The Transporter Refueled

Seems reboots are becoming as prolific as sequels in Tinsel Town. If not more. Some, like Terminator Genysis and Star Trek, have managed to over-lap their original predecessors with a radical timeline change. Others are simply straight up with no relationship to their originals. And of course there are the “Fantastic Four” types where certain elements produce grave disappointment instead of rabid applause.
Jason Statham skillfully fought his way into our hearts as Frank Martin, the super tough and meticulously intelligent Transporter. It made him a bonafide action star, and set a standard, timbered by two sequels. Judging by Hollywood’s apparent obsession with making old things new again, it’s probably not surprising that some of the original creative crew decided on a restart with a new Frank Martin.
Ed Skrein, who will be appearing in next year’s “Deadpool”, takes over the reigns from Statham in the appropriately titled “The Transporter Refueled.” Not a bad choice either. No doubt Statham could still play the role, but Skrien maintains that savvy, suave, gentlemanly dangerous attitude and kinetically physical gravitas which made the character so appealing.
We open with a bit of a proverbial blast from the past. No, not the 50’s, but 1995. And in France, where a hostile takeover is taking place. Russian crime kingpin Arkady Karasov (Radivoje Bukvic) literally shoots his way into a red light district territory, forcing young girls into the oldest profes-sion in the world to make money for him. No such thing as “Womens’ Lib” here, as the female fledglings are lined up and strictly threatened if they get out of line. Physically or mentally.
Fast forward 15 years where we find one of those “girls”, Anna (Loan Chabanol) setting a meticulous plan in motion involving our boy Frank Martin, and his father played by a lightly bearded Ray Stevenson. She fol-lows the basics, calling Frank, requesting need of a “transporter”, and schedules an appointment to meet. When they do, Frank is all business. He painstakingly retains a professional air before this captivating client, not wanting his libido to get the better of him. During the short conversation, Frank lays down all the basic rules, and the deal is done. One passenger, two packages.
The Mediterranean Bank in South France is the assigned pick up point, where everything goes like clockwork as Anna emerges from the building and slides into Martin’s sleek black Audi S-8. That is,( in a clever wink to the first movie) until slight “problems” occur, when two other women, the two “packages”, stroll down the steps and get in. That’s it. Rules have been broken, and Frank demands to abort. He can’t. These clever femme fatales have kidnapped his dad. Now, he’s quite committed.
Franchise retreads are always interesting to watch, although some maybe well fatigued with them by now. We’re inherently drawn to them because of the anticipation that things will either be different, the same, or better than the genuine article. What makes The Transporter Refueled interesting is that everything is not what it seems.
Camille Delamarre, who directed the late Paul Walker in 2014’s Brick Mansions, packs plenty of the usual inherent craziness of car chases, show-casing Martin’s incredible talent for driving recklessly through the streets, seemingly without fetching as much as a dent on his car. An obvious credit to the trio of writers, including Luc Besson. Aptly enriched by cinematographer Christophe Collete’s handiwork of exotic French locations, Delamarre keeps his cast delightfully funny as well as sharply dramatic. Although, what the final box office tally is, will determine if we see Ed Skrein taking us for another thrill ride.