The Movie Press
  • Movie Reviews
  • Twitter News/Updates
  • News & Notes
  • DVD
  • Box Office Results
  • Contact
  • About Us

Caution: Crank operating at level 11.

4/20/2009

1 Comment

 

Watching Crank: High Voltage is like watching an experienced video gamer play a souped-up, extra-violent edition of Grand Theft Auto at an incredibly high level. Consider the similarities: Our beloved Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) is as indestructible as ever, only needing to recharge his artificial heart at occasional intervals, much the same way players pick up health. When charged, Chelios reacts with improved stamina and strength, as if he had just used a power up. He marches through the movie/game completing various side tasks and fighting easily defeated cronies while working towards the main goal of getting his heart back. Even the stylized transitions throughout the film can be seen as loading screens that pop up while the viewers wait for the next mission to roll out. When Chelios finally corners the man with is heart (aka the last boss), an epic battle ensues and the audience is treated to the requisite, story-satisfying cut scene that wraps up all the loose ends of the flimsy story. That said, I would buy this video game in an instant if I could. 


High Voltage begins with Chelios falling out of the helicopter from the original Crank. After crashing down, he isn’t on the pavement for more than two minutes before Chinese mobsters scrape him off with snow shovels so they can steal Chelios’ famous heart. Johnny Vang (Art Hsu) makes off with the heart and Chelios must track him down, which involves a lot of ass kicking, car chases and general intimidation, as well as phone calls to Doc Miles (Dwight Yoakam) for advice. Chelios meets up with his former girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart) and takes her on his escapades, using her to save his life in the same fashion he did in Crank (hint: it involves sex in a public place). More desperate for revenge than to save his own life, Chelios has no problem stooping so low as to stick a shotgun up a man’s butt to get the answers he needs. 

High Voltage is completely and unapologetically gratuitous. Writer/Directors Mark Neveldine and and Brian Taylor, who wrote and directed the first Crank, showed their expertise in recognizing what people liked from Crank and magnifying it. The result is a bevy of boobs and butts, curse words used in new and fashionable ways, crass, beautifully-cheesy jokes and unnecessary violence.  I’ve walked away from pornography feeling less filthy about what I’ve just witnessed.

Crank: High Voltage is not a good movie in any way shape or form — it is an awesomely bad movie. Fans headed to the theater know what they’re getting themselves into, and they will get far more than they bargained for. And as if you didn’t already know this, they left it open for another sequel.

--Mark Collins



1 Comment
kim link
9/2/2009 02:27:04 pm

what a show!!!!!!!! Its very amazing i wanted to watch it all the time......

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008

    Categories

    All
    Austin Film Festival
    Darcie Duttweiler Reviews
    Derrick Mitcham Reviews
    Eric Harrelson Reviews
    Eric Pulsifer Reviews
    Eric Pulsifer Reviews
    Fantastic Fest
    Greg Maclennan Reviews
    Greg Wilson Reviews
    Jessica Hixson Reviews
    Mark Collins Reviews
    Monte Monreal Reviews
    Reviews
    Rob Heidrick Reviews
    Rob Heidrick Reviews
    Sxsw

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.