CRANK 2 HIGH VOLTAGE

Studio: Lionsgate

Year: 2009

Rated: R

Film Length: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 1080p High Definition Widescreen (1.85:1)

Audio: English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio, French Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
 

Release Date: September 8, 2009
 

The Movie

( 1/2 out of )
 

Crank 2 High Voltage is a sequel that suffers from the law of diminishing returns. With few exceptions, sequels typically fail to recreate the spirit of the original film. Crank 2 certainly has some of the same elements that I enjoyed in Crank, but I believe that the first film may have been so outrageous that the screen-writers could not succeed in topping themselves in this sequel.

Crank 2 High Voltage is the continuing story of hit man Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) and picks up immediately following the conclusion of the first film. Chelios has improbably survived his trials and tribulations suffered in the first film only to wake up and discover that his most prized organ(okay, his second most prized organ), his heart, has been stolen by members of a Chinese Triad. Chelios’ survival of the events of the first film has demonstrated his superiority as an organ donor, and the boss of the Triad needs a heart transplant. Chelios escapes his captors with a little help from his artificial heart that was implanted to keep him alive while his remaining organs were harvested.  In the first film, Chelios had to keep his adrenaline high to stay alive;  this time around, he must have a steady flow of electricity or his artificial heart will fail.

Returning for Crank 2 are the original collaborating screen-writers and directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. While there is no question that this film is wild and unpredictable, Neveldine and Taylor set the bar so high for craziness in the first film that there is no where to go but down. After your lead character has survived plummeting thousands of feet to the ground from an airplane, what else can he do? Some of the funnier elements of the first film are recreated in Crank 2, however, the recreations become pale imitations that fail to surpass the original. The first half of Crank 2 is full of energy but the second half tapers off disappointingly.  Also returning from the first film are Dwight Yoakam as Doc and Amy Smart as Chelios' girlfriend Eve.
 

Video

( 1/2 out of )
 

The movie is in 1080p high definition in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This is an excellent transfer from film. Minimal film grain is present but the clarity and detail on images is terrific. There is no apparent DNR or edge enhancement and black crush is minimal to non-existent with no apparent compression artifacts.
 

Audio

( 1/2 out of )

 

The English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio track is employed to full effect that lends itself extremely well to the needs of the film, whether it be the gunplay and explosions or dialogue and music. In short, the audio is top-notch. Neveldine and Taylor continue to select music tracks that provide an ironic but appropriate music soundtrack to the story of their film, just as they did in the original film.
 

Special Features

( out of )
 

The special features are located exclusively on disc 1. Disc 2 consists of a digital copy in standard definition for transfer to portable media device.

The special features are all in 1080p and include all of the following:

Audio Commentary: The commentary is provided by collaborating screen-writers and directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Neveldine and Taylor provide a snarky commentary in keeping with what you might expect from filmmakers who created both Crank films.

Crank’d Out Commentary: This is a picture-in-picture commentary of the audio commentary provided by Neveldine and Taylor. There are 2 options for this PIP mode: the standard mode has the film enlarged with Neveldine and Taylor pictured watching the film on their couch, a la Wayne and Garth; the High Voltage mode has the opposite with the film being in the smaller box.

Making of Documentary (51:23): Neveldine/Taylor and cast and crew are interviewed regarding making the movie along with some behind the scenes footage.

Crank 2 Take 2 (4:03): Neveldine and Taylor host a brief look at continuity flubs that they claim were left deliberately in the film.

Wrap Party Gag Reel (3:26): This is a short collection of line flubs and jokes by the cast.

Theatrical Trailer (2:23): Trailer for Crank 2 High Voltage.

Also From Lionsgate: The trailers for More Than A Game, Transporter 3, Crank, Punisher War Zone, and Rambo show automatically at the beginning of the disc.

LG Live: Internet connected Blu Ray players can access cell phone ringtones, wallpapers, and previews of other Lionsgate films. Ringtones and wallpapers for Crank 2 are already available for when this BD is released on September 8, 2009. The LG Live feature also has time and local weather displayed on the main menu.

MOLOG: The Molog feature, also available on certain other Lionsgate titles, allows users with internet connections to post their own blogs onto the screen in the form of animated shapes, text, and graphics to share with other BD Live users.

Conclusion

( out of overall)
 

Crank 2 High Voltage is a better than average, high concept action flick that never takes itself too seriously. If you enjoyed the first film, you will probably enjoy Crank 2 but possibly not as much as the first film. Ironically, while Crank 2 will not win any major film awards, the audio and video quality are first rate. It is also notable for what may be the final screen appearance of David Carradine. Crank 2 certainly does not transcend its genre but it definitely has its moments.