When you think of Jason Statham, you likely picture him as a no-nonsense action hero who can take down an army with his bare hands. From The Beekeeper to A Working Man, he's delivered some of the most pulse-pounding action flicks of the last decade. But one of his most unhinged series—Crank—never got the trilogy it deserved. And for fans of high-octane, brain-off entertainment, that's a crime.
The Crank Series: A Shot of Adrenaline
Written and directed by the duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, Crank follows Chev Chelios, an assassin poisoned by a gang. To stay alive, he must keep his heart rate up—by any means necessary. The first film, released in 2006, had Chelios dying if his heart rate dropped too low. The 2009 sequel, Crank: High Voltage, upped the ante: Chelios now has an artificial heart that needs constant electrical jolts, all while he tries to retrieve his real heart from a gang. It's absurd, it's chaotic, and it's pure Statham.
What Makes Crank Worth Watching
The Crank movies are a masterclass in controlled chaos. Neveldine and Taylor craft action sequences that feel as frantic as Chelios himself—shooting through hospitals, bickering with his girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart), and taking advice from his eccentric doctor, Doc Miles (Dwight Yoakam). While the first film is relatively subdued, the sequel cranks everything to eleven. One standout scene in High Voltage features Chelios fighting Johnny Vang, who literally stole his heart. It's one of the most ridiculous—and brilliant—action scenes of the 21st century. Then there's a dream sequence with a young Chelios on a talk show, complete with stylized curse words. It's trippy, it's fun, and it's unforgettable.
Why No Third Movie?
Unfortunately, Crank: High Voltage only grossed $34.5 million on a $20 million budget, which wasn't enough to greenlight a third installment (though it's become a cult hit on streaming). There's also the issue of the series' humor, which is often offensive. Characters like Ria (Bai Ling) and Venus (Efren Ramirez) are shockingly stereotypical. In a 2018 interview, Brian Taylor admitted, “I don’t think you could make Crank in today’s climate.” The directors also worried they couldn't top themselves—High Voltage already featured Statham interacting with a reanimated, decapitated head. A third film was reportedly considered in 3D, but it never got past the drafting stage.
What We Missed
Despite its flaws, the Crank series is a blast for those willing to shut off their brains. It's a shame we never got to see Chelios take to the streets again. For fans of Statham's wilder side, these two movies are essential viewing. And if you're craving more action-thrillers, check out our list of the 10 greatest action-thriller masterpieces. Or dive into the 2020s' three true action-thriller masterpieces. For now, we'll just have to imagine what a third Crank could have been.
