Crank Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Poison in his veins. Vengeance in his heart.
There are a thousand ways to raise your adrenaline. Today, Chev Chelios will need every single one.
Was uns nicht umbringt, macht uns stark. (German Translation: What does not kill us, makes us stronger.)
"My name is Chev Chelios, and today is the day I die"
If his heart stops pumping adrenalin... It will be the day Chev Chelios dies
You Stop You Die
The hit-man Chev Chelios is poisoned by the criminal Verona and his friend and doctor Miles advises him that he must keep his adrenaline in an upper level to stay alive. Chev meets his girlfriend Eve and together he looks for Verona to kill him.
| Jason Statham | Chev Chelios |
| Amy Smart | Eve |
| Jose Pablo Cantillo | Verona |
| Efren Ramirez | Kaylo |
| Dwight Yoakam | Doc Miles |
| Carlos Sanz | Carlito |
| Reno Wilson | Orlando |
| Edi Gathegi | Haitian Cabbie |
| Glenn Howerton | Hospital Doctor |
| Jay Xcala | Alex |
| Keone Young | Don Kim |
| Valarie Rae Miller | Chocolate |
| Yousuf Azami | Arab Cabbie |
| Laurent Schwaar | Man in Garage |
| David Brown | Sin City Brother |
| Mark Neveldine |
7.10 out of 10 (68936 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Decent action flick but mind-numbing.
posted on 20 Aug 2009"Crank" (2006), directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, is a decent action flick starring "The Transporter" star Jason Statham as the lead character Chev Chelios, who has only one hour to live and must decide what to do in that time. An interesting premise for sure, the way it's done is very mind-numbing, mostly due to the MTV-style editing and visual effects. Because of this style, the story and script itself becomes unnoticeable, and your mind must be set on auto pilot while you are taken from scene after scene after scene. My advice: just go along for the ride, it's a thrill to be sure though afterwords you will be left wondering what exactly happened. A 6 out of 10.
The Crank Job
posted on 10 Aug 2009Jason Statham ("The Bank Job," "The Transporter") further solidifies his status as the new millennium's action hero in "Crank." In the film, directed by the team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, Statham plays a hit-man on his way out who is given an hour to live when he is injected by a deadly drug. In order to stay alive, he must keep moving, keeping the heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, which means he engages in many a crazy car chase, inhales pharmaceutical drugs, sky dives without a parachute and even finds time to make love to his dopey girlfriend (Amy Smart) in a scene that needs to be seen to be believed.Without a doubt, "Crank" is the definitive action movie for the X-Box and energy-drink generation. It's loud, it's fast and it's insane. Nothing is off-limits in the hour and a half the movie plays out in. Turning off many a critic, but no doubt stimulating the senses of its intended audience, "Crank" is a brilliantly directed, tightly paced film that exceeds any and all expectations. The action is not as crazy as you would expect, in fact, it's crazier, and just when you find yourself thinking: "They wouldn't do that, would they?" they in fact, do. As first time feature film directors, Neveldine and Taylor handle the action with natural ease, going for the jugular with each and every scene. The editing is fast and hyper, feeling a lot like a music video at times, but is appropriate for the material at hand. Fact is, this isn't meant to be an intelligent (although it's not dumb) or profound (but it is profoundly fun) film.The story is simple, straight and to the point. You get all major plot-points within ten minutes at the beginning of the film, and from there on out, it's non-stop action and insanity. Truth be told, "Crank" is just as much a video game experience as it is a movie, and you'll even find several subtle references to old-school gaming that help set the tone. While the film is admittedly over-the-top and afflicted with A.D.D., what you see is what you get, and those who want a high-voltage action film that never lets up and is never afraid to push the limits of good taste will find "Crank" a satisfying fix.
OK action, unnecessary scene
posted on 10 Aug 2009Its fun to watch an action movie. I've enjoyed Jason in his major movies yet the totally unnecessary sex scene in public totally left me cold. I don't care if it was his reality, it has no place in any public non-X rated showplace. The only thing it shows is the contempt the producers have for women and for their own personal issues. I've noticed that some of his other non-American movies also resort to the same type of disregard of dignity as is shown here. I guess the producers could have an alternate version on the DVD. I'm not sure how to label it but I can tell you my teenage son will not watch this or will I recommend any of Jason's movies to anyone.
