Frank Martin is the best in the business. The ex-Special Forces operative hires himself out as a mercenary "transporter" who moves goods--human or otherwise. Very simple, he delivers, no questions asked. Frank has relocated from the French Mediterranean to Miami, Florida, where as a favor to a friend, Frank is driving for the wealthy Billings family. There's very little that can surprise The Transporter, but young Jack Billings has done just that; Frank has unexpectedly bonded with Jack, age 6, who he drives to and from school. But when Jack is kidnapped, Frank must use his battle-tested combat skills to retrieve the boy and thwart the kidnappers' master plan to release a virus that will kill anyone with whom it comes in contact. Written by
Plot Synopsis:
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Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has relocated from southern France to Miami, Florida. As a favor, he becomes a temporary chauffeur for the wealthy Billings family. The marriage of Jefferson (Matthew Modine) and Audrey Billings (Amber Valletta) is under great strain due to the demands of his high profile government job. Frank bonds with their son, Jack (Hunter Clary), whom he drives to and from elementary school in his new Audi A8 W12.[3] Later, a somewhat drunk Audrey shows up at Frank's home and tries to seduce him, but he tactfully sends her home.Frank prepares for the arrival of Inspector Tarconi (FranÃois Berléand), his detective friend from France, who has come to spend his holiday in Florida with Frank.When Frank takes Jack for a medical checkup, he realizes barely in time that impostors have killed and replaced the doctor and receptionist. A lengthy fight erupts between villains, led by Lola (Kate Nauta), and the unarmed Frank. Frank is able to escape with Jack, but just as they arrive at Jack's house, he receives a phone call informing him he and Jack are in the sights of a sniper capable of penetrating the car's bulletproof glass. Frank is forced to let Lola into the car; they speed away with Jack, shaking off many pursuing police cars.They arrive at a warehouse, where Frank meets Gianni (Alessandro Gassman), the ringleader of the operation. Frank is ordered to leave without Jack. He discovers an explosive attached to the car and succeeds in removing it prior to detonation. Jack is returned to his family after the payment of a ransom, but unknown to them and Frank, Jack has been injected with a deadly virus that will eventually kill anyone who the child breathes on.Suspected by everyone except Audrey of being one of the kidnappers, Frank tracks down one of the fake doctors, Dimitri (Jason Flemyng), with Tarconi's assistance. Frank pretends to infect Dimitri with the same virus, then lets him escape. Dimitri panics and hurries to a lab to get the cure killing Tipov, with Frank following behind. Frank kills Dimitri, but when Frank refuses to bargain with him, the doctor in charge of the lab hurls the only two vials containing the antidote out of the window into traffic. Frank manages to retrieve only one vial intact.Frank sneaks back into the Billings home and tells an already ailing Audrey what is happening. He uses the antidote on Jack. Meanwhile, a coughing Jefferson, the director of National Drug Control Policy, addresses the heads of many anti-drug organizations from around the world at a conference.Frank drives to the house of Gianni, who has decided to inject himself with the remaining supply of antidote as a precaution. After dispatching Gianni's many henchmen, Frank has the archvillain at gunpoint. Gianni explains that a Colombian drug cartel is paying him to get rid of its enemies, and that Frank cannot risk killing him, for his death would render the antidote unusable. Then an armed Lola shows up, leading to a Mexican standoff. Gianni leaves Lola to deal with Frank. Frank finally manages to kill her by kicking her into a wine rack with sharp metal points.Frank tracks Gianni, who is making an escape in his helicopter to a waiting jet. Using a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster from Gianni's garage, Frank speeds to the airport and boards Gianni's jet by driving onto the runway and climbing onto the jet's nose gear. Frank gets into the interior of the plane and confronts Gianni, who pulls a gun on him. When they wrestle for it, a round kills the pilot and the plane crashes into the ocean. Frank incapacitates Gianni by paralyzing him (rendering him immobile while preserving the antidote in his system), then pushes his captive and himself out of the sinking plane. Boats converge to pick them up.The Billings are given the antidote. When Frank visits them in the hospital, before entering their room, he sees them with Jack, who is joking with them. He silently walks back to his car, where Tarconi is waiting. He drops his friend at the airport. Alone, Frank receives a call from a man who needs a transporter.
