Crank 2: High Voltage

Considering the original “Crank” was nothing but a series of over-the-top sketches pieced together to pass as a feature length film, it shouldn’t have been too difficult for directors Neveldine and Taylor to make improvements. With a considerably bigger budget to work with, familiar industry faces and endless promotion, “Crank 2: High Voltage” is a step up from its predecessor and a giant step at that.

Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) was supposed to have died at the end of “Crank”. Within the first ten minutes of “High Voltage”, however, viewers learn that isn’t the case at all. After his heart is removed and replaced with an artificial device, it’s yet another race-against-time hunt for Chelios to find his original organ. Of course, if you’ve seen the previous movie, you know the writers aren’t about to let the character off so easily. As it just so happens, his mechanical ticker runs on batteries thus it’s no surprise what lies in store for Chelios once they die. In order to remain alive, he’s forced to find innovative ways to charge himself and that’s undoubtedly what makes the film so fun.

If you’re the type of movie-goer who prefers simplicity where everything is laid out in an organized fashion, there’s a good chance you’ll hate this movie. “Crank 2: High Voltage” is unpredictable. Much like the film’s predecessor, viewers never know what to expect. Fortunately, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching “Crank”, it’s that directors Neveldine and Taylor know how to please genre buffs. Packed with balls-to-wall action and stunning spectacle, this movie delivers. Had “Crank 2” been released a month or two later, there’s a good chance it would have given some of this year’s bound-to-be-blockbusters a run for their money. Fans of action films rejoice because this flick is for you.