Utterly inane but completely brilliant
posted on 08 Aug 2009How often is it that you leave the cinema having just seen a film thinking, 'That was simultaneously the worst and the best film I have ever seen'? I know there's a lot of movies that divide opinion on a national scale, but I never thought I would see a film that induced me into a state of Schizophrenia and leave me fighting an internal battle as to whether what I had just seen was completely imbecilic or genius at work. Alas, the outcome has yet to be decided.The plot of this film was fairly straightforward - Chev Chelios (Jason Statham - fantastic name for a character by the way!), a professional hit-man, has been injected with a lethal Chinese poison that sucks the adrenalin out of his system. If he doesn't stimulate his Adrenal Gland so that it compensates for this loss - HE WILL DIE! No, it's not a spoiler, this is actually the premise of a film. I've heard this concept compared with 'Speed' but with a human instead of a bus. That doesn't really do it justice. If it's going to be compared to the aforementioned film, it should really be said that this film is 'Speed' being injected with a sizable dose of Epinephrin followed by a generous session of defribulation (literally).This film does not stop moving. The plot is actually fairly decent, leading Chelios down avenues of ridiculous inconceivability, but at the same time fantastically entertaining, and at times, incredibly funny. 'That scene' in China town comes to mind.Furthermore, my state of confusion as to how to define this film is intensified by the stylistically unique direction. At first I thought it was going to be a fairly standard action film, with some not-so-interesting stylistic points, but I'm afraid not. This film is full of quirks - the subtitles for certain words and sentences, the appearances of supporting video clips in the character's surroundings, the exciting use of camera angles, the list goes on...But hold on...I did say that this film is inane, as well as brilliant. Why? It is just plain idiotic. Some of the things that happen are completely unbelievable, the characterization is fairly stereotypical, and the acting often wooden.Furthermore, the violence in this film is fairly gratuitous, but being of the de-sensitized MTV generation, this didn't really bother me. However, it does deserve its 18/R certificate, as the violence is unnecessary at times.However, all these bad points cannot detract that this film did exactly what the basis of all films should be - it entertained me. I left the cinema with a huge smile on my face, having realized that sometimes we shouldn't take life too seriously. This film is serious fun.Therefore, I am left with no choice but to give this film a near-perfect score, despite all its flaws, as I wish all films could inspire me to write a review of this nature, instead of slipping into the dregs of mediocrity. Well done Crank!
One of the stupidest movies I have ever seen
posted on 06 Aug 2009Someone save us from any more Jason Staitham films. Put this together with the 2 Transporter films and you have about 4 1/2 hours of the most unwatchable films in film history. I mean, what stupid junk are they going to try to sell us next? This guy has zero acting ability, so they just put him in movies where he can run around killing people. After watching Transporter and the sequel (my girlfriend rented it on night and I was too tired to argue about watching it), I thought that no writer could write something dumber than these. Then, I watched about 45 minutes of Crank and realized that I was SO wrong. Only the writing was worse than the acting. Can someone please tell me why Amy Smart gets movie roles? In this movie, she should have been billed as Amy Moron, not Smart. What an insult to all of womanhood to write or play a role like that. They should take the writers out and put them out of our misery. PLEASE...NO MORE!
Cranked
posted on 27 Jul 2009I went to see this movie with a friend (who had picked it), having never heard of Jason Statham, or anyone else in the picture. When it started the graphics and video-like aspects of it made me want to leave. But, once I watched a bit, I realized it is a cartoon, a sort of Road Runner in reverse, with Statham as a super-tough version of that wily bird.I can't remember titles, but the premise of the doomed poisoned man pursuing his killers has been done many times, as far back as the forties (maybe farther).Statham shines in this role, the competent and menacing killing machine with a soft side. That soft side is reserved for Eve (Amy Smart), his kooky flower child of a girlfriend. In the tradition of True Lies, Eve knows nothing of Chev's career as a top hit man, thinking him a video game salesman. While Ms. Smart is delectable in a way, her character throws a monkey-wrench in the gears of the movie's pacing for a bit. Chev has to keep his adrenaline level high to stay alive to pursue those who poisoned him, and in one scene the only way he can do it is to have public sex with Eve. This, to me, was the low point in the movie, although the theater I was in broke out in cheers! This flick is a visual treat with a super-let-down of an ending; just soooo dumb it almost ruins the whole movie. But, its a helluva ride!
