Casey Chong with the essential Jason Statham action movies…
With his distinctive tough guy look and the kind of impassive personality that you don’t want to mess with, Jason Statham fits like a glove when it comes to playing a no-nonsense action role. Formerly a professional diver, he began his acting career after Guy Ritchie cast him in the era-defining crime film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998. But Statham will always be remembered for his action-movie persona, notably when he starred in the stylish Luc Besson-produced The Transporter. The rest, as they say, is history. Statham has since built a steady career as an action star over the years, and to coincide with his latest film Shelter [read our review here], we present our picks for the ten best Jason Statham action movies…
The Transporter (2002)
Forget about the sequels, as Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen’s The Transporter remains the definitive action-movie vehicle for Jason Statham. The movie runs only 90 minutes, and the story is basically about Statham’s titular character as Frank Martin, who possesses excellent driving skills along with his martial arts and weaponry expertise, finds himself in a mess of a human kidnapping plot.
With Luc Besson serving as both co-writer and producer, The Transporter is all about style above substance. Statham’s Frank Martin is an embodiment of a cool, don’t-mess-with-me kind of guy. He’s perfectly agile when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, and enlisting veteran action director/choreographer Corey Yuen helps to make the action look like we are watching the glory days of a no-holds-barred Hong Kong action film.
Not surprisingly, the fight scenes are crisply edited with a significant moment where the shirtless Frank Martin covers himself in motor oil while beat the crap out of the bad guys in the bus depot. At one point, he even gets creative by strapping on the ripped-off bike pedals as a makeshift pair of shoes, allowing him to slide on the slippery floor while taking them down with his roundhouse kicks.
Crank (2006)
Here’s an absurd, anything-goes action movie that defies logic, thanks to Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor’s gonzo direction in cranking up Jason Statham’s Chev Chelios, a dying hitman who got poisoned by some Chinese cocktail drug. His only chance for survival? Keep his adrenaline consistently pumping in whatever means possible, as Chev is out for vengeance against those who have wronged him.
Clocking in at just 87 minutes, Crank is best described as a race-against-the-clock action thriller with Neveldine and Taylor’s frenetic filmmaking styles reflecting Chev’s unusual condition. The directing duo rarely keeps their cameras still, always constantly on the move to the point of hyper kineticism. The action scenes are reminiscent of a wild-as-hell, live-action cartoon, with Statham’s unhinged performance particularly seals the deal.
Relentless action aside, Crank doesn’t shy away from its pitch-black humor and even goes as far as featuring an outrageous scene where Chev engages in public sex with his girlfriend, played by Amy Smart. Statham returns for another round in Crank: High Voltage, only to be greeted with distasteful moments and excessive violence that proves too much for their own good.
Wrath of Man (2021)
Wrath of Man is notable for the reunion of Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie, marking their first collaboration in sixteen years since they last collaborated in the messy crime thriller Revolver in 2005. The reunion resulted in one of the best movies for both Statham and Ritchie, where the latter took the 2004 French film Cash Truck and made it uniquely his own. He effectively combines non-linear storytelling with a revenge plot as Statham’s mysterious H, who has a hidden motive behind his job as a security guard in an armored truck company. The movie is told in chapters, with Ritchie, who also co-wrote the loosely adapted screenplay with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, prioritizing the detailed mechanics of his storytelling than rushing for the action-heavy approach.
Speaking of the action, Ritchie does a good job showcasing Statham’s agility in making his character an expert marksman capable of taking down the bad guys with pinpoint accuracy. This is particularly evident during a pickup, where the robbers attempt to steal the money, only for H to methodically gun them down one by one. The elaborate third-act heist is equally worth mentioning here, highlighting the tense yet visceral moments that lead to lots of bullet-riddled body counts, chaotic shootouts, and betrayal.
The Mechanic (2011)
A perfect vehicle for Jason Statham, oozing enough roguish charisma and stern demeanor to his elite assassin role as Arthur Bishop in The Mechanic. A remake of the 1972 film of the same name, previously played by Charles Bronson, the story centers on Arthur, who takes on the young and reckless Steve (Ben Foster) under his wing, where the latter is the son of Arthur’s best friend and mentor (Donald Sutherland).
