Trailer Tuesday - Crank 2: High Voltage

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I actually quite enjoyed the original Crank, an over-the-top action flick that focused on a poisoned hitman (Jason Statham) having to do all kinds of things to keep his adrenalin levels up (including taking drugs, having sex, hijacking cars etc.) in order to keep the effects of a deadly toxin at bay while he exacts his revenge. This said, I really enjoyed Crank until its closing moments, when the film made one final leap from engaging silliness to jarring ridiculousness. Think the entirety of Shoot 'Em Up.


Anyway, the sequel to Crank, Crank 2: High Voltage kicks off exactly where the first film ended. Chev Chelios's ordeal isn't over. This time his indestructible heart has been stolen by a Chinese mobster and replaced with a lousy mechanical one that continually needs jolting with an electric charge to keep Chev alive.

Looking at the new trailer, Crank 2 seems to be pretty much exactly the same as the first film. I.e. the filmmakers aren't messing with the formula that combines high-octane action, graphic violence, some sauciness and a smattering of laughs. Personally I don't know though if Crank 2 will be as fun as Crank, given its simple, possibly repetitive "receive an electric shock to defy death" premise. Most of the fun in the original Crank stemmed from the variety of different things Chev had to do to stay alive, and how game Statham was to subvert his grim hero image in the process. I'm thinking especially of that sequence where he runs around in only a hospital gown... with a big boner.

Crank 2: High Voltage debuts in North America on 17 April (this Friday). No clue when it will open in South Africa but I expect relatively soon.

Comments

Craig said…
Apparently 11 September only, so it's a bit of a wait unfortunately :(
2:50 PM
Pfangirl said…
That's an exceptionally long wait... Thanks for finding the release date though, Craig:)
2:47 PM
Dante said…
*Crank Spoiler Alert*

What about the broken bones and squashed brain?
5:16 PM
Pfangirl said…
Apparently they aren't a problem, Dante...:P

Once Chev started free-falling out of a helicopter and took literally minutes to land (there's no way a chopper can ascend that high) I started being put off the film. And it was so much fun till then.
8:08 AM
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