Crank

Nice insanity, but not enough for four stars, it’s too tame for that. 7/10 (24/04/2009)

A visually overstuffed directorial debut that lacks a more distinctive narrative style and drowns its original theme in plagiarized action sequences that surprise no one. Statham is once again cool, but slowly but surely his single expression starts to become an awkward pose that becomes annoying towards the end. The film is pulled out of absolute mediocrity by a few wonderfully incorrect black-humor gems (the bird in the cage, sex by the mailbox), but why not admit it: (spoiler!) classic clips die just like the hero of the film - he tries his best, but he’s on his way underground just like everyone else. (28/11/2006)

Crank has a huge advantage in its frantic pace, thanks to which many flaws will whizz past you. It's a movie obviously tailored to Jason Statham, and although it's a debut, even for a small budget, the filmmakers really do amazing things within the ninety-minute running time. Everything is supposed to be terribly "cool"; but while sometimes it is really cool, it's often trying to be so "cool" that it's ridiculous. The creators definitely have great ideas (they probably (used to) play GTA quite a lot) and it’s clear that even within the B-movie category, there can still be originality. (12/01/2007)

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)

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)

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)

Let's imagine for a moment what it would be like if all of the climactic scenes of this film were based on the daily routine of an ordinary bald guy, like me. I would wake up in the morning, smash my only TV set to smithereens, then out of boredom steal five cars and one police motorcycle, ride around town in a hospital gown that doesn't cover everything, have sex with a beautiful girl in public (and get the applause of a group of Japanese, or more likely Roma in our country) and finally jump out of a helicopter and hastily call my mother to tell her not to worry, that God is still counting on me for the second episode (sorry, day). ... I know, it's a movie, and I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy something like that myself at some point in my life, but everything has its limits, which are sort of forgotten here – though in this case that's actually a good thing :) 65% (04/07/2011)

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)