Jason Statham’s ‘Crank’ Sequel Is Better than the First One

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In contrast to the classic saying “less is more” which is often good advice for filmmaking, the opposite seems true for Jason Statham’s non-stop action movies. For instance, the film “Crank 2: High Voltage” takes this concept to an extreme, going beyond what was already absurd in the original, leaving avid Statham fans with wide grins. Critics were also favorable, giving “Crank 2” slightly better reviews than its first installment.

Showcasing an outlandish storyline that thrusts Jason Statham’s character, Chev Chelios, into a race-against-time health crisis, the electrifying energy of “Crank 2” comes from its explosive plot, intense fight sequences, excessive violence, dark humor, fast-paced cinematography, Statham’s exhilarating stunts, and much more. As the film marks its 15th anniversary, it’s high time to recharge the batteries and revitalize “Crank: High Voltage” once again.

What Is ‘Crank’ All About?

To fully grasp why “Crank 2” surpasses its original version, it’s essential to consider the context. In their first film venture, directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor brought “Crank” to life with Jason Statham as the lead character, Chev Chelios, an assassin residing in Los Angeles who is tasked with eliminating a Triad mafia boss. Chev is a tough-as-nails British hitman in LA.

One evening, while asleep, intruders break into Chev’s residence and administer a potent synthetic concoction known as “The Beijing Cocktail” to him. This concoction suppresses the natural release of adrenaline in the body, compelling Chev to keep moving physically to prevent his heart from stopping catastrophically.

In the movie “Crank,” a term slang for methamphetamine, is used as its title, similar to The Beijing Cocktail, another illicit stimulant. As Chev frantically navigates through Los Angeles, seeking an antidote and preserving his health, he encounters numerous Triad henchmen while his heart threatens to explode out of his chest. Statham delivers some of his most daring stunts and driving feats in this film, with the action becoming even more intense in the subsequent sequel.

In a clever twist, the somewhat absurd plotline of the B-movie is counteracted by the unyielding direction of Neveldine and Taylor, along with their extravagantly exaggerated action sequences. These intensify significantly in the follow-up film, reaching an exhilaratingly fast tempo and rhythm.

‘Crank: High Voltage’ Ups the Amperage

In the spirit of escalating quality that movie sequels often strive for, Crank 2: High Voltage amplified its daring concept and ramped up the thrill factor significantly. The narrative begins with Chev being air-dropped from a helicopter onto the bustling streets of L.A., before being rushed to a hospital. Upon regaining consciousness, Chev finds himself confronted by mobster Johnny Vang, who orders doctors to extract his heart and replace it with a weaker, artificial one.

Instead of maintaining his high levels of adrenaline like in the initial movie, it’s crucial for Chev to maintain enough electrical charge in his battery-powered heart to stay alive. The battery life lasts only 60 minutes, creating a nerve-wracking countdown situation that intensifies the film’s real-time intensity and sense of urgency. An extraordinary scene showcases Chev hooking up car jumper cables to his heart to restart it while he’s breathlessly chasing after Vang’s henchmen and a ruthless Mexican mob, as portrayed in the promotional materials.

Rather than scaling back on the intensity, Neveldine and Taylor amplified the energy level to a maximum to serve up a wild, over-the-top gunfight spectacular for Statham fans. This movie delights in its absurdity and thrives on the madness of its narrative. Intriguingly, Chev discovers that conflict helps keep his artificial heart functioning even without an antidote, rejuvenating it eight times before the story concludes.

In an even more astonishing turn of events, it is revealed that Chev’s initial heart was transplanted into Triad boss Poon Dong (incredibly true) and he embarks on a harrowing journey to reclaim his organ, enduring intense suffering and despair. To make matters even more incredible, Chev discovers that one of his tormentors had their head preserved artificially for long enough to witness his brutal revenge at the hands of a Mexican mafia chief linked to Vang.

In the films Crank and Crank: High Voltage, the life-or-death scenarios remain consistent. However, the over-the-top craziness in the sequel surpasses the original to such an extent that it demonstrates that Jason Statham’s action movies are at their peak when they offer more, not less.

Critical Response to ‘Crank’ Vs. ‘Crank: High Voltage’

Although both films were closely contested in terms of reviews, Crank 2: High Voltage appears to have been slightly more favorably received by critics, as indicated by Rotten Tomatoes. To be specific, Crank holds a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas High Voltage boasts a 64% approval rating. In summary, the general consensus among critics for High Voltage is positive.

Crank: High Voltage stays true to its word, offering an action-packed journey with plenty of excitement and humor, avoiding any pretentiousness.

More effusive praise for the film comes from Entertainment Weekly’s glowing review, which states:

The outcome, a vibrant spectacle of living tissue, is both visually breathtaking and potentially offensive, likely eliciting excitement from some while causing disbelief or indignation in others.

Interestingly, it was the non-critics who seemed to react differently. They awarded Crank a 71% Popcornmeter rating and Crank 2 a 49%. Despite the fact that the novelty might have faded for Jason Statham’s fans, critics seemed to appreciate the extreme measures taken by Neveldine and Taylor in their fast-paced, dynamic cinematography, and visual style reminiscent of ‘Grand Theft Auto’. However, the lukewarm audience reception could have put a halt on Crank becoming a potential Jason Statham action movie series.

Compared to the original Crank film, which made a profit of $30 million on a small budget of $12 million, its sequel, Crank 2, had higher production costs at $20 million but only earned $34 million internationally. This suggests that the original was far more successful in terms of earnings, while the sequel managed less than half as much, about $14 million. Given this, it’s questionable whether the sequel’s profits were enough to warrant making another one. Despite positive reviews from critics for High Voltage, audience word of mouth appears to have negatively impacted the movie’s box office performance.

Anticipation builds for Jason Statham’s new action flick, “A Working Man.” Meanwhile, “Crank 2” serves as a warning that while bigger, louder, and more intense action films might please critics, they may not always resonate with the intended audience. Yet, when it comes to Jason Statham, additional intensity doesn’t equate to less appeal – it adds to it! If you haven’t seen it yet, “Crank 2: High Voltage” is available for rental on AppleTV and Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-01-13 03:01