Using the description "positively ridiculous" for a Transporter movie is a waste of breath. If you have seen the first two of the Jason Staitham action trilogy about a very focused, efficient, and also highly lucky "transporter" hired by those in-the-know for delivering whatever "package" is assigned him, then the dispension of logic is a common occurrence. This sequel has the package being a politician's Ukrainian daughter, to be delivered to some very ruthless clients who want to pollute with toxic waste and need permission in writing to travel ships carrying the stuff over a particular area on the water. So our transporter, who is provided extra motivation to deliver his package on time thanks to a metal bracelet which will explode if he is separate very far from his car which also wired to detonate, must drive across Europe at great speed and accuracy, with the occasional stop along the way, in order to survive. The whole film is built around Staitham's abilities to avoid destruction, the metal bracelet a major thorn in his side at every possible moment. He attempts to find a means to remove it, tries to set up the mastermind behind his predicament by contacting an old friend(a cop from a French village), and finds himself falling in love(and vice versa for her)with the package, who, of course, complicates matters from time to time. Very much a PG-13 actioner with no blood(boo!)and when the bad guys get shot, we don't see the damage on screen. The reason to see this is the impressive, if a bit highly unlikely in a more realistic scenario(this is a Staitham movie, if you recall), stunt work with one scene having Staitham driving his car on it's side between two semis and on top of a moving train. And, the girls get to see their hunk with his shirt off, including one fight scene where he must upend a gang with tools using only his wardrobe as a defense! Oh, and you just have to see how Staitham gets out of a drowning while under water, knowing that if he splits from his sinking car he'll either explode or follow it to his doom. Natalya Rudakova is the hot Ukrainian red-head, Valentina, he must keep out of trouble/danger, while attempting unsuccessfully from getting too attached as she makes advances towards him. François Berléand returns as Inspector Tarconi, Staitham's Frank Martin's major ally as he works to find the politician whose deadline to sign the papers allowing access is 24 hours. Robert Knepper is Martin's dead-serious rival, who seems to have all the cards and tries to betray the transporter on numerous occasions. I just love listening to Rudakova speak in broken English, it makes my heart skip a beat.
Review of Transporter 3
