RANKING RIGHT NEAR THE TOP OF ANY REASONABLE MAN'S PRISON-WIFE LIST:

"Transporter 3": This action movie is packed with car chases and stylish fight scenes, but the real thrill is star Jason Statham. (Stephanie Zacharek, Nov. 26, 2008, Salon)

The "Transporter" movies -- all masterminded (though not directed) by kooky French filmmaker Luc Besson -- are considered by many to be a guilty pleasure, and maybe I'd feel that way, too, if I ever felt any guilt at the movies. (I don't.) I just love the "Transporter" movies period, for lots of reasons: For the shameless way in which they generally make no sense at all, for their smart, stylish physical-action sequences (always choreographed by Corey Yuen, who also directed the first movie in the franchise), for the car chases that, in addition to the usual visceral thrills, always have an aura of elegance about them.

But mostly I love the "Transporters" for the Transporter himself, Jason Statham. Statham, a former diving champ, isn't the first action star to prove himself a fine actor, period (Bruce Willis and Jet Li are just two who have gone before him). But with each successive "Transporter" movie -- including this latest one, "Transporter 3" -- Statham has moved closer to being the kind of actor who can carry any kind of vehicle, instead of just looking good behind the wheel of one.

Of all the "Transporter" pictures, "Transporter 3" may be the closest to a real movie, instead of just a fun, shiny toy.

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Posted by Orrin Judd at November 26, 2008 9:01 AM