Film Review: Crank: High Voltage (2009)
The gluttony of Hollywood for capitalising on the success of certain films invariably leads to the creation of sequels, often despite the unlikelihood of such continuations due to the very nature of the original story. The 2006 action-comedy film Crank is a prime example of this phenomenon, ending with the protagonist's spectacular demise. However, three years later, screenwriting/directing duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor returned to the scene with Crank: High Voltage, delivering a sequel that follows the story of Los Angeles hitman Chev Chelios (played by Jason Statham) in his relentless pursuit of survival and vengeance.
The plot of Crank: High Voltage picks up shortly after the events of its predecessor, with Chev Chelios plummeting from a helicopter onto the streets of Los Angeles after dispatching mobsters responsible for his demise. Miraculously surviving this fall, he finds himself in the hands of mysterious Chinese doctors who have sinister intentions. Upon awakening three years later, Chev discovers that he was not saved out of altruism; instead, he has been kept alive to serve as an organ donor for a powerful client of the Chinese triads. Following a heart transplant, he is fitted with an AbioCor artificial heart designed to keep him alive temporarily. After escaping from the hospital, Chev contacts his old friend Doc Miles (played by Dwight Yoakam), who informs him that his new heart's internal battery will only sustain him for an hour. This revelation sets off a frantic quest for Johnny Vang (played by Art Hsu), a gangster who has stolen his original heart. The search leads Chev to a strip club where he encounters his former girlfriend Eve (played by Amy Smart), now working as a stripper. As if this weren't enough chaos, Chev soon learns that a Hispanic gang is also intent on ending his life.
Neveldine and Taylor did not aim to reinvent the wheel with Crank: High Voltage. Instead, they opted to refine their established formula—a blend of relentless action, graphic violence, dark humour, and frenetic editing—by incorporating occasional "clever" details designed to provoke outrage among sensitive critics. Their approach appears to be one of pushing boundaries further rather than rethinking their creative vision.
This boundary-pushing is evident from the film's outset, which pays homage to ultra-violent video games while recapping essential details from the first film. Surreal scenes abound, including a fight between two characters presented as a showdown reminiscent of Japanese Godzilla films and a dream sequence featuring Chev as a child on a sleazy British talk show with Geri Halliwell—better known as "Ginger Spice"—playing his mother.
One notable aspect that has been amplified in this sequel is its explicit sexual content and nudity. At times, Crank: High Voltage resembles the sleaziest exploitation films from the 1970s grindhouse era. The film features various references to genitalia and even includes shocking scenes such as individuals being anally penetrated with shotguns. Additionally, it introduces fictional porn actors' strikes as an excuse for celebrity cameos from that world and showcases an extravagant gunfight set in a strip club. However, it is perhaps the public sex scene between Chev and Eve—already memorable from the first film—that becomes even more audacious in this sequel.
Ultimately, whether viewers appreciate Crank: High Voltage hinges largely on their enjoyment of the original film. Audiences who relish a mix of dark humour and extreme violence—augmented by nudity and sexual themes—will likely find plenty to enjoy. Conversely, those who are uncomfortable with such content may feel disquieted within minutes. Critics have pointed out that certain elements within this film reek of sexism, homophobia, and racial stereotypes—all aspects deemed unacceptable in today's “politically correct” Hollywood landscape.
Jason Statham appears to have relished his time on set, embodying Chev Chelios with an infectious energy that suggests genuine enjoyment in his role. The same can be said for much of the cast, which largely reprises their roles from the first film. This continuity contributes to a sense of familiarity amidst the chaos that defines Crank: High Voltage.
Despite its polarising nature, Crank: High Voltage received predominantly negative reviews from critics upon release and achieved only modest success at the box office. This lukewarm reception prompted Neveldine and Taylor to reconsider their approach for any potential future sequels; they ultimately decided against taking unnecessary risks for another installment in this franchise.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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