 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Crank: High Voltage
- Review Date: September 7, 2009
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Grisly, gory, over-the-top action-parody isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gory, envelope-pushing sequel to Crank is packed with grotesque, bloody, how-do-we-top-this? moments of extraordinary violence, conducted with a smirking, smug sense of bad-boy provocation. It ends up feeling a lot like the filmed version of a video game -- a violent, hyper-stylized, over-the-top game along the lines of Grand Theft Auto (i.e. not for kids). The entire movie is soaked in sex, violence, and slapstick -- often combining all three -- but it's hard to appreciate any of the "fun" amid all the grisly gore, partial nudity, nonstop swearing, and other mature content.
What's the story?
Following the events of Crank -- in which hit man Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) seemingly fell to his death from a helicopter -- CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE picks up with Chelios waking after months in a coma to discover that his heart has been harvested for an aging Tong crimelord. Understandably upset -- and fitted with a temporary artificial heart -- Chelios goes on a rampage to get his heart back; of course, the limited battery capacity of his artificial unit means that he has to jolt himself with electricity on a regular basis to stay alive.
Is it any good?
The first Crank, for all of its excess, gory violence, and sex-obsessed misogyny, at least had the virtue of being unique, down to the fact that it killed its protagonist at the end of his misadventures. Bringing Chev Chelios back may make sense financially, but it somewhat dilutes the hell-bent-for-madness lunacy of the original film.
Statham certainly deserves kudos for hurling himself into the role, and director-writers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor earn a few points for moments of mad invention (a fight between a hallucinating Chev and a Chinese gangster is shot and envisioned like a monster-on-monster battle from a '70s Japanese science fiction film, for one example). But familiarity breeds content -- or, in this case, shows contempt; the first Crank may have been shocking, but the only thing shocking about Crank: High Voltage is how far it's willing to go in the name of jolting the audience in pursuit of a quick buck.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about violence in movies. Do you think movies have gotten more violent over the years? What's the impact of seeing these types of images? Is there any value in depicting violence in brutally realistic fashion, or is it all about shock value?
Families can also discuss the fine line between satirical, comedic
action/violence and going too far -- what happens when the audience
stops laughing? Who decides what "too far" is?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
October 4, 2009
AGE
yippie cai yay!!!
this movie is awsome whach it but it is just trash jason stanhame is in he is a good actor but the movie is worthless.
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AGE
yippie cai yay!!!
this movie is awsome whach it but it is just trash jason stanhame is in he is a good actor but the movie is worthless.
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Kid, 11 years old
October 4, 2009
AGE
yippie cai yay!!!
this movie is awsome whach it but it is just trash jason stanhame is in he is a good actor but the movie is worthless.
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AGE
dont waste your money
the first crank was ok but this was just stupid.
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AGE
Crank: High Voltage
No where near as good as the first one. More of a comedy than an action film in my opinion. Maybe worth watching once, but never again.
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AGE
this movie is pretty awsome its probbly the best action movie out there even do the stuff he does is totally fake if you can push that aside it becomes a really cool movie
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AGE
Perfect for... no one
This movie was extremely offensive even for adults. The content was so over-the-top vulgar and lascivious that if the story were actually interesting or believable, which it was not, then the way in which it was conveyed ruined it. Only watch this if you want essentially a porno with foul language and gory scenes mixed in.
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AGE
Not for kids.
Parents need to know, that this is a very disgusting, brutal thriller, with lots of drugs, sex, and over the top violence. If you are a Jason Statham fan, but you are 14 or younger, try checking out the Transporter series, instead. Less language and sex. Violence is not as bloody. But if you are an older teenager looking for a nice, gritty action film, this is it. For violence: well pretty much everything. Mostly guns. Sex? Breasts visible, and a public sex scene on a horse racing track. penis and vagina are blurred, but still graphic positions. After he has sex with his girlfriend, he leaves her there, just like in the first crank. Not any good role models, and many scenes where Chev shocks himself with a huge high voltage electric source. (He is later shown set on fire, with flesh burning, and he looks like a zombie. Adults only!
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AGE
Great for tots
This is a super tale of heroism and derring-do. It's educational too - your kids will come away buzzing with excitement at their new found knowledge of electrical power. The way that this film remains exciting without ever being frightening will appeal to kids and adults of all ages alike. We sat and watched it as a family this Xmas, and there were a few teary eyes during the sad bits, but without wanting to spoil too much, there is an amazing happy ending. A beautifully crafted family film that kids and grandparents will enjoy equally.
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AGE
just dont allow this crap to be watched by kids.....
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| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Directors: | Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine |
| Cast: | Amy Smart, Efren Ramirez, Jason Statham |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 17, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | September 8, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | frenetic strong bloody violence throughout, crude and graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language |
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