Transporter 2 (2005)

Jason Statham's clearly impressive fight moves -- and physique, when his shirt gets torn off, as it always does -- are again in superb evidence in Transporter 2. His biggest fight scene in the first Transporter movie was in a car garage where, in his use-whatever-is-at-hand style of martial arts, he lubed up his entire body then chock-walked on bicycle-pedal clips to gain the upper hand in footing and fighting. In Transporter 2, again in a garage, he famously wields a fire hose to take down more than a dozen bad guys. Yes, his fight scenes are choreographed but the best part is usually when he fights in close quarters and uses a shirt, jacket, post, or forearms as pinions of leverage against his opponent's own body. It's like a ballet of hurt. Jason is the Aussie answer to Jackie Chan -- less crane style, more big guns (fists and firearms). Jason as the taciturn Frank Martin takes on more opponents at one time but his premise remains the same: He is the consummate professional who will outdrive, outfight, and outpursue the baddest bad guys in order to save the life of the innocent -- in this case, the sweet son of a banking executive (Matthew Modine) who has been targeted for death by an arms dealer with a weaponized deadly serum. The oily arms dealer (Alessandro Gassman) keeps a sexy Shiva named Lola (Kate Nauta) who loves bustiers and slash-and-burn firefights; she's the best bad girl since Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) tried to (get on and) off James Bond (Pierce Brosnan). In a mild comic touchstone not unlike Dennis Miller's role in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Inspector Tarconi (François Berléand) reappears as a laconic French detective, with vacation plans that fizzle. Frank's friendship with the sardonic Frenchie shows a gentle philosophical side to male bonding that comes from world-weariness while possessing competence and an inner confidence. Frank's relationship with his pint-sized charge is also very special since he invests his full attention and affection in the boy; their riddle games are esp. poignant as is Frank's vigilance and protectiveness. Tight fights, tight editing, average scripting, and acceptable acting: Transporter 2 is as good as Transporter -- not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Smith or Shooting Aces -- and I like it even better. Yes, it's over-the-top with stunts and testosterone like Die Hard Live Free; what's wrong with that? Pass the popcorn and enjoy! 4.5 stars.