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Zawalick from United States
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So many critics are already lining up to pick at the plot, the action scenes, and the details it's just sad.
This is an action movie with twists and turns, some believable, some not so. If you liked The Fifth Element, The Professional, Le Femme Nikita, and True Lies, this is your movie. If you grew up on Bond, Dukes, and Blade Runner, you'll love it.
Just relax, ignore all those physics lessons on momentum, dynamics, and forces, and enjoy.
If, on the other hand, you want to pay good money to sit in a theater and keep a mental list of all the problems, bs, bad lines, and so on, it's your life.
Personally, I adapt and enjoy.
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exntrc1 from Milwaukee, WI
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Shakespeare it isn't, but it's not for the plot that I watch the Transporter movies. The action is excellent and is even better if you are able to suspend your disbelief for an hour or so. There are a number of scenes that are so outrageous that you need to decide if you're going to buy in or get out. I bought in. There were also a couple of obvious blue screen moments and several stunts that were totally telegraphed, but otherwise fast and clever. The only disappointments for me were wardrobe related - he had too much stubble and wore way too many clothes. There was plenty of T&A for the guys but we waited in vain for the movie to give even a little something to the ladies... no such luck. In spite these minor failings, I highly recommend that you go along for the ride. I'll certainly be back again - Transporter 3 anyone?
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Mike (CapnMikel) from United States
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I'm just an average guy who wanted to see a film on a Friday night with a few friends. And thats just what this film turned out to be.
Now, i'm all for a good action film, but this was a little TO Hollywood for my book. I went in expecting a somewhat good time, and came out having one more or less. Let me explain.
If your wanted to see this for plot, and as a realistic high standard action film, your going to be VERY disappointed. The stunts though really cool looking, are virtually impossible to pull off -- realistically. The transporter was almost superman-like in a film that was based on a realistic present day world, and he pulled off things that SHOULD NOT and COULD NOT have happened. This is the negative side to the film, and really the plot was Mediocre at best.
** PLOT Spoiler** The whole virus idea is so overused at this point in time, and since they didn't expand on it enough until the end it didn't really matter. The ending however well, it looked rushed. Althougth, it became more and more like a James Bond film then a driving film with each scene.
Now , the positives: If you wanted to see a action film that would mildly entertain you on a Friday night, this is a great little flick. Sure it's not the best, and sure it's not the most realistic, but it was fun overall. Now I know there are a lot of people who won't see a movie just because the plot is really unrealistic -- But if your like me, it dosn't take much to be entertained. Just to be simply entertained, this was a good film. You get to see some cool action scenes, and while they are Hollywood style, and almost superhuman at points, they are still very much so enjoyable. The plot can keep you somewhat entertained, as well as the characters, however they arn't the best. The action is the glue in this case.
Overall - It's an average film. I'd say 5-6 out of 10. If you want to see an action movie with decent fighting and stunts, or have nothing better to do on a Friday night, give it a look.
If your looking for a film to keep you entertained and enrich you in a realistic plot with realistic events, pass this one.
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abahb1
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Just an all around fun romp at the movies. No new or complicated story here. We just get more of Frank kicking some serious tail. Implausible action sequences are forgiven with the wink of an eye from the director and actors. Some of the fastest action you will see that doesn't rely on wire-fu or CGI. Rather, we get a lot of the same from Frank and that is exactly what should be expected. I think in the modern era of the high concept action movies, they have forgotten how to just show the audience a good time. This movie and it's predecessor take us back to a time when action wasn't bogged down by complicated stories, rather the star's charisma and action were all that one needed to enjoy their time in the theater.
These movies have no lofty aspirations other than to give you one hell of a ride for an hour and a half. This outing delivers in spades.
