Transporter 3 (Review)

Transporter has become another iconic action flick series with actor Jason Statham taking the up role of ex-commando turned transporter Frank Martin again in this ‘threequel’.

Frank (Jason) is now retired in Marseilles. But when a mysterious car crashes into his hut, he is drawn into a ‘game’ involving climate change and toxic waste. Industrial groups have hired Johnson (Knepper) to ‘persuade’ the green-activist Ukrainian minister to sign a deal that would allow dumping tonnes of industrial waste into the sea.

As Frank takes the driver seat with the minister’s kidnapped daughter Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) beside him, they criss-cross Europe until they reach Odessa where Johnson suddenly decides to terminate his deal with Frank. The plot never really explains but it’s simple enough to grab it when you are made to wear bracelets that will explode if you go too far away from the car that you ride.

Good things first. The direction is excellent with believable sets, right amount of wit and beautiful car chase scenes. Hate him or love him, Jason as an action hero can surely deliver stylish punches and kicks that spell broken ribs. First he uses his coat, tie and then pure muscles; all of which become the trademark of this film.

Nataliya is not too hot but her freckled face and irritating acts tell us that we are seeing the real Ukrainian lady.

Now to the bad things. The original character of the Transporter was more of a macho action thriller but this film has given Transporter a more feminine touch. No one can blame Jason or the director for the love angle to seep in especially when you now have James Bond falling in love! The scene in which Valentina forces Frank to strip is absolutely inexcusable. It is watchable for it’s sensible no-nonsense stylish action scenes besides the smashing editing which sometimes may be too fast for some.
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English (U/A)
Cast: Jason Statham, Natalya Rudakova
Director: Olivier Megaton