Crank: High Voltage has shock value
Crank delivers a large dose of O-M-G
Erik Hyrkas
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Three letters can encapsulate my reaction to "Crank: High Voltage:" W-T-F? If you need translation, ask someone from a younger, hipper generation.
Now, I would never consider myself a movie prude. I love the vulgar jokes of "Knocked Up," the graphic violence of "Hostel," and even the indecent exposure of "Euro Trip." However, writer and director Mark Neveldine's sequel to "Crank" (a movie I loved) trumps all of that.
This plot line is as ridiculous as the first, which was to be expected. After surviving his fall from the sky in "Crank," protagonist Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) picks up where he left off. However, he no longer sustains his heart rate off energy drinks and sex, but in fact needs "High Voltage" to keep his artificial heart pumping as he chases down his real organ that was surgically removed and stolen from him. Need I remind you this film is supposed to be ridiculous?
While getting tased and shocking himself with car batteries is the main way Chelios get his fix, this isn't to say that he doesn't have yet another outrageous public fornication scene with his (now stripper) girlfriend, Eve, played by Amy Smart.
I uttered three words during almost every scene of the film: "Oh my God" (that's O-M-G in Internet chat speak). I was appalled by the continuous use of racial slurs, the unnecessary graphic violence (picture someone cutting off your elbow, nipples, or shocking your male extremities), and even the perverse sexist roles of women portrayed in the movie. "High Voltage" has so much T&A, it's closer to porn than the "Wild Things" series.
Still, the film retains the immensely fast-paced fun of the first with lots of guns blazing, intense fighting, and running down the streets of LA. The cinematography is funky, entertaining, and thematic, making you wonder if you drank a Red Bull before you got to the theatre as you continually twitch in your seat.
This doesn't mean you can gloss over the fact this movie is the most over-the-top stupid, disgusting, and raunchy 96 minutes to ever grace the silver screen. It's a constant battle of impulses. You won't be sure whether to laugh, cringe, close your eyes, or walk out of the theatre.
If you're in to tongue-in-cheek x 1,000, you may like this film. Nevertheless, I predict 90 percent of viewers will be confused, offended, or uncomfortable during a large portion of the movie.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Now, I would never consider myself a movie prude. I love the vulgar jokes of "Knocked Up," the graphic violence of "Hostel," and even the indecent exposure of "Euro Trip." However, writer and director Mark Neveldine's sequel to "Crank" (a movie I loved) trumps all of that.
This plot line is as ridiculous as the first, which was to be expected. After surviving his fall from the sky in "Crank," protagonist Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) picks up where he left off. However, he no longer sustains his heart rate off energy drinks and sex, but in fact needs "High Voltage" to keep his artificial heart pumping as he chases down his real organ that was surgically removed and stolen from him. Need I remind you this film is supposed to be ridiculous?
While getting tased and shocking himself with car batteries is the main way Chelios get his fix, this isn't to say that he doesn't have yet another outrageous public fornication scene with his (now stripper) girlfriend, Eve, played by Amy Smart.
I uttered three words during almost every scene of the film: "Oh my God" (that's O-M-G in Internet chat speak). I was appalled by the continuous use of racial slurs, the unnecessary graphic violence (picture someone cutting off your elbow, nipples, or shocking your male extremities), and even the perverse sexist roles of women portrayed in the movie. "High Voltage" has so much T&A, it's closer to porn than the "Wild Things" series.
Still, the film retains the immensely fast-paced fun of the first with lots of guns blazing, intense fighting, and running down the streets of LA. The cinematography is funky, entertaining, and thematic, making you wonder if you drank a Red Bull before you got to the theatre as you continually twitch in your seat.
This doesn't mean you can gloss over the fact this movie is the most over-the-top stupid, disgusting, and raunchy 96 minutes to ever grace the silver screen. It's a constant battle of impulses. You won't be sure whether to laugh, cringe, close your eyes, or walk out of the theatre.
If you're in to tongue-in-cheek x 1,000, you may like this film. Nevertheless, I predict 90 percent of viewers will be confused, offended, or uncomfortable during a large portion of the movie.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
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russian personals
posted 3/24/10 @ 5:35 PM CST
Great article. I agree totally.
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