one of the worst films i've ever seen
posted on 25 Jul 2009There is a scene in this movie where the main character needs a boost of adrenaline, so in the middle of chinatown, he starts ripping off his girlfriend's clothing. She yells "NO! NO!" and he continues to rape her. She eventually gives in, and starts liking having sex in public, so it turns out to be okay.There is another scene where he needs a boost of adrenaline, and the lead singer of Linkin Park tells him that he should snort tons of nasal spray. That it will make him high.I'm all about films that blur the line of good and bad. I'm all about films with characters that have questionable morality. But this film completely glorifies such horrible things with no sense of irony. It's told in the dumbest of ways, with quite possibly the worst looking cinematography I've seen in a mainstream movie, and editing that's not even worthy of mtv. There are people that cut quickly and do flashy things, but here the effects remind me of something that would be on that show blind date.All of this could be forgiven if the action was good. But really all the action consists of are people running around holding guns. And every once in a while there's a loud noise, with shaky camera work and quick cutting so you never quite understanding what's happening.It's just bad film-making, with even worse writing. And Jason Statham's such a great actor-- his performances in Snatch and Lock Stock are terrific. I can't imagine why he'd say yes to such a subpar script. And none of his fighting talents are really showcased here either. I mean, he rides a computer generated car sideways up an escalator. And every once in a while punches someone. But none of the grand choreography from the Transporter movies is even on display here.The filmmakers definitely have visual ideas. But none of them are actually there to tell the story, or even help in the mood. I mean, do we need to zoom in on a pigeon's chest to then go inside and watch it's heart beating? Not only is it poorly done, and the effect terrible; forget that it doesn't move the story forward--- if it's only intent is to "look cool" they completely failed at that (and somewhat rips off what the more brilliant visual stylist Joseph Kahn did in his brilliant and underrated Torque).If you'd like to see a smart film that actually has an agenda and is also edgy, rent Dan Minahan's "Series 7." It's brutal, uncompromising, and violent, but has one major thing that this film is lacking. Vision.
Boring and Dull. For people who are easily pleased.
posted on 25 Jul 2009Obviously this movie is for people who don't like a descent story line. Just a lot of fast paced inane action. They story line, if you can call it that, is very weak and very one dimensional. The characters were awful and the acting even worse. It was so unrealistic and so clichéd. I did not find the moving exciting or even mildly entertaining. I found the movie quite boring and dull. This is not to say most of the brain dead people out in will like it. So if you enjoy a lot crazy stunts and unbelievable action than this movie if for you. I would suggest you see The Departed.A much better film with excellent characters, actors, action and a great story line. If you like this movie you should be embarrassed to say so.
Great action film with some great laughs
posted on 19 Jul 2009Breaks a lot of rules of film making. Amazing fast paced camera work. Intense action yet there are a lot more laughs than Stratham movies usually have. All action fans and interest film students should see this film.Chev Chelios, played by Jason Stratham, is poisoned at the very beginning of the film with the Beijing Cocktail. He will die if his adrenaline isn't maxing out. This sets the course for his rampage of the city happening on the streets, in malls, in hospitals, in cars, on bikes. He does whatever it takes to keep the adrenaline going, so he can have his revenge. Amy Smart played her usual role as Chev's girlfriend. I really enjoyed the ending - stood out the from rest of the film in a smart way. I don't want to spoil that.
