Transporter 3: Review By Kenneth Albert

The key to any successful film sequel is consistency. Without it they lose the unique qualities that made filmgoers like the first film and want to see the follow-up(s). The Transporter series is one of the few that have gotten progressively better with each installment because director Corey Yuen made the first a good action film and then director Louis Leterrier raised the insanity level with the second and though both films have their differences they do have one important consistent factor in common: they’re fun. With a particular formula now created director Olivier Megaton tries his luck with Transporter 3 hoping to overcome the 3rd installment jinx that has claimed many franchises (X-Men, Blade, Spider-man, to name a few).

Jason Statham reprises his role as transporter Frank Martin who his captured by Johnson, played by Robert Knepper (Prison Break) and forces him to deliver a package to Odessa, but for Frank things are never as easy as they seem, especially when the package comes along with a young woman (Natalya Rudakova) who is the key to a multinational corporation’s evil plot. To make matters worse, Frank’s life is threatened when he’s fitted with a mechanized bracelet and if he strays more than 75ft. from his car his life will end with a big bang. So once again, Frank has to fight-off the baddies, the competition, and brings the package to the location in one piece.

First off, if you’ve seen any of the 2 previous films you know that they’re not very realistic and the same goes for this film and that’s not bad thing. I’ve found that if a film can keep things entertaining some aspects can be farfetched and the film won’t stuffer, similar films like Shoot ‘Em Up and Crank use the same principles. Let’s face facts, it’s close to impossible that one could drive off a car off a bridge onto the roof of a passing train, and I’ve don’t mind watching something fun at the expense of reality. It all depends on the way a film is handled and Transporter 3 is a good example of using this concept correctly.

When watching a film like this you really are watching mainly for the action, so one shouldn’t worry too much if the acting is Oscar-worthy (not to say that all action films have poor acting) because what filmgoers are really looking for are great fight sequences, car chases and explosions, which Transporter 3 has all of the above. That’s not to say the acting is unimportant and Jason Statham has never failed to carry a film and it’s a nice surprise to have Robert Knepper portray a good villain figure, something the previous films failed to achieve. I even don’t mind newcomer Natalya Rudakova as a sexy but whiney partied-out woman and the side-plot her character brings.

I truly believe that Transporter series is a successful one with each film being better than the previous works. This is a really good film to watch if you’re looking for some fast-paced action and aren’t concerned about the ridiculousness. If it’s fun you’re craving, then fun you shall receive when you watch Transporter 3.