RATING:
PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content, and drug material
GENRE:
Action, Crime
RELEASE:
Nov. 26, 2008
STARRING:
Jason Statham, Natalya Rudakova, Francois Berleand, Robert Knepper
DIRECTOR:
Olivier Megaton
DISTRIBUTOR:
Lionsgate
Please Note
In providing movie reviews on our site, CBN.com is not endorsing or recommending films we review. Our goal is to provide Christians with information about the latest movies, both the good and the bad, so that our readers may make an informed decision as to whether or not films are appropriate for them and their families.
MOVIE REVIEW
Transporter 3
By Hannah Goodwyn
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com
- Our favorite special delivery man with his sleek, black Audi and mad fighting skills is back in Transporter 3. This time, he’s transporting an important package unwillingly. They’ve got a bomb strapped to his wrist; so if he steps outside a certain radius from his car, ka-boom!
The Movie in a Minute
Frank Martin's new mission is to transport Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of a high-ranking official in the Ukrainian government, to Odessa -- or they both will die. As a means of persuading Frank to become the "transporter" once more, his "boss" straps bombs to their wrists that will detonate if they don’t comply. From one potentially fatal situation to another, Frank must figure out a way to finish the job.
What it Delivers
Although this movie isn’t going to be recognized for its cinematic achievement, it may come away with an honor from the Taurus World Stunt Awards (past winners: Casino Royale, Pearl Harbor, and The Bourne Supremacy just to name a few). The intricately choreographed hand-to-hand combat sequences and precise maneuvering at high speeds during the car chase scenes are phenomenal. Kudos to lead actor Jason Statham and the entire stunt team for making the theater-sized action look almost real.
The Movie’s Many Flaws
Transporter 3 bombs for three reasons: excessive violence, poor acting, and a weak script.
Excessive Violence. The laissez-faire attitude about killing is just too much. Statham’s role has developed into the kind of character that fights first, asks questions later. The story sets him up that way. Since this movie is focused on the criminal world, one can expect the occasional killing (the bad guys should never win, so someone’s got to meet his end). However, the level this and other movies go to is unnecessary for quality storytelling or to get moviegoers to buy tickets.
The violence in Transporter 3 is graphic when the arm of one of the “bad” guys is taken off. Statham’s character side swipes him with his car in an attempt to escape harm. Also, the movie includes a few shootings, including one execution shot to the head.
Poor Acting. Natalya Rudakova, who plays the lead actress in the movie, delivers a poor performance. She fits the mold of what actresses are expected to look and act like in action movies, which is disappointing and annoying at times. Perhaps it wasn’t all her fault.
A Lacking Script. The worst part of the movie is the story itself. It’s un-engaging and became even laughable at times (when humor was not the desired response). For some reason, Luc Besson, the series’ screenwriter, decided to put a scene in the movie when Valentina demands that Statham’s character, Frank, strip tease for her. According to the script, he has to or she will not give him back his car keys. After kicking everybody’s butts a few minutes earlier, he has to appease her wish to get back on the road? Yeah right. Then after the two have sex, they share a sappy moment on a hillside.
At the end of the movie, the two share a “touching” moment as the cloud of smoke settles.
Valentina: Am I in Heaven?
Frank: More like we’re in Hell.
Valentina: I don’t care as long as we’re there together.
(May not be word for word; text copied while watching the film)
OK, what? That’s completely corny and ruined what was supposed to be a memorable scene.
In the movie, Valentina pulled up her dress and urinated in the middle of a convenient store during a drug-induced moment. Drugs can make you do stupid things, but come on! Through most of the movie, she keeps bringing up her favorite dishes from local restaurants. These lines messed with the flow of conversation and didn't add anything to the story.
One of the stunt elements used in the film was a little too unbelievable. At one point, Frank drives his car off of the top of a stopped train into the back of another train car that is leaving him behind. How could a car, even if it is an Audi, push through the steel of a train car and land in the seat aisle practically un-phased?
Transporter 3 offers no redeeming qualities for moviegoers; even devoted Transporter fans will be disappointed.
 Hannah Goodwyn serves as a producer for LivingTheLife.com and CBN.com. She also writes regularly for these sites. For more articles and information, visit Hannah's bio page.
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