Jason's Best Work
posted on 15 Jul 2009First off, the movie is not a martial arts action movie. This is a chase and shoot action flick. So, heads up to the guys who are looking to see a martial arts flick.I'd have to say this is Jason's best work. Which is a pretty bold thing to say. He's been in a few crowd pleasers: Snatch and The Transporters. He doesn't show his athletic prowess like he does in his other work but he does show that he has tons of charisma. Having worked on Guy Ritchie films the dude has learned how to act. Adding that to his athletic ability, you have a bona fide movie star. Because of this movie I now look at him in a different light.The movie itself is about a guy named Chev who is poisoned and must keep his adrenaline/heart rate up to survive. The movie isn't just that simple, it has a couple side stories, but you don't really care about anything else, just his safety and the stunts he'll perform.The movie is one of the best action comedies I've ever seen. Personally I enjoyed the first half more than the second half, but overall the movie was a joy to watch, well worth the matinée price.The movie had everything a great action/comedy needs. Good acting from the leads, nice direction, great action, fun laughs, some sex, nudity and one big boner.
Another well done action movie
posted on 11 Jul 2009Yup, the movie contains more than the expectations. It is dynamic and speed in one time. Its great to be seen in your free time. It has humor and action - everything you want from a movie from that genre. I've read some comments about this movie and Im not agree that this is Trainspoting - continuation. Its different one. And the end is good. I love it - the movie is finished - no happy ending - great advertising for the poison in the blood of Chelios. Anyways I give it 6 of 10, because the movie is simple, clear and I don't have to think much. Totally clear and simple. But great. Nice action, great transitions between scenes, nice bloodbath, rude humor - just as i like.
Should have been called KRAP
posted on 07 Jul 2009Where to begin?Nothing fun about this one. Wish I had my 90 minutes back. Jokes were bad, and a potentially career ending performance by Amy Smart. Can't blame her though, crank is what I'm guessing the directors (or should I say camera operators) were doing when they made this. Yikes, a mess.Continuity was atrocious, huge story holes, stereotypes on top of worse stereotypes. Originality is nil. Please, please put the filmmakers in movie jail. It's scary that these folks are actually working on a sequel. I'll tell you everything you need to know about this movie in 1 sentence.It's as if you did crystal meth then watched DOA, racial expletives, bad sound effects, derivative, panic, hack, montage, seen-it, bang-bang-expletive, explosion, wish I were "snatch", explosion, expletive, derivative, end.
Surprisingly, Crank's not w**k (spoilers)
posted on 01 Jul 2009I should hate Crank. After all, it features hyperactive MTV-style direction, a ridiculous plot and bad acting by the ton. But instead I ended up enjoying it a great deal. It's a film that knows it's trash and just wants you to have a good time – plot and character are unimportant.The reason why the film succeeds so triumphantly is because of the film's wicked sense of humour. The central conceit – that a man is poisoned and has to keep moving to stay alive – is a just a vehicle to bring about a group of preposterous situations, all of which had me grinning like a loon.The scene that had me laughing hardest was when Chev (Jason Statham) chops a bad guy's hand off with a meat cleaver. Fair enough, that doesn't sound that funny in itself, but there's a genius bit where the guy, with a stump now for a hand, tries to punch Chev in the head. Chev moves and the guy's stump slams into the concrete floor with a meaty thud. Brilliant! And even better, Chev finally kills the guy by picking up his chopped off hand, which is still clutching a gun, and shoots him. Violence has never been so ingenious, or as funny.Another inventive piece of violence occurs when Chev goes to pick up his girlfriend at her apartment. Little does she know that some bad guys are on the way to kill her, but without her even realising – the phone rings and then later the contents of her handbag get thrown to the floor – Chev takes them out. It's a wonderful bit of comedy, kind of like something Buster Keaton would have done if he'd been into guns. The timing is perfect. And there's also a great bit where an old woman's budgie gets blown away as Chev is wrestling with a guy over a silenced handgun. If that doesn't make you laugh you're dead inside.You're also dead inside if you don't laugh at the idea of someone having to f*** to stay alive. Honestly, the public sex scene is a delight. Everything from the initial failure to get it