Directed by Simon West with an engrossing screenplay from Lewis John Carlino and Richard Wenk, part of The Mechanic’s success lies in the solid mentor-protégé chemistry and contrasting personalities between Statham’s Arthur and Foster’s Steve. It certainly helps to elevate this been-there, done-that type of action movie. Not to forget, the added strong supporting roles, including Donald Sutherland and Tony Goldwyn, along with a series of impressively staged action set pieces, made The Mechanic a top-notch entertainment. Statham reprised his role five years later in Mechanic: Resurrection, and despite its box-office success, the sequel pales in comparison with the superior first film.
Safe (2012)
Writer-director Boaz Yakin brings out the best in Jason Statham, blending the action star’s signature no-nonsense tough guy persona with a heart of gold. The latter is especially true with his ex-cop character finds himself protecting a young Chinese math prodigy, played by Catherine Chan, from the Chinese triad and Russian mafia. When Safe first introduced Statham’s character, he’s a mess, and it takes a while to get to the part where he reluctantly gets involved in saving the young girl. But that doesn’t mean the earlier stretch is a waste of time as Yakin manages to establish the story and characters efficiently before the cat-and-mouse chase begins.
Once there, it’s like a race-against-time adrenaline rush as we see Statham’s character take down not only both sides of the mobs, but also the corrupted cops led by Captain Wolf (Robert John Burke). The action is taut and intense, and not to mention, Statham shares an unlikely father-figure dynamic with Catherine Chan’s spunky math genius character.
The Expendables (2010)
The idea of enlisting the old-school action stars from the 80s and 90s era for an ultimate team-up movie was refreshingly novel at the time of its release. And while Jason Statham isn’t part of the yesteryear action-star heydays, his presence in The Expendables brings a fresh addition to the already-stacked cast, covering who’s who from Sylvester Stallone to Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger in an uncredited cameo appearance.
As a second-in-command to Stallone’s Barney Ross, he manages to hold his own against the screen veterans with his signature no-nonsense, tough-guy persona that made him such a go-to action star for today’s generation. Whereas Stallone’s Barney’s expertise lies in his quick draw, Statham’s Lee is particularly skillful in hurling knives, typically a big blade that’s deadly enough to penetrate through the heart with just a single throw.
The Expendables may have been hampered by an ill-advised jittery camerawork, but it’s hard to deny the good old nostalgia fun of watching the old and current action stars involved in an insane number of shootouts, explosions, bone-breaking moments, trading quips and insults, and of course, Statham’s nimble knife-fighting prowess. The Expendables boasts a highly entertaining sequel two years later, even though the franchise took a nosedive both creatively and financially with the limp third and fourth movies.
Wild Card (2015)
Based on William Goldman’s 1985 novel Heat, which already been adapted once, starring Burt Reynolds back in 1986, Wild Card is far from the typical fast-paced action movie that we have grown accustomed to in Jason Statham’s films. In fact, the movie is only confined to three action set pieces since the story focuses heavily on the drama side, highlighting the contemplative angle surrounding Statham’s flawed character as a recovering gambling addict who’s been longing to score a $500,000 winning bet in Vegas so he can settle for a worry-free, laidback lifestyle. Of course, it’s easier said than done, especially when the story puts him through the wringer, including getting himself into trouble.
Statham proves to be the right guy to play a brooding yet troubled protagonist, making good use of his stoic personality during the movie’s many dramatic moments. Director Simon West, who is no stranger to the action genre seen in Con Air and The Expendables 2, does a good job heightening the visceral tension through a mix of stylized slo-mo, tight close-ups, and dynamic camerawork. With the help of fight choreographer Corey Yuen, he even makes every sparse action set pieces count, showcasing Statham’s improvised fighting style using everyday items in taking down the bad guys, from a credit card to kitchen utensil. And yes, he gets to do that in style with nary a scratch.
Killer Elite (2011)
Director Gary McKendry assembles not one, but three stellar cast led by Jason Statham, Robert De Niro, and Clive Owen in this high-stakes action thriller, which is supposedly inspired by a true story. Statham plays Danny Bryce, a mercenary who is forced to return after a self-imposed