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Simon Booth from UK
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TRANSPORTER 2 isn't going to win any awards for its story (whatever happened to Luc Besson anyway?), but for a fun action movie it's about as good as 2005 offered. Jason Statham reprises the role of Frank Martin, a driver with impressive skills in or out of his car. The 2nd film is at least as silly as the first, and not quite as corny in the script, making it a very entertaining way to pass 80 minutes.
Obviously the aim of the film is to capture some of the style of "Golden Era" Hong Kong action films, and Jason Statham does a great job with the help of Cory Yuen's choreography, which is very imaginative and clever (though he reuses a few ideas, e.g. the hosepipe from KISS OF THE DRAGON). Unfortunately the film is blighted by "Hollywood-Style" camera work and editing, which detracts from the choreography... westerners still haven't learnt how to shoot a fight scene as well as a Hong Kong crew (despite having 10x the budget available to do it)... too many closeups, shaky camera that goes against the movement of the action and editing which obscures rather than emphasises what's going on. I'd love to see the action scenes re-edited by one of HK's premier action film editors.
Still, small quibbles really since Hong Kong has pretty much stopped making action films this fun anyway, and TRANSPORTER 2 is still plentifully entertaining as it is :)
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ccthemovieman-1 from United States
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Held Great Promise, But Got Carried Away As with so many action movie sequels of today, filmmakers take what was successful and beat it to death on the second film. Usually it is the violence that is way overplayed and this film is a perfect example. The first movie, "The Transporter," had its share of action, but didn't cross the line and was very entertaining. This sequel gets ridiculous and insulting.
The first third of this movie is outstanding; the second third "fair" and the final third so ludicrous I kept looking at the clock to see how much time was left in the film. The latter got out of hand with one "Kill Bill"-type fight scene or car chase after another, each scene being less credible than the one before it. These filmmakers just don't know when enough is enough!
Once again, you have likable hero is Jason Startham as "Frank martin," the ex-Special Forces agent who is a now a "transporter." You have some wild-looking villains, especially in "Lola" (Kate Nauta ) who competes with Tammy Fae Baker n the makeup department (except this woman is hot) and you have an interesting story. There is just no restraint in it. Too bad because this film has a lot of style to it and held great promise in that first half hour
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crazyrabbits from Canada
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I'm sorry to say it, but this is one of the most ridiculous movies I have ever seen. The plot hardly makes any sense, the action scenes stretch the limits of plausibility, and the acting is pretty shoddy.
But I loved it.
I don't care whether it was implausible fun, but it was an enjoyable experience nonetheless. Yes, there are parts which are incredibly stupid, like the character of Frank Martin and the villain fighting on an out-of-control airplane, the silly things like having the French policeman from the first film being arrested and teaching the cadets at the police station how to make fine French cuisine(??), or the fact that there's this Jamaican guy that shows up out of nowhere at the end of the movie for comedic value(???), or the fact that you can spin a car in mid-air, have the bottom of the car hit a wrecking ball, which knocks off a remote-triggered bomb that blows up after dislodging, and land the car safely(????), or the fact that there are hardly any police to be found in the city...and so on. But, you'll probably enjoy this movie if you're a fan of the genre, and hey, it's always great to see Matthew Modine getting work.
Bottom Line: If you like fun, dumb action movies, you'll probably love this. I'd go see it as a matinee if I were you. The movie is less than 1 and a half hours long.
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Shawn Watson from The Penumbra
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The Transporter franchise suffers from some serious engine failure in this slickly produced sequel and only just makes it over the finishing line. The original had a thin premise and an anorexic plot but delivered brilliantly choreographed fight scenes and down-played gun violence.
For number 2 the action is relocated from the French Riviera to Miami, a city often featured in bad sequel movies (2 Fast 2 Furious, Bad Boys II, Police Academy 5). Frank Martin (a skin-headed, forever grimacing Jason Statham) no longer takes dodgy package from A to B, instead he's temping as a chauffeur for a wealthy family. But when the kid is snatched by stereotyped Columbian villain he springs back into action, kicking ass in his own special way.