up, the arse slapping and the triumphant moment when Chev takes his girlfriend from behind as everyone watches and as he cheers, 'I'm alive!' had me in stitches.I also liked the scene where Chev gets a blow-job in the middle of a car chase. It's no less silly than all the other stupid scenes where characters get the horn in action films and have sex in inappropriate places, but the difference here is that it's done with a nod and a wink. You know it's silly and the filmmakers know it's silly, but the complicity allows you to laugh along with the film rather than at it. And with lines like 'Jesus, you're so big' thrown in as Chev gets blown and kills people at the same time, you can't help but admire the filmmaker's insane commitment to producing a film that perpetually stays in the realms of bad taste.However, as funny as the chase scene is, there was a moment that made me cackle even harder. There's a bit where Chev, high on epinephrine, and clothed in a hospital gown, runs through town. He stumbles upon a news report concerning his antics, which is watched by a growing crowd. At first no one notices him, but then a man looks over, and then looks down, and because of the drugs Chev is on he's confronted by the fact that he has a massive boner. The glower that Statham gives the guy is perfect.Yet another scene that had me laughing my arse off: Chev is in a taxi and is slowly beginning to pass out. To wake himself up he gets the Arab cab driver to turn the radio up. Chev then starts head-banging to 'Achy-breaky heart'. And then after robbing a store and filling a bag full of energy drinks, he hurls the cabbie to the floor and shouts, 'Al-Qaeda'. Suddenly a bunch of old fogies leap on the poor guy and begin breaking limbs. Honestly, people who call this a dumb piece of crap are deaf and blind. This is one of the most inventive, witty and gleeful action films I've seen in years.But unfortunately most people seem to be blinded by the violence, sex and bad taste jokes. Plus there are numerous references to computer games – it owes a large debt to Grand Theft Auto, what with its frequent top down views of the city, cheesy graphics and characters who can survive masses of punishment and keep going. Therefore it's been tagged as empty-headed drivel. But instead it's a playful jab at action movie clichés and conceits whilst also acknowledging how fun they are. It's like Speed but without the po-faced attempts to build character and supply emotion. This film, what with its 'medicinal' coke snorting, public sex and gratuitous violence, is only interested in the gut. It wants to make you laugh and wants you to get caught up in the excitement. And for me it worked superbly. After all, any film that has a scene where a man shocks himself with a defibrillator to get out of a shootout and to keep his achy-breaky heart going, has got to have something going for it, hasn't it?
boom!
posted on 29 Jun 2009Wow! If you are a fan of Jason Statham movies then you'll love Crank. The first thing that came to mind as I watched the film was that it was the Transporter on crack or some type of amazingly good drug. I'm thrilled it actually has a 6.9 too because tons of great action movies on this site get the shaft, rating wise. Anyhow, the plot is quite simple and probably implausible (but who cares it's a freaking action movie). Statham as Chev Chelios has been poisoned and can only stay alive by keeping up his adrenaline. Due to this, the movie moves very rapidly with Statham doing whatever he can, from provoking fights to having sex in public, to keep up his heart rate. Statham, while at times appearing callous, is able to mix some quick wit into the energy seeking Chev as he pursues those responsible for poisoning him. So, if you're in the mood for an action-packed film with a small dose of drugs and sex on the side then I suggest you go out and watch Crank.
Jason Statham rocks!
posted on 25 Jun 2009Okay, so I'm a chick. And I maybe wouldn't have went to see this as my very first pick. But, my fiancé was dying to see it, and I am so glad I went! First of all, you will not be bored. This movie is only like an hour and a half long and it is non-stop action. It starts with Statham's character waking from a drug-induced sleep to find a video tape left for him by his druggers. They've injected him with a poison that should kill him within the hour. He consults his physician(played hysterically by Dwight Yoakam), who instructs him the only way to prolong his life at all is to keep his adrenaline flowing. Statham takes this advice to heart by driving cars through malls, having sex with his girlfriend in the middle of Chinatown, jumping fully clothed into a swimming pool, stealing drugs from a hospital, and cleaning out a convenience store of all it's Red Bull. If you want to see a fun movie, this is the one.
