‘Crank 2’ … a silly idea, but so much fun!

I must admit … as silly and off-the-wall as the first Crank movie was, I actually enjoyed watching the pure adrenaline charged, no excuses, in your face extreme and often absurd stylized action. Not to mention, Jason Statham is always enjoyable. So, in my moment of naive denial, I figured it was a one-shot carnival ride intended for mere thrills … apparently, it somehow made someone think a sequel was in order. I know the character supposedly has a iron-clad heart that seems to be indestructible, but how one justifies bringing back a character who met his fate quite as clearly as Chev Chelios did in the first is beyond my feeble mind’s comprehension. However, I will indulge that lesser side of my brain and suspend my disbelief to near critical meltdown.

The sequel, titled Crank 2: High Voltage, is being bank-rolled by Lakeside Entertainment. The story marks the return of Jason Statham as Chev Chelios, who in this raging romp finds himself squaring off against a mob boss who has stolen his uniquely resilient heart and replaced it with a battery-powered substitute that requires periodic jolts of high-voltage to maintain functionality. Amy Smart has been re-cast as Chelios’ girlfriend and his new nemesis will be played by Clifton Collins, Jr. (Tigerland, Capote). Also cast are Bai Ling, Dwight Yoakam and Efren Ramirez.