Inspired by the high-octane action film franchise produced by Luc Besson, Transporter: The Series attempts to bring the thrill of Frank Martin’s dangerous delivery world to the small screen. There’s a certain nostalgic charm, almost a deliberate throwback to the action television of the 1980s, in this Franco-Canadian production. The very concept of a TV adaptation of The Transporter, especially without the iconic Jason Statham in the driver’s seat, raises eyebrows. Stepping into the role of the highly skilled courier is British actor Chris Vance. While Vance possesses the physicality and looks the part in a sharp suit, he lacks the magnetic screen presence that made Statham a star. He handles the action sequences adequately and maintains his natural accent, but beyond that, the performance feels somewhat flat. However, perhaps stoic intensity and efficient dispatching of adversaries are precisely what the show demands from its lead. For those unfamiliar with the premise, Transporter: The Series follows Frank Martin (Vance), a freelance operative who transports sensitive and often perilous cargo, navigating deadly situations in each delivery. The series format offers a faster pace of adventures compared to the movies, with new missions unfolding weekly. The pilot episode, titled “Trojan Horsepower,” (its airing order varied across countries, highlighting the show’s somewhat disjointed nature), throws Frank into the world of eco-friendly automotive technology. He is tasked with delivering a revolutionary engine to a Paris motor show, along with the inventor’s attractive daughter, Trina. Naturally, things are far from simple as they are pursued by the henchmen of The Wolf, a hired killer aiming to sabotage the engine on behalf of rival automotive giants threatened by this innovation. What ensues is a series of car chases that, while present, may fail to ignite the excitement of seasoned car enthusiasts, coupled with performances from a largely European cast sometimes struggling with the English language delivery.
The fundamental plot of the episode could easily translate into a Transporter movie storyline, perhaps even a fourth installment in the film series. However, the crucial difference lies in the execution. In the movies, audiences are treated to the charisma of Jason Statham, extravagant stunts with multi-million dollar budgets, creatively violent fight choreography, and a certain degree of overt sex appeal. Transporter: The Series, in contrast, offers fleeting glimpses of nudity and action sequences that, while present, lack the cinematic scale and impact. A notable example is a scene where Vance attempts to prevent a car from falling off a bridge by standing on its edge – a scenario that feels more contrived than thrilling. The scene further loses credibility when Frank seemingly overlooks the obvious solution of having his larger companion, Dieter (Charly Hübner), add weight to the car’s rear to aid in the rescue.
Ultimately, Transporter: The Series was never intended to be a sophisticated drama, but it does fall short of delivering the high-octane thrills one expects from a franchise built on fast cars, intense fights, and a suave, albeit tongue-in-cheek, persona. Compared to other action series with strong production values, such as Strike Back, Transporter: The Series suffers in terms of choreography, cinematography, and location choices. There’s a pervasive sense of mediocrity that permeates the show. This is perhaps most evident in a climactic fight scene undermined by poorly dubbed, and frankly comical, shouts of encouragement from Frank’s sidekick, with lines like “Go on Frank! Very good, hit him! The shovel, Frank! Hit him! This is good!” Moments like these flirt with so-bad-it’s-good territory, but the series never fully embraces its inherent absurdity to achieve that level of unintentional entertainment.
Written by Steve Lightfoot / Directed by Brad Turner / 4 January 2012 / HBO Canada