Cardiac Arrest
posted on 23 Jun 2009Non-stop action.Movie as video game.Total "adrenaline" rush.Movie toys with time: Hit-man eschews life of crime, only to be injected with lethal "Beijing Cocktail," which blocks the stimulatory effects of the adrenal gland, effectively stopping time. His only hope of survival is to physiologically accelerate time.Certain death breathes down his neck as he desperately scampers around L.A., seeking revenge, wrecking havoc.Fun. Stylish. Goofy. Absurd.The dialogue pops.The "NY Times" says, by way of put down, it's "nasty, brutish and short." Damn straight! Refreshingly honest, direct, unpretentious. Does exactly what it sets out to do.Lead Statham is perfectly cast, completely psycho. Dig Dwight Yoakum as the seedy doctor. Amy Smart is perfectly delish as the sweet blonde bim.Everyone walked out of the theater happy, as if they'd been to a wild party.
An excellent film for what it is, and Unapologetic for it!
posted on 21 Jun 2009This is one of the best films that isn't intended to be deep or life changing. It is what it is, and it is done extremely well. There aren't a lot of really "Fun" films out there any more a-la "Predator" "Running Man" and "The Die Hard films." No one could have played this better than the consistently good Jason Statham. He knows what he is good at, and he thrives in pretty much always delivering the goods. Now this film is unapologetic and it has a great ending. The basic setup is that we pretty much know and in real time how much time he has to live. This film must have been a blast to have been a part of, and all the stunts are top notch, and I love the fact the script is so tight and doesn't really waste any time with pointless dialog. I am pleased to see that slowly but surely Statham is growing his fan base and people are appreciating his talent. Now will he ever win an Oscar, probably not, are his films almost constantly fun and entertaining, absolutely! For anyone that wants to see a hardcore action flick that is pretty much the most action packed film with insane stunts and setups, watch it and enjoy it. This isn't a spoiler but one of the best scenes was with Amy Smart in the middle of a crowd with him doing something with her to keep his adrenaline up. It's not only funny, but just plain awesome, and something I imagine a lot of guys would like to try to spice up their love life, if you know what I mean. This is one of those films where you like to watch Statham do a lot, if not almost all of his own crazy cool stunts!
A LOT of fun!
posted on 19 Jun 2009Think of it as pure fun. An action movie about a guy who has to keep his adrenaline running to counter the effects of the Beijing Cocktail he's been given comes across the screen as steady direction lends very good pacing to this movie. Without that this movie would have been an absolute disaster.Jason Statham is not breaking any molds in this one, instead he sticks to being Jason Statham and fortunately that works very well for the story. There are some inventive camera tricks here and there that keep the movie visually interesting and at times humorous.Everybody sells their character well, and yes you'll probably feel like you've seen a similar movie before. Think along the lines of DOA meets Run Lola Run meets Transporter2 (yet done FAR better!) meets...well you get the idea.Not a lot of moralizing here, but there is a noble thread to the plot. The over-the-top quality of the action and story line make some things forgivable and lend to a higher sense of enjoyment out of this movie if you just let it take you for a ride.
A Blast!
posted on 19 Jun 2009This is not Oscar material. This is "leave your brain at the door and enjoy the ride" material. It doesn't take itself seriously - and has it's tongue in its cheek. I suggest you do the same. Crank has it all: violence, laughs, sex, violence, laughs, stunts, one liners, violence etc.The best scenes include the "Achy Breaky Heart" sequence, Chinatown, the hospital scene and watching the TV report in his hospital gown.Jason Statham is brilliant as the English hit man out to avenge his own impending death and he does so with style and grace. He is a revelation.This film does not take itself seriously. It's a roller-coaster. So get on!
Give a chance...
posted on 22 Aug 2009I am really confused about this film because I don't even know if I really liked it or if it was a waste of time. I think this is a kind of movie that many people would hate and many other people would love. But today, after watching it, i find myself in the middle! I say I really liked it because it is full of action, hilarious parts and the movie doesn't stop a second. I mean, you have to run with the film because it goes fast! In addition, it is a different action film with a different ending (unpredictable one) On the other hand, I say that maybe it was a waste of time because there were some unnecessary scenes...unnecessary! (for example: that one in Chinatown, I think it was kind of 'silly') So its an average film. If you want to see an action film, without expecting too much go and see it... that's why I say you have to give it chance.