The Transporter (2002)

Frank is hired to "transport" packages for unknown clients and has made a very good living doing so. But when asked to move a package that begins moving, complications arise.

Directors:

Louis Leterrier, Corey Yuen (as Cory Yuen)

Writers:

Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

Stars:

Jason Statham, Qi Shu, Matt Schulze

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Statham	...	Frank Martin
Qi Shu	...	Lai (as Shu Qi)
Matt Schulze	...	Wall Street
François Berléand	...	Inspector Tarconi
Ric Young	...	Mr. Kwai
Doug Rand	...	Leader
Didier Saint Melin	...	Boss
Tonio Descanvelle	...	Thug 1
Laurent Desponds	...	Thug 2
Matthieu Albertini	...	Thug 3
Vincent Nemeth	...	Pilot
Jean-Yves Bilien	...	Little Thug
Jean-Marie Paris	...	Giant Thug
Adrian Dearnell	...	Newscaster
Alfred Lot	...	Cop 1

Storyline

Ex-Special Forces operator Frank Martin lives what seems to be a quiet life along the French Mediterranean, hiring himself out as a mercenary "transporter" who moves goods--human or otherwise--from one place to another. No questions asked. Carrying out mysterious and sometimes dangerous tasks in his tricked-out BMW, Frank adheres to a strict set of rules, which he never breaks. Rule One: Never change the deal. Rule Two: No names--Frank doesn't want to know whom he's working for, or what he's transporting. Rule Three: never look in the package. Frank's newest transport seems no different from the countless ones he's done in the past. He's been hired by an American known only as "Wall Street" to make a delivery; but when Frank stops along the route, he notices his package is moving. Violating Rule Three, Frank looks inside the bag, finding its contents to be a beautiful, gagged woman. Frank's steadfast adherence to his other two rules--which make up his basic code of survival--also ...

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Plot Keywords:

gunfight | mixed martial arts | tire iron | bar | human trafficking | 

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Taglines:

Rules are made to be broken

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent sequences and some sensuality

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English French Mandarin

Release Date:

11 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Transporter

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,107,816, 13 October 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,296,447

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,928,932

Company Credits

Production Co:

EuropaCorp,TF1 Films Production,Current Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES (original version) Dolby Digital EX (original version) SDDS DTS (Digital DTS Sound) (English version) Dolby Digital (English version)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The US poster lists Corey Yuen as director and Louis Leterrier as artistic director. The European release lists Yuen as action director and Letterier as director, similar to the opening credits of the film.

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Goofs

During the bank heist at the beginning, one robber shoots another to conform to the deal with Frank of only transporting three people. However, blood splatters on the back window indicating an exit wound. If there were an exit wound the bullet should have gone through the back windshield as well.

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Quotes

Lai: You're always complaining, except when we make love. Then you say nothing.

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Alternate Versions

Region 1 DVD features three extended fight scenes. All three are "Unrated" and Not Suitable For Persons Under 18 Years of Age due to violence and adult subject matter. The scenes were shortened due to time/pacing reasons, and mostly for a PG-13 rating. The scenes featured more brutal violence(blood splattering when people get shot, and stabbings with a knife, etc.).

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Connections

Referenced in Fresh Meat: Episode #3.2 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Scream aka Itchin'
(Missy Elliott (as M. Elliott), Timbaland (as T. Mosley))
Performed by Missy Elliott
©Mass Confusion Music / Virginia Beach Music
(p) Timbaland for Timbaland Productions, Inc.
Co-Produced by Missy Elliott

User Reviews

Jason Statham action star.

The Transporter (2002) was a fun action film that was directed by Jet Li's fight director Corey Yuen and it starred Jason Statham. Jason stars as Frank Martin. He's a hired gin who does driving jobs for a hefty fee. For his services he'll use his superb driving skills to get his paying customers out of a jam. He asks no questions and needs precise instruction in order to perfectly time his getaways. His number one rule is to never ask questions. One day he takes a gig from a sleazy and shady man named Betancourt (Matt Schulze). Instead of delivering the goods, he breaks his number one rule and peeks inside the package...

A fun action film filled with bone breaking action and wild stunts. People have unfairly slammed this movie for being unrealistic. What do you expect? The action scenes are performed to flamboyant ans stylized you have to suspend belief. It's one of those movies that doesn't throw in realism all of a sudden to make the movie more interesting. Jason Statham is pretty cool as well as the Transporter and he seems legit, not another tough guy phony. HE looks like he can knock the tar out of you in a real fight. Co-stars Shu Qi (she learned to speak English phonetically for her role in this movie).

Highly recommended.