Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer

Chev Chelios (Jason Statham, left) and Verona (José Pablo Cantillo) in 'Crank'. - Contributed

The flick Crank is essentially an extended string of running, jumping, kicking, shooting, chopping and mayhem with nary a well-designed plot in sight. But it's fun. It is a lot of fun.

The movie is written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor and they create a fast-paced testosterone-driven film. Like that unstoppable pink bunny, Crank just keeps going and going until the very last reel. It is very stylishly shot and is edited with the anxious intensity of a heavy metal video on steroids.

The flick stars Jason Statham as Chev Chelios, a professional hit man who finds himself at death's door after being given a 'Beijing Cocktail' which has given him just enough time to kill his killers and, hopefully, save himself. As the poison takes over his body, adrenaline is the only thing that can keep Chelios alive, which means he tries every stunt imaginable to keep himself going.

In between the massive level of mayhem which he delivers on the city, Chelios also has just enough time to say goodbye to his girlfriend Eve (played by Amy Smart). Eve appears to be a nice enough girl, but she is unfortunately very, very, very, very, very, blonde (and the reference is not to her hair colour).

Since the Guy Ritchie movies Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Statham has created a reputation of looking good when shrouded in a cape of violence. He continues his anti-hero stance with Crank and does what we expect him to - kick posteriors.

Transporter 3 in disguise

So Crank is essentially the same kind of over-the-top violence that has become associated with Statham films, especially Transporter 2. Indeed, with the pace at which it moves and the similarities between both characters Statham plays, one could easily be convinced that Crank is Transporter 3 in disguise.

The editing in Crank is very, very slick and keeps the action fast-paced and the energy level high so that it makes a great work for the adrenaline junkie. What also works well with Crank is that it is very light-hearted and fun so that it doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, which makes it even more enjoyable.

José Pablo Cantillo makes a fun villain as Verona, the man responsible for dosing Chelios. Verona may not fall among the mighty villains of the celluloid realm, but he is works well here. The flick also features a cadre of other actors with minor roles who add significantly to the fun, including Efren Ramirez and Edi Gathegi.

It's the kind of flick that is best enjoyed when you check your brain cells at the door, sit back with your popcorn or other favoured munchies and simply enjoy where this roller coaster ride takes you. Of course, if you forget to leave behind the above mentioned brain cells, don't worry. Crank is so much energetic fun, it will probably knock them right out of you.