The Transporter

The Transporter ist ein wunderbares Beispiel für ein dummes Drehbuch, das in einer delikat effektvollen Form umgesetzt wurde. Bei einer Hollywood-Produktion rege ich mich normalerweise über so eine Kombination auf. In der französischen Darbietung mit der typischen französischen Leichtigkeit löst sie eine angenehme Entspannung aus. Die Einzigartigkeit des Films wird durch die unkonventionell genutzte Musik unterstützt. Und Jason Statham ist einfach toll. (26.04.2003)

Superbly shot action scenes, Jason Statham is a fine tough guy and he doesn't lack charisma. For such a small budget, it's a real ride and well above average in the genre. I wasn't expecting a deep story or, God forbid, a sophisticated plot, I was expecting a no-brainer, an action ride with a good portion of insight that I can turn myself off for an hour and a half without harm. That is exactly what I got and I am not ashamed of my high rating. (12.02.2003)

At first, it's a solid action movie and an ideal bit of enjoyment, but then it becomes a bit irritating due to the simplicity of the plot, dialogue, and attractive female protagonist. Jason Statham may be super macho, and the action is excellently filmed, and the oil fight with pedals on his feet is perfect, but sometimes it takes more than just sticking a few good ideas together. (27.01.2007)

Luc Besson sometimes has good ideas. In this case, he had a brilliant idea to make a film with Jason Statham. Jason is simply an action icon. Although The Transporter is one of his earlier action films, it showcases where his strength lies. He can be suave but can also deliver powerful hits. Moreover, his action scenes always feature great choreography. It's not quite Chinese mastery, but they are still good, fast, intense, and gritty. When bones break, you feel like they are really breaking. However, while praising Jason and the specialists in martial arts and choreography, I must also highlight the script. I know it’s not world-class, but in its simplicity, it works wonderfully. Imagine a guy you can call anytime you need something transported. I’m not talking about needing a truck driver but rather someone who can help you rob a bank or transport something the police should never find, etc. Such a person should be a specialist, and this transporter definitely is. He follows clearly defined rules, which are laid out right at the beginning in an excellent scene with robbers. But even a person who follows the rules sometimes breaks them. He is still only human. Naturally, when he breaks them, there must be some form of punishment or complication. And this is where the story unfolds. The transporter was supposed to transport a load in a sports bag. When he went to grab a spare in the trunk, he discovered that the bag was moving. The load turned out to be a person, a young Asian girl. He delivers her to her destination, but the paying client tries to blow him up. The transporter then has to seek revenge. The film has truly excellent scenes that nearly achieve cult status, but it’s primarily thanks to Statham, who dominates the film. When you look at the script a bit more broadly, you’ll find it’s nothing more than another Besson film. One strong hero, paired with a fragile woman. Léon was based on this, The Fifth Element essentially was too, and Unleashed combines a strong man with tenderness in a single character portrayed by Jet Li. Nonetheless, The Transporter is among the best action films Besson has written in the last decade. (02.03.2013)

An action romp that never gets old. The action is stylish, imaginative and, thanks to the short runtime, almost relentless, and Jason Statham gradually becomes as immortal in the eyes of the audience as Chuck Norris and Arnold put together. The story itself is terribly far-fetched, some of the dialogue is stilted and the script is made up of a thousand genre clichés, but somehow both directors managed to turn it into an almost action classic, which I personally had a great time with. I don’t really need to watch the sequel, though. (04.11.2012)