The Transporter

The Transporter is the film that made Jason Statham an action star, and its formula — expensive car, tailored suit, European setting, elaborate fight choreography — became the template for a new breed of mid-budget action cinema. Statham plays Frank Martin, an ex-special forces operative who delivers packages for criminals, no questions asked. His three rules (never change the deal, no names, never look in the package) are broken within 20 minutes, because rules exist to be broken in action movies.

Corey Yuen’s fight choreography is the film’s secret weapon. The oil-slick garage fight, where Statham slides across the floor using bicycle pedals strapped to his feet while kicking opponents, is inventive and wildly entertaining. The bus fight, the container yard sequence, the underwater climax — every set piece finds creative ways to deploy Statham’s genuine martial arts ability.

The Transporter earned $43 million on a $21 million budget, launched a franchise, and established Statham as the go-to European action lead for two decades. Luc Besson’s fingerprints are all over the production — French locations, tight runtime, unapologetic fun.