Jason Statham Returns in Transporter 2 2005 Film
Frank Martin has Relocated to Miami and is Driving for a Family
Oct 15, 2009
Transporter 2 is a 2005 French action film and is the first sequel to the 2002 film The Transporter. Jason Statham reprises his role as Frank Martin, and François Berléand also returns as Inspector Tarconi. The action has moved from France to the sun drenched streets of Miami and Statham is joined by fellow Lock, Stock cast member Jason Flemyng. Louis Leterrier returns to direct but this time he is given complete control rather than having to share directing responsibility with Corey Yuen.
The Transporter Returns
Frank Martin has left France and is taking a break from transporting suspicious packages by working as a chauffeur for the wealthy Billings family. Essentially he just takes the Billings’ son Jack (Hunter Clary) to and from school every day and has bonded with the boy during their journeys.
Frank is also expecting a visit from his friend French Inspector Tarconi who is coming to Miami for a holiday.
The quiet life that Frank has built for himself is abruptly shattered when a band of criminals attempt to inject Jack with a poison whilst he is visiting the doctor. Frank squares off against a psychotic woman named Lola (Kate Nauta) who seems to be attracted to him but thinks nothing of killing anyone her boyfriend Gianni (Alessandro Gassman) orders her to. Despite Frank’s efforts Jack is kidnapped and injected with a poison.
However, it turns out that Jack’s kidnapping is part of a much wider plot and Frank becomes a target for the Miami authorities, Lola and Gianni.
Exciting Sequel to a Solid Original
Transporter 2 follows a tried and tested formula. The plot is largely irrelevant and simply serves as an excuse for Statham to go from location to location kicking ass. As before there are many car chases, gun battles and fight sequences. Kate Nauta serves as not only the eye candy but also a vicious murderer and executioner who clearly enjoys killing.
As before François Berléand serves as the film’s comic relief. As the police close in on Frank they arrest Tarconi, who is staying in Frank’s house, and take him to the police station. Whilst there Frank makes contact with the Inspector who is able to distract the police with some fancy cooking, then sends Frank key information.
Regrettably as before there are a couple of rather large negative points. The first happens when a bomb is attached to the underside of Frank’s car when he meets some of the villains. He races away from the scene, perhaps to put enough distance between him and them so that the bomb is out of range? No. Maybe to build up some speed before jumping out of the vehicle? No. What he does defies belief and will leave the audience to mutter “yeah right, like that could happen”
The second downside comes during the final fight sequence when a very obvious CGI plane starts to fall from the sky. Gone are the days when miniature or radio controlled aircraft were used. Now, an increasing number of directors are relying on bad CGI effects which only serve to steal realism.
Transporter 2 has its flaws but generally it is an entertaining film, and like its predecessor, it is best enjoyed if the audience just sit back and watch without worrying about the plot.
8/10
Entertaining action film in which Statham once again proves that he is a solid action star
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