It turns out that the kid has been injected with a deadly virus. And everyone he breathes on will catch it. And so on and so on. An interesting plot device that soon crumbles into a massive pile of plot holes.
The action doesn't have the same edge as it did before. I can appreciate far-fetched action films as long as they stay within relative distance of reality. Transporter 2 goes way beyond reality in well into stupidity, turning Frank Martin from delivery man into indestructible super-hero. After a while you'll realize this man can do anything and will always walk out of the worst scenario alive. It totally kills the excitement.
And as if the plot wasn't flimsy enough, the narrative just completely shatters and will leave you disorientated and lost among the brawling and battling. Characters come and go with no explanation, sub-plots are abandoned and the film is totally void of a denouement or climax. There's no satisfaction in the silly story being wrapped up.
All Transporter 2 really does is showcase a bunch of totally far-fetched fight scenes, while failing at everything else that could have made the film a contender. Even the relentlessly silly Danny the Dog did better than this.
Even though it's made by a European director and producer and funded with European money, something that gave the first such a unique feel, this feels an awful lot like a Hollywood trash flick. It's a shame the series had to stumble so soon. Since the end hints a third, one can only hope that Leterrier and Besson get their act together. What began as a series made in the style of Taxi, Ronin and Kiss of the Dragon has ended up tumbling into world where movies like Stealth and SWAT live. And that ain't good.
Oh, and I'm tired of hearing about the movie's so-called homo-eroticism. Like I just said, this film is made by Europeans who are not as homophobic as the rest of the world and see nothing wrong with a man visiting another man for a holiday. Frank Martin is not gay.
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Claudio Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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In Miami, the professional driver Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is working temporarily for the Billings family, transporting their son Jack (Hunter Clary) while his driver is on vacation. Mr. Billings (Matthew Modine) is an important member of the government and Mrs. Audrey Billings (Amber Valletta) trusts on Frank, who promises to protect the boy. When Jack is kidnapped by a mercenary hired by the Colombian cartels, Frank faces the criminals and the Miami police force trying to rescue the kid. When the boy returns to his family, Jack discloses the real and lethal intention of the abduction of Jack.
"Le Transporteur II" is a great action movie that certainly will never be indicated to an Oscar or discussed by intellectuals at a table in a bar, but very entertaining and recommended for fans of James Bond, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and movies with car chase and explosions. The story is full of adrenaline, funny most of the time, with very hilarious sequences. The performance of Matthew Modine and his grimaces is the negative point of this film. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Carga Explosiva 2" ("Explosive Cargo 2")
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Thomassweet from United Kingdom
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Firstly, this film is never going to win any awards, but who cares when it is this much fun? Jason Statham gives us a likable turn as Frank Martin, and the rest of the cast aren't bad either.
The plot is complete and utter nonsense but is interesting. The stunts are completely over the top, but great fun to watch and very inventive (watermelon boxing gloves!). The film never takes itself too seriously and remains tongue in cheek the whole way through. Yes, it's all silly implausible nonsense, but remains very entertaining silly nonsense. Worth a watch if you want a mindlessly fun action movie. If you want something more intelligent, you'll have to look elsewhere, but I've seen far stupider films than this.
SERIES TRADEMARK: When discovered at Frank's place, Tarconi uses the same excuse ("I'm the cook") that Lai gave to him in The Transporter (2002).
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This film is dedicated to the memory of Michael Stone who was director of photography and who died in an auto accident on 29 July 2005.
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Was originally supposed to have an R rating, but the studio demanded a PG-13 rating to attract a wider audience.
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Originally, it was unsure if there was going to be a sequel to The Transporter (2002). However, after strong DVD sales, it was quickly given the green light.
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Frank drives an Audi A8L W12 (W12 referring to the engine).
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Lola's signature automatic handguns are two modified Glock 18's with extended 32-round magazines, suppressors, and laser designators attached.
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SERIES TRADEMARK: The camera cuts away immediately just as Jason Statham inputs the security code for his car.
