Action fans rejoice! Here comes The Transporter, a movie exposing XXX and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever for the posers they are. The combination of French producer/co-writer Luc Besson, Chinese director/martial arts choreographer Corey Yuen, and British actor Jason Statham brings forth a movie clearly in love with its genre, a film containing more energy and good-nature than any of the recent American-made entries.

Set in France (don't worry, it's all in English, albeit with thick accents of several varieties), The Transporter has that distinct to-the-point European feel, thanks mostly to the story's hero. Frank (Statham) is an ex-military man who now transports goods for hire with his prized BMW. He's no-nonsense and follows his own strict set of rules (examples: no names; never open the package), but when unexpected events start happening, he reacts with a look of level-headed bemusement before taking quick action. Frank reminds me of another strong, silent, no-nonsense movie character -- Léon from the Besson-directed The Professional. Statham's own take on this kind of hero is a little colder but still easy to get behind because his self-enforced pragmatism is so humorously endearing.

Director Corey Yuen brings to the film the Hong Kong elements -- not only martial arts fighting but a sense that everything happening is just this side of silly. The world of the movie exists in its own logic and accepts outlandish physical achievements. Yuen sets the tone in the opening chase scene when, during one moment, Frank's car is trapped on a bridge. He spots a car-carrying truck going under the bridge and, wouldn't you know it, there's an empty spot on the upper section of the carrier where a car should be. Without breaking a sweat, Frank drives off the side of the bridge at full speed and lands perfectly in the spot as the police continue to give chase. This goofy scenario is coupled with Frank's very serious demeanor, thus demonstrating the delicious harmony achieved by this unique "Eurasian" style.

Once Frank accepts his next deal, the infectious energy barely lets up as our action hero meets a girl, breaks into a bad guy's home to lay a few smackdowns, then dodges bullets and rockets, all while convincing his friend, a French police inspector (Francois Berléand), that there's nothing unusual going on. The movie exudes this kind of light, kickback attitude, allowing us to fully take in some manic set pieces, the most imaginative of which involves Frank fighting off a gang while making very good use of spilled oil and a bicycle. A bopping soundtrack and snazzy, quick-cut editing that speeds up some of the action gives the whole thing a catchy rhythm.

Unfortunately, The Transporter suffers from a weakness involving its female lead. Chinese star Shu Qi is pretty to look at, but she spends most of her time screaming and over-acting. Her part in the film is somewhat of a joke -- when she's not being afraid, she's trying to find some way to make Frank notice her romantically. The role comes across as a bit demeaning, even in this kind of movie. Besson, who once created the roles of the determined Mathilda (in The Professional) and Nikita (in La Femme Nikita), should know better than to make such a two-dimensional female character.

Still, this doesn't detract too much from the film's overall exuberance. By the time Frank pulls a Raiders of the Lost Ark and fights bad guys while trying to hijack a tractor trailer, it's obvious what The Transporter has been doing right all along. Not over-calculated in its desperation to appeal -- like XXX -- and not depressing with dour characters who drain the fun from the screen -- like Ballistic -- The Transporter tackles action with the enthusiastic glee of boys who like to dream up impossible scenarios and commit them to film.

(Review also posted at www.windowtothemovies.com) 

Released by 20th Century Fox and rated "PG-13" for violent sequences and some sensuality.