The Transporter Refueled Review
RYAN: It’s the fourth in the Transporter franchise and the first without original star Jason Statham; in effect, it’s a reboot. But did this franchise really warrant a reboot? And without Jason? Are they trying to do what happened with the James Bond films where they pick it up with a new actor every now and then? Those are never considered reboots – they’re all just 007 cannon.
CAROLINE: This is an interesting theory you’re posturing here. How does it compare?
RYAN: Listen – in every way, Ed Skrein, who follows in Jason’s footsteps, exudes confidence and swagger and effortless suave. He is every bit the badass Jason was but because he’s younger it lacks edge. Look – he’s gorgeous to the point of bordering on pretty boy. You could swim in his eyes they’re so gorgeous. And when his shirt comes off, you’re like, “Who?!” But he lacks some grit and edge. That’s important.
CAROLINE: Who is he?
RYAN: He’s been in a few random movies, was on three episodes of TV’s Game of Thrones, and he’s English and he was a rapper before he began acting.
CAROLINE: So he’s basically the British Eminem.
RYAN: Precisely. I like him and he carries the movie but it’s not without major problems. I don’t do spoilers so I won’t be specific here, however, there are some very strong action and fight scenes, some decent amount of originality and creativity and effort. But what brings the whole project down is the script, and some of the acting.
CAROLINE: How so?
RYAN: It’s literally one of the sexiest casts ever on screen. But I fear that looks outweighed talent in the casting department. All the leads a fine to strong, even when working with lame or cheesy material. But the cheesy material coming out of the mouths of these gorgeous models who can’t act – it was preposterous. One in particular, has lines that are so Captain Obvious and she can’t act so you laugh at the movie then. That alone makes this not a must-see.
CAROLINE: Ouch.
RYAN: But there are other strengths. The cinematography and location – filming on the French Rivera is sublime. You want to go there. This movie takes you there. The location is another character because all of the color and architecture has so much beauty and art within it.
CAROLINE: I love that. And yes – when are we going?
RYAN: This made me think a little about the Indiana Jones movie with Sean Connery, the father/son theme, because a major subplot revolves around Frank and his father, played by Ray Stevenson who looks like the love child of Sean Connery and Russell Crowe.
CAROLINE: (laughs) Oh. I bet he’s attractive.
RYAN: Yes. And they women – the dresses in this movie… just great fashion. It’s not Sex and the City or The Man from U.N.C.L.E. levels but it’s terrific. And the mens fashion too – plus the sets and one other thing.
CAROLINE: The car?
RYAN: Yes! That is the car – giving the Batmobile a run for its money! Does some cool things but also plateaus. There is a strong carsploitation bent to this movie and it’s clearly influenced by the Fast & Furious movies.
CAROLINE: That’s not saying much, is it?
RYAN: It’s a cool, moody, techy film with fun action film that’s more than half cooked, but the parts that lack are cringeworthy. It’s not as good as the first Transporter.
