Jason Statham red carpet pic.
Jason Statham is one of the few consistently working actors in mainstream cinema, pumping out mindless action spectacles on the big screen. From the cunning getaway driver in The Transporter to his latest role as a reclusive assassin running around Scotland from his former employer in Shelter, Statham’s movies echo the days of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Jackie Chan’s audience-pleasing martial arts programmers.
His collection of unforgettable characters ranges from professional killers and mercenaries to international spies, low-level con artists, and even a professional rescue diver. Yet, there’s only one role in Statham’s filmography that truly encapsulates his commitment to the action genre above all else: Chev Chelios from 2006’s Crank. As the debut film of directing duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, Crank was more than just another showcase of Statham’s on-screen persona. The chaotic MTV-style visuals complemented the star’s willingness to embody a character who was completely unhinged and reckless in his quest for both survival and revenge. The role of the high-adrenaline Chev was miles away from the professionalism of Transporter’s Frank Martin, as well as the various rugged badasses that Statham would portray in later years. Although reviews were mixed, with a 62% score on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, its popularity with Statham fans at the box office and on home video led to an even more chaotic sequel, Crank: High Voltage, in 2009. Not only did Statham make a memorable impression on moviegoers with Chev, but he also defined himself to stand apart from his genre peers. What Is 'Crank' About? Set in Los Angeles, Chev , a British hitman wanting to go straight, lets his latest target, Don Kim , slip away. Looking to eliminate the rival hitman, Ricky Verona and his men ambush Chev by injecting him with a synthetic drugthat could end his life if he loses adrenaline. Chev wakes up in his apartment to a recording by Ricky showing what he has done, and he is not a happy man. For the next several hours, Chev has to do everything humanly possible to keep his heart pumping at all costs. Whether he’s driving into a shopping mall like a madman, head-banging to metal music in a taxi, or having public sex with girlfriend Eve , Chev will stop at nothing to get revenge on Ricky. The question is whether he can get revenge before his heart gives out. The role of Chev lets Statham show more of his physical abilities, moving beyond his typical restrained characters. Previous roles such as The Transporter’s Frank Martin, Deckard Shaw in the Fast & Furious franchise, and Lee Christmas in The Expendables involve a strong code and coolness under pressure. Chev, by contrast, embraces chaos and desperation, much like a video game character.Jason Statham Never Slows Down in ‘Crank' Later Statham roles in The Beekeeper and A Working Man share the restrained action style associated with the John Wick franchise is well known for. While the characters have every reason to be angry at the world, they keep their anger internal and let their ability to kill do all the talking. Chev in Crank, however, is literally a wild animal from the very moment he is introduced. Everyone around him is seen as hostile, including the Triads, the doctors operating on him and Carlito’s henchmen. This allows Statham to be totally energized and engaged in a way few films have allowed him to be. The scene of Chev robbing a convenience store for energy drinks exemplifies how the race against the clock approach to Crank spares no time for Statham to have a quiet, reflective moment. He is constantly in motion and explosive on screen. Subscribe for newsletter coverage of Jason Statham's best roles Get deeper Statham insight when you subscribe to the newsletter: scene breakdowns, role comparisons, and action-cinema context that illuminate Crank, Chev Chelios, and other defining performances. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Statham may have done his share of films that either kept him focused on straight acting roles, as seen in his collaborations with Guy Ritchie, or had to hold his own opposite such legends as Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro. But the absurdity of the world created by Neveldine and Taylor in Crank rests entirely on Statham’s shoulders. Never once is Chev grounded to be humanized in a manner for audiences to connect with him. Instead, the connection comes from a primal place. Chev has a determination for vengeance. His fate is largely sealed due to the lack of a cure for the drug in his bloodstream. Yet, he knows if he’s going down, he’s taking everyone with him. That makes Chev more dangerous than any character Statham has ever played before or since. Crank, the film that best defines Jason Statham’s fearless approach and commitment to action roles, is streaming on Pluto TV in the US. Crank Like Follow Followed R Action Crime Thriller Release Date August 31, 2006 Runtime 88 minutes Director Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor Writers Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine Cast See All
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