Luc Besson, a prominent action director known for 1990s hits such as Leon and Nikita, transitioned to producing films in the early 21st century. One of his most successful productions was The Transporter, a 2002 action movie that catapulted Jason Statham into action stardom.
In The Transporter movie, Statham plays Frank Martin, a former military operative now working as a driver for hire in the scenic South of France. Frank operates under a strict code of three rules: never alter the deal, no names exchanged, and never open the package. However, during a routine job, Frank breaks the third rule and discovers a kidnapped Chinese woman, Lai (played by Shu Qi), bound and gagged in the back of his car. This discovery throws him into a dangerous conflict with American gangster Bettencourt (Matt Schulze), who wants Frank eliminated. To survive, Frank must team up with Lai and a local police detective, Inspector Tarconi (François Berléand), to bring down Bettencourt’s criminal enterprise.
The Transporter movie adopts a straightforward B-movie plot and injects it with a dynamic, MTV-style energy. The film’s main draw is its exhilarating action sequences, masterfully directed by Corey Yuen. Yuen infuses the movie with a playful blend of martial arts, intense gunfights, an axe battle, and the iconic oil fight scene. Visually, the film employs stylish techniques, such as dynamic gun-in-air shots and ground-level camera angles focusing on ejected magazine clips. While there are moments of less convincing CGI, the action primarily relies on impressive practical effects and stunt work, which are the highlights of the film. However, some action sequences suffer from excessive quick cuts. This rapid editing style occasionally makes the action difficult to follow, particularly noticeable in the bus fight scene, which feels overly compressed and edited too tightly. In contrast, the highway chase sequence stands out as a highlight due to its clearer visual storytelling, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the well-executed fights and gunplay.
The Transporter marked Statham’s first leading role outside of Guy Ritchie’s projects, providing him with a platform to showcase his action capabilities. His physique and martial arts skills were evident, and he began to display his signature dry wit. Despite these strengths, Statham’s portrayal was slightly hampered by an inconsistent American accent. Nevertheless, his inherent charisma and menacing screen presence effectively established Frank Martin as a compelling character. Statham also demonstrated strong on-screen chemistry with Shu Qi, who brought considerable charm to the role of Lai. Their interactions were surprisingly believable within the film’s heightened reality, contributing to the engaging dynamic of their unlikely partnership.
A notable weakness in The Transporter movie is the underdeveloped villain. Matt Schulze’s portrayal of Bettencourt leans more towards a party-loving individual than a ruthless and menacing crime boss. Schulze’s performance gives the character smug, almost frat-boy like qualities, which undermines his credibility as a serious threat. Furthermore, the film introduces a formidable character named Leon, who convincingly overpowers Frank in a fight. This setup suggests a potential showdown between Frank and Leon, but this anticipated confrontation never materializes, which is a disappointing narrative thread left unresolved.
Stanley Clarke’s musical score for The Transporter adopts a modern, techno-infused style, largely fitting the film’s energetic pace, especially during the high-octane action sequences towards the climax. The techno score, combined with the French Riviera setting, evokes a slight resemblance to The Bourne Identity. However, The Bourne Identity distinguishes itself as a more intellectually engaging thriller, focusing on complex espionage and intrigue.
Overall, The Transporter movie is a relentlessly paced action film that rarely pauses for breath. It delivers a series of well-crafted action sequences and effectively launched Jason Statham’s action movie persona. Ultimately, The Transporter is best enjoyed as a quintessential action movie, particularly appealing to devoted fans of Jason Statham and high-octane, no-nonsense action.
