Director:
Mark Neveldine

Cast:
Jason Statham
Amu Smart
Jose Pablo Centillo
Dwight Yoakam

Official URL:

http://www.crankfilm.com

Country: USA
Rating: R
Studio Name: Lion Gate Films
Running Time: 1 hr 23 mins
Release Date: September 1, 2006

Critics's Rating:
(1 1/2 out of 4 Reels) 

September 1, 2006

By Veronica Mixon

I am a big Jason Statham fan! So, let’s be clear. I was looking forward to Crank because Statham’s action films (The Italian Job and Transporter) are pure escapism for me. I can put my daily problems and anxieties aside for a short period and lose myself in adrenalin pumped action, car chases and action fights. So, imagine my disappointment as I sat through Crank.

Chev Chelios (Stratham) is a hit man who has been poisoned by his arch-enemy, Venrona (Jose Pablo-Centillo), a local Los Angeles thug. When his boss turns his back on Chev, he relies on his pal, Doc Miles (Dwight Yoakam) but he’s stuck in Las Vegas. Doc tells him that he must keep his adrenalin pumping to prolong his life. Since he’s dying, Chev tries to be honest with his girlfriend, Eve (Amy Smart), who doesn’t believe he’s a hit man. Chev runs, drives and speeds around L.A. trying to exact revenge. There are incredible shootouts. He actually cuts a man’s hand off, then picks up the hand, which is wrapped around a gun and kills the same man!

My disappoint surfaces because director Mark Neveldine’s film is incredibly misogynistic. One of the techniques Chev uses to keep his heart pumping is sex – screwing his girlfriend on a crowded city street while onlookers gasp and Chinese school girls applaud! Furthermore, Amy Smart, who is a beauty, places a ditzy girl without a clue. Several members of the audience that viewed the film with me were very put off by her dumb blonde routine. Amy Smart, please take note: if you keep this up, your career will quickly tank! I know that woman usually play a small, often insignificant role in action films. They are usually victims or act tough and inhuman like men. But, when Neveldine tries to pass off Chev's action as love by screwing a woman in public with her approval and applause, that's absolutely insulting to all women! Shame on you, Mark Neveldine!!

Crank had an intriguing idea, some memorable thugs including tough guy played by Statham but, the film’s adrenalin couldn’t be maintained! I hope Jason Statham also makes better choices in the future!

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