Review of Crank: High Voltage (2009) by Ryan M — 21 Nov 2010

7.8/10.

If you liked "Crank", then here's some good news: they made a sequel. But if you were one of those many critical grouches that didn't like "Crank", then they've made another sequel that's bound to piss you off. Luckily, I liked the first "Crank" and on the contrary, I liked "Crank: High Voltage" even more. "High Voltage" isn't much better than the first film, although it does have a few more crazy-ass tricks up its sleeve. I can't really say it differs much from the original, given that it has just about all the same positive and negative attributes, although it's slightly longer and manages to deliver the goods. You know what, I say it's one of the most simply entertaining films of 2009; a real action movie blast. It will not appeal to everyone, but then again neither will did "Crank". Still, that didn't stop Neveldine and Taylor from delivering the goods to their fans, one of which might as well be me. I do not love "Crank"; I will never love "Crank". There is absolutely nothing they can do to this series to make it art and still make it good. I imagine that if they even tried, it would be more flawed than it already is. So why suck the fun out of a perfectly wild movie? This is popcorn-movie heaven; a crazy example of how to have fun with filmmaking. This is not art, but it is more of what "Crank" was; dumb fun. There's an endearing silliness beneath the heart of this film, and it beats with passion. The plot is still nothing special, but it leaves off from the original nicely enough. It answers some questions and then leaves us with others. But then again, I do not like "Crank" for its plot. Why would I? After all, it's meant to be funny, crazy, whacky, somewhat perverted, and overall one of the best guilty pleasures out there. I can't say that being perverted and a "guilty pleasure" are selling points for me personally, although with so much mayhem going on, you can't help but jump in to the fun. All I know is that "High Voltage" kept me consistently entertained and made me laugh the hardest I have in a long time.

At the end of "Crank", we remember Chev Chelios falling to his unfortunate demise. He is thought to be dead by just about everyone. In the beginning of "High Voltage", it is revealed that he has been picked up by some Chinese guys who harvest his heart. They replace his beating beauty with an artificial one which runs on battery power. If it is to run out, then Chev has but one hour to live. Sound kind of familiar? Yes, but not in the way that you would think. In "Crank", Chev had approximately an hour and an hour only to complete his task. In "High Voltage", he can keep alive for longer due to the overwhelming amounts of electrical outlets scattered around him. If there are none, then he's simply got to do stuff like....oh, I don't know: molest a grandma. The whole film has Chev Chelios doing what he essentially did for the entirety of the first film: run around and kick some foreign or not so foreign ass. "Crank: High Voltage" does advance the story of "Crank" quite a bit, even if that story isn't all that amazing to begin with. It sure is entertaining though. And the ending to "High Voltage" is, to put it in words, priceless. Not only because it's funny, but also because it kind of shouts "sequel". I could use me some more of that for sure, because "Crank: High Voltage" supplied me with a good sequels-worth of fun.

Most of the cast returns in some way or form. Jason Statham is of course back and kicking ass. I don't know if it would really be "Crank" without the guy, and he gives yet another pretty solid performance which demonstrates his talents as an actor. Amy Smart returns for another round, and nothing much has changed with her. She's still the good ol' mediocre side-kick supporting actor that she always was. Efren Ramirez returns for the sequel, although not in the way that you would expect. It was revealed that Kaylo died in "Crank", and now his twin brother is back for retribution. Ramirez hasn't changed much as an actor, supplying more of the same. There were a couple good non-bit shot cameos, although I still want to see Bruce Campbell get electrocuted by Jason Statham's electrical overload one of these days. Maybe next time.

"Crank: High Voltage" is still the same old ADD-Riddled, action packed piece of offensive action movie coolness that it was when the original released back in '06. Nothing has changed for "High Voltage" as far as style goes, and I'm fine with that. Essentially, that hints the following: more interesting camera angles, more potentially offensive racist humor, and more disrespect towards woman. All of those things are supposed to hint towards a fun time, and I only respect one of them. The visual style is still fantastic, and the pace is still lightning-fast. There is not much artistry, although it's not meant to be a film made for art. I do often detest films like this, although I can make an exception for a consistently amusing and creative thrill-ride like this. After all, it's seldom that movies like this are released in the first place. And it's surprising how the two directors made this and "Gamer" in the same year and only managed to screw up one of them, completely. "Gamer" is a movie which I hated, although the "Crank" series makes me think that the directors have some talent left in them. After all, "Crank: High Voltage" is even more entertaining than the original, meaning that it is somewhat of an improvement. AND the soundtrack is still genuinely awesome, which comes at no particular surprise.

What's better than Jason Statham fighting a guy while sticking his body outside of a helicopter? Apparently, Jason Statham giving you the finger while on fire is. "Crank: High Voltage" is another crazy, funny entry into the series; a less than masterful film but none the less one that manages to entertain me. For those with short attention spans, this is a movie for you. It's fast-paced and never holds up to slow down. I like that, and I had some serious fun with it. I do not imagine that many will feel the same way, but "Crank: High Voltage" is pure cinematic entertainment. I will not say "at its best", because this is not the most entertaining cinematic film I've seen. There are indeed bigger, better films. But then again, neither "Crank" movie is terribly memorable, although like every other genuinely good movie; they are not forgettable either. Just watch it for what it is; violence, obscene, dumb fun. There's nothing more to it than violence, profanity, fire-fighting (literally), and hilarity. This movie made me laugh a lot and I admire that. There was not one boring moment, but there was not one truly fascinating one either. But you kind of have to admire it for being genuinely creative with its violence when every other film is busy being boring. Thank god for fast-paced films starring Jason Statham, that happen to be called "Crank". Thank god indeed.