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The wristwatch that Frank is wearing is an Italian made watch (Swiss movement) named "Panerai" and is a "Luminor-Daylight" model. Jason Statham is known as a Panerai lover (owns several). The model used in The Transporter is a Panerai PAM74. The model used in The Transporter 2 is a Panerai Luminor Chrono Daylight PAM196 (44 mm) with custom strap.
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The song that Kate Nauta is playing in her headphones that she's dancing to is "Revolution", a song that she sung.
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The gun the girl uses in the opening scene is a Vektor CP1. The brand and type can be be read in slow-motion.
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The pistol used in the private jet towards the end is a Walther P99.
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All of the assault weapons featured are Heckler and Koch, with the exception of the M4 wielded by one of the swat operatives at Frank's house.
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Tarconi's ring tone is from a 1970s soft rock song called "I Go Crazy" by Paul Davis.
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Only Nokia mobile phones are seen. Among them, the phone used by Frank in the car is the 8910 model, which was discontinued at least a couple of years before the release of the film. The 8910 cannot be used in the United States because it only works on 900 and 1800 GSM bands. There are only two GSM bands in the US, 850 and 1900. The other phone (when Frank opens the glove box to reveal 2-3 more 8910's) is a Nokia 6620.
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In the trunk of Frank's Audi there is a chrome-plated SigSauer P226R and what appears to be a H&K G36K.
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The large knife in the trunk of the car is an Emerson Kandahar custom knife.
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Visa d'exploitation en France : #110985
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In the special features section on the DVD, the final fight scene between Frank and Lola is shown in an extended version. In it, when Lola is killed and is hanging on the spikes, she has blood running down her lower chest and abdomen in two places. There is also a tight shot that shows it coming out of her mouth. In the final version, there is absolutely no blood anywhere on her torso, and the scene is cut prior to the facial close-up. This was apparently done to keep the graphic violence factor down so the movie could retain its PG-13 rating.
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sequel|kidnapping|driver|french|police|miami florida|virus|driving|combat|former soldier|car|promise|chase|blood splatter|police shootout|hero kills a woman|vigilante|licking|police chase|tough girl|stylized violence|hospital fight|opening action scene|hero|british|desert eagle|glock|disarming someone|car thief|switchblade|mixed martial arts|garage|samurai sword|knife throwing|knife|ak 47|m 16|pistol|stick fight|kiss|doctor|hospital|one against many|sword fight|axe fight|dual wield|machine gun|fistfight|brawl|showdown|hand to hand combat|war veteran|foot chase|needle|bra and panties|action hero|special forces|kung fu|tough guy|coughing|jamaican|hero killing woman|violence|nipples|nipples visible through clothing|female rear nudity|blockbuster|one man army|kumdo|car accident|shoot|helicopter|explosion|underwater|taxi|robot|riddle|jet|jet ski|ipod|hypodermic|hummer|high speed|dumpster|computer|bomb|bomb squad|birthday party|stabbed in the neck|stabbed in the leg|shot to death|shot in the head|shot in the forehead|shot in the chest|shootout|police officer killed|pipe|paralysis|neck breaking|marriage problems|kicked in the face|impalement|hit in the crotch|fire hose|female nudity|exploding helicopter|death|crushed head|child in peril|blood|antidote|martial arts|katana sword|handcuffs|axe|villainess|pediatrician|husband wife relationship|hostage|dysfunctional marriage|car chase|
AKAs Titles:
Certifications:
Argentina:16 / Australia:M / Brazil:14 / Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Saskatchewan) / Canada:14A (Nova Scotia) / Canada:PG (Ontario) / Canada:13+ (Quebec) / Finland:K-15 / Germany:12 / Germany:16 (director's cut) / Hong Kong:IIB / Iceland:16 / Indonesia:Dewasa / Ireland:15A / Italy:T / Malaysia:18SG / Netherlands:12 / New Zealand:M / Norway:15 / Philippines:PG-13 / Portugal:M/12 / Singapore:NC-16 / Singapore:PG (cut) / South Korea:15 / Spain:18 / Sweden:11 / Taiwan:PG-12 / UK:15 / USA:PG-13 (cut version) / USA:R (original rating)