Crank cranks out the hysterical action

July 9, 11:00 AMSan Jose Movie ExaminerDanny Derakhshan

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Photo: Crank poster

Chev Chelios is a hitman that doesn't want to be a hitman anymore. A hitman that just got poisoned and has to go through the streets of Los Angeles in heartracing action style to save his own life. The only way to keep the poison from killing Chev is if he keeps his adrenaline pumping by ways of sex, gang fighting, cocaine, energy drinks, etc. all the while saving his own life and his girlfriend, Eve, and finding a cure to the poison, if there is one.

For being labeled as an action movie, you'd be surprised at how much laughter you get out of this. Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington appears briefly talking about which drugs are the best to get speeded up. Dwight Yoakam has a few scenes as Doc Miles talking about drugs and how the body will react to them. Crank is a wild time because of the filled up action with tons of laughter because of the absurdity of the scenarios.

A couple of quirks about the movie: The script was supposedly written in 3 days. The film, though is action packed, does not contain one explosion. Google Earth is obviously seen being used for the photography of aerial shots, there is no information on the internet if Google paid for product placement or not.

Jason Statham is the quite popular action star here. He's been in a dozen or so action movies all within the last five years and he's not going anywhere. Amy Smart as the beautiful damsel in distress, and she plays her role softly and with innocence. Don't expect any Oscar nominations here but expect to have a blast and just enjoy the ride.