Crank (2006)
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An assassin poisoned by a synthetic drug must keep his adrenaline pumping at all costs to stay alive.
The story
L.A.–based hitman Chev Chelios works for the crime empire of Don "Carlito" Carlos. When Chelios is tasked with eliminating a rival mafia boss, he is betrayed by a fellow criminal, Ricky Verona, who injects him with a synthetic drug called the Beijing Cocktail. This drug inhibits his adrenaline, and unless he keeps his heart racing through constant, high-risk activities, he will die. Chelios must navigate a dangerous underworld, engaging in reckless acts and high-speed pursuits to keep his adrenaline levels high enough to survive while tracking down the men responsible for the poisoning.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Chev Chelios, an assassin for Don "Carlito" Carlos, is betrayed by a rival, Ricky Verona, who injects him with the 'Beijing Cocktail,' a drug that stops adrenaline flow. To survive, Chelios must constantly engage in high-risk activities. After learning that Carlito is in league with Verona, Chelios hunts down Verona's brother, Alex, and eventually tracks Verona to a warehouse. After a shootout with Carlito's men, Chelios and his girlfriend, Eve, flee to Doc Miles, who confirms there is no cure. Knowing his time is short, Chelios confronts Verona on a hotel rooftop. A massive shootout ensues involving the Triads. In the chaos, Carlito is betrayed by Verona and killed. Chelios manages to board a helicopter where a final confrontation occurs; he kills Verona and, after a harrowing flight, lands in an intersection, surviving the fall.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 87
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mark Neveldine; Brian Taylor
- Writers
- Mark Neveldine · writer; Brian Taylor · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jason Statham · Chev Chelios; Amy Smart · Eve Lydon; Jose Pablo Cantillo · Ricky Verona; Efren Ramirez · Kaylo; Dwight Yoakam · Doc Miles; Carlos Sanz · Carlito; Keone Young · Don Kim; Reno Wilson · Orlando; Edi Gathegi · Haitian Cabbie; Sam Witwer · Henchman; Jay Xcala · Alex Verona; Chester Bennington · Pharmacy stoner
- Genres
- action; thriller
- Themes
- survival; adrenaline; betrayal
- Tone and mood
- action-packed; fast-paced
- Premise and plot tags
- assassin; drug-induced; underworld
- Franchise connections
- Crank
- Content notes
- violence; language; nudity
- Reception
- The film received mixed to positive reviews for its high-octane action and unique style, with some critics finding its 'assaultive style' polarizing while audiences seeking adrenaline were thrilled.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 6/10 · scale: 10 · review count: 101; Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 19; CinemaScore · score: C+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film was originally written with Johnny Knoxville in mind for the lead role.; The film was shot on digital videotape rather than 35mm film.; Jason Statham performed all fight and car stunts himself.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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