Quartile rating: 6/10 · 2 ratings
Frank Martin puts the driving gloves on to deliver Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of a Ukrainian government official, from Marseilles to Odessa on the Black Sea. En route, he has to contend with thugs who want to intercept Valentina's safe delivery and not let his personal feelings get in the way of his dangerous objective.
Transporter 3 is a by-the-numbers third entry in the franchise, recycling the same kidnap-delivery premise with diminishing returns. The plot is thin and formulaic, relying on contrivances to keep the action moving. Acting is serviceable at best — Statham does his stoic thing but the chemistry with Natalya Rudakova is awkward and unconvincing. Cinematography has some slick action framing and European location photography that keeps it visually competent, though the editing is often frenetic to the point of confusion. Novelty is low — it retreads familiar Transporter territory without meaningful innovation, feeling like a cash-in sequel. The ending resolves predictably with little tension or surprise.