a great team on-screen. A big part of the excitement of "The Transporter" [and believe me there's plenty of that] is the bevy of action scenes including a high speed car chase, a fight in a garage where everyone gets 'oiled up' and a parachute stunt sequence involving a crop duster and a semi-trailer hauling a cargo ship container. Just terrific.
Like all good movies there are also good stories to be found off screen surrounding the production. Such as this one involving renown filmmaker Luc Besson ["La Femme Nikita' and "The Professional"]. Statham had long been a fan of the filmmaker. Stathams manager, Steve Chasman, had previously worked on "Kiss Of The Dragon" with Besson. He knew that Besson was the one who had discovered actress Natalie Portman and that the filmmaker had a good eye for talent. Besson agreed to a meeting with Statham and the rest is history. Besson was so impressed with Jason Statham that he agreed to write a script just to place Statham in a lead role. Besson called upon Robert Mark Kamen to co-write the script with him. It suited Kamen because as he said, "Jason has something most movie action heros lack: a human decency that comes through even though his character Frank, is as hard-boiled as they come." That certainly shows on screen, as I said, Frank has only had Frank to please, his life is run on strict rules, he needs a catalyst to bring out his softer side. The Story Former Special Forces operator Frank Martin [Jason Statham] lives by the rules. Well, at least three rules. Known as "The Transporter", Frank moves packages, special packages, the kind that you don't really want to know too much about. He has a reputation for efficiency and always delivers 'the goods'. All that will change after Frank takes on a job to deliver a package to a client known only as "Wall Street" [Matt Schulze]. Forced to stop because of a flat tyre, Frank discovers the package is moving. He's about to start breaking his rules and the first rule he breaks is, Never open the package. Frank discovers the package is a young chinese girl [Lai played by Shu Qi]. He will soon find himself in trouble, big trouble. Now he has much more to worry about, other than the local Police Inspector [Tarconi played by Francois Berleand] who has been sniffing around. "Wall Street" knows Frank has opened the package and he wants him out of the way. Permanently! With help from Inspector Tarconi Frank decides to fight back. After all, he broke the rules! His own rules! The Verdict "You want action? You've got it! So much action! So much fun! Damn ...this is so good. Sure it's pure fantasy but those who like their dose of escapism will find this very entertaining. So sit down, buckle up and hang on for the ride of your life with "The Transporter. "The Transporter", it's fresh, fast and furious!"

What The Critics Say "A poke in the adrenal gland." Michael O'Sullivan WASHINGTON POST "There's plenty to like here, especially for connoisseurs of the action genre." Andrew O'Hehir SALON.COM "The best movie Steven Seagal never made." Wesley Morris BOSTON GLOBE "A movie that, despite flaws, is so fun and thrilling that you sometimes can't believe what you're seeing." Kim Morgan OREGONIAN "When it comes to pure action, The Transporter delivers." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL "If there is one thing that this film excels at, it’s testosterone delivery." Danny Minton KBTV-NBC (BEAUMONT, TX) "What sets the film apart from other examples of Exploding Cinema is a combination of tone, inventiveness, cheekiness -- and Jason Statham." Ken Hanke MOUNTAIN XPRESS "Thankfully, it doesn't run out of action and, in British actor Jason Statham, has found an intriguing new action hero." Marshall Fine THE JOURNAL NEWS The Cast Jason Statham Qi Shu Matt Schulze François Berléand Ric Young Doug Rand Didier Saint Melin Tonio Descanvelle Laurent Desponds Matthieu Albertini Vincent Nemeth Jean-Yves Bilien Jean-Marie Paris Adrian Dearnell Alfred Lot Audrey Hamm Sebastien Migneau Laurent Jumeaucourt Christian Gazio Frederic Vallet Stefan Gudju Sandrine Rigaux Cameron Watson ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Frank Martin Lai Kwai Wall Street Tarconi Mr Kwai Leader Boss Thug 1 Thug 2 Thug 3 Pilot Little Thug Giant Thug Newscaster Cop 1 Secretary Wheel Man Young Thug Cop 2 Tractor Trailer Driver Tough 1 Wall Street Nurse Official The Production Team Directed by Corey Yuen Artistic Director Louis Leterrier Written by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen Film Editor Nicolas Trembasiewicz Cinematography by Pierre Morel Original Score by Stanley Clarke Run Time 94 minutes Rated M15+[AUST] Copyright©2002 - Twentieth Century Fox - All Rights Reserved

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