Crank

Revelation. A brilliantly crazy and absurd affair with divine action and tons of one-liners. Crank will make you laugh, charge you with energy, and not break a sweat while doing it. Jason Statham as Chev Chelios found his perfect role, and whether it revolves around his girlfriend or slimy villains, I can't believe what the script can come up with. And the wild action, taken to unimaginable extremes, is the reason why I recommended this little treat to even action-hungry viewers. It sent shivers down my spine, and I happily smiled that someone served me scenes on a silver platter that I've always wanted to see. The fact that Neveldine and Taylor clearly went crazy before shooting the second installment is a different story, albeit a very sad one even after many years. (03/11/2006)

I have to say that I liked this action. It's an excellent idea that has a good adrenaline drive. It's not perfect and it's not fully developed, it could be a bit rougher, but Jason simply has a talent that allows him to excel in any role. And this definitely suited him. Sometimes I should try the sequel as well. (10/03/2014)

I definitely wouldn't characterize this as an action film or the style of the future. Jason Statham is really tough, but his motherfuckin’ expression starts to get tiresome after about ten minutes into the film. The action is highly confusing, and when even the director realizes it, they throw in some squirting blood or severed limb. The camera filter could have been better chosen, and the furious pace is not nearly as devilish as they say. There’s lots of nonsense at every step, the police are depicted as a bunch of incompetent fools who are afraid to shoot (which looks quite different in the US), the bad guys are relatively laughable, so what does this pseudo-cool debut actually have going for it? At times there's a pleasant extravagance and the saying “good value for money” holds true, but it's often fake and not pretty. If this is the new trend of the future, then may God help us. An action hero should have some class and Chev Chelios doesn't have it. (04/06/2007)

I'll say right now that if it weren't for the phone ending, Crank would get a Boo! Why so ruthless, you ask? The film has a great idea, it's based on a really original idea (which is to be damn appreciated), but why on earth is it filmed in such a... Hmm... Neutered way? I like Statham, I trust him in badass roles, but I had a huge problem with him here. He kept one expression throughout the film that annoyed me to no end... The way he tried to look pissed off at all costs was awkward. Normally, I have nothing against vulgarity and violence, but it has to be appropriate and there has to be a reason for it. But there was no reason for 90% of all the shooting, fucking in the street, erections and the like. Crank is a B-movie that can't be denied its momentum and swing - it gets going at the beginning and stops after an hour and a half - but it's terribly empty and can (and did) get severely boring after half an hour. (08/04/2010)

Crank is an adrenaline rush like we haven’t seen in a long time. The action here is really non-stop and the ideas of the director duo Neveldine/Taylor know no bounds. All the elements they use in the film are maximized, and Jason Statham, in the role that suits him best, is a great powerhouse of the whole movie. In some places, however, the plot is exaggerated and illogical but it's worth it for the entertainment... The camera shakes, the sirens blare, and Chev Chelios settles his last bill. (31/10/2006)