Transporter 3 (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Smash-up action sequel is a little rough for young teens.


parents & educators say
  • 75% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like its predecessors, the third movie in the Transporter franchise features extensive, visceral martial-arts action (not to mention constant violation of any conception of safe driving). There are shootings, explosions, mutilations, and more. Also expect a good bit of strong language (including "f--k") and some kissing and partial nudity (buttocks). The female lead takes Ecstasy mixed with vodka at one point, and other characters smoke and drink. While the film nominally has a pro-environmental regulation message, it's paper-thin wrapping around a slick, glossy package of violence and velocity.

Positive messages: The plot revolves around a toxic-waste disposal scheme that sees a high government official's daughter kidnapped to coerce her father into clearing multiple shipments of illegal waste for docking and, presumably, dumping. Nominally, the movie's message is meant to be pro-environmental regulation. Extensive violation of the rules of the road. Public urination.
Violence: Extreme and near-constant violence. Extensive martial-arts violence, with metal pipes, knives, articles of clothing, fire extinguishers, and more used as weapons. Shootings, many lethal, are often solely to make a point. Two supporting characters are shown murdered and mutilated by toxic waste. Characters are fitted with explosive bracelets that will detonate if they move too far from their vehicle. Deaths by explosion. Extensive vehicular action, including chases and crashes.
Sex: A woman in peril notes in broken English that "I want to feel sex one more time before I die." When the object of her affections demurs, she asks if he is "the gay." Kissing. Nude male and female buttocks. Implied lovemaking. A character is coerced into a "strip-tease." Some discussion of a character's taste for "the rough stuff" in lovemaking.
Language: Some harsh language, including "s--t," "ass," "gay," "f--k," and "hell."
Consumerism: Some brands mentioned and shown on screen -- particularly Audi automobiles.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink wine, champagne, beer, and hard liquor. A character takes what's implied to be Ecstasy (MDMA) during a life-threatening set of circumstances, chasing the pills with vodka. Some cigarette smoking, plus discussion of Dean Martin's signature look of "holding a drink and a cigarette."

More on Transporter 3

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about Frank's moral code of professionalism and honor ... while conducting illegal activity. How does his precision represent a relative decency, compared to the other characters/groups in the movie? Do you think the filmmakers are trying to convey any real messages, or is the point of the movie just to entertain with over-the-top action? Parents of kids learning to drive might also point out the stunts are not to be imitated.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Professional "transporter" Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is out of the business and enjoying his retirement when adventure literally comes crashing into his home in the form of a car driven by the friend Frank recommended for a job he passed up. Soon Frank finds himself the replacement driver, taking passenger Valentina (Natalya Rudakiva) across Europe at the behest of heavily armed, deeply criminal men who've strapped Frank and Valentina with explosive bracelets that will detonate if they get too far from the car. She's the daughter of a European minister preventing the docking and off-loading of ships loaded with illegal toxic waste; her kidnapping is the leverage the villains intend to use to get their boats unloaded. Can Frank escape the clutches of the bad guys alive while rescuing the girl?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Following the other films in the Transporter series, TRANSPORTER 3 is built on a seemingly solid foundation of star Statham's abdominal muscles, martial arts action, and adrenaline-fueled stunt driving. While the first two Transporter films were good, dumb fun, Transporter 3 is critically wounded by what may be one of the worst performances ever committed to film: Rudakova's work as Valentina. Perilously wooden and amazingly shallow, Rudakova provides purely unintentional comedy as she delivers badly written lines in halting fractured English while pouting, preening, and posing her way through the film.

It's a shame, because Statham still has everything you could ask for in an action lead -- guts, grit, and grace under pressure -- and bad guy Mr. Johnson (Prison Break's Robert Knepper) is suitably silken and wicked. Kudos should aslo go to series fight choreographer Cory Yuen, a master of close, intense, superbly-crafted martial-arts action. Still, you can feel that this is a shabby, quickly made sequel. The story makes no sense -- but, then again, these films have always been more about speed and splashy action than plot or logic. Director Olivier Megaton puts all the pieces together, but with Rudakova so stiff and shabby in her portrayal of a shallow, spoiled brat, you literally don't care whether she escapes with her life. The Transporter films have always been guilty pleasures, but the third installment is such a diluted, dull repetition that you'll feel the guilt much, much more than any pleasure.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Olivier Megaton
Cast: Jason Statham, Natalya Rudakova, Robert Knepper
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: November 26, 2008
DVD release: March 10, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material
Watch our review

This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 75% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Xboxboy15
teen, 18 years old
 
I liked this movie its a lot of action the best thriller movie
Transporter 3 has a lot of action and better than the 2nd The best movie has cool car chases and it has a better story The best action thriller movie of 2008 My best time of the movie I rather liked this movie but if you didn't like Transporter 3 there's no talking to you

mlb444
adult
 
Boring action movie
Kind of boring action movie. A mild sex scene just pointless kissing and dosnt show anything but its obious what was going on. Not much strong language.My baby 9 year old brother saw it with me which was sort of a mistake

night2543
teen, 18 years old
 
Cool
Because of the action fighting and car chase seans. Plus hot chicks.

4Spice
adult
 
good action 13 and over
very good transporter three is very diffrent then the other ones its not a classic but its still good lots of fighting and action more sex then the other too 13 and over

ygbhygb
teen, 16 years old
 
I almost left!
I haven't seen the first two but my friends tell me they were much better. This one was really bad and random. The girl had a weird obsession of talking about eating food.

 
Worst one yet.
This one was the worst. It had its ups and downs but trust me more downs.Most of the movie was him driving around town with some stupid girl who wanted to have sex with him. There was like 3 hand to hand combat scenes. And like 2 driving scenes. The beggining was Crap The middle had some OK parts but was pretty bad. And the end was OK. So overall 3/10.

Cyonnara
teen, 17 years old
 
Just Like All His Other Movies
So bored of Jason Stathams same person action hero movies

Errweb
teen, 17 years old
 
A Good Action Movie indeed
I found this movie pretty good, its what an action fan would ever want. The main drawback of this movie was, the acting of girl was pretty lame. A mild sex scene, drinking, drug references and strong language were also shown. I musqt admit that Transporter 2 is the best.

iluvzmoosyk
teen, 16 years old
 
The second best Transporter movie
The second best Transporter movie. Good for ages 13+. Hope my review helps you! -i love dogs

chevelleutd
teen, 17 years old
 
awesome
great movie

Prototype79043
teen, 16 years old
 
This movie is age appropriate

kayvan_922
teen, 16 years old
 

erik252
teen, 15 years old
 
big big disapointment compared to the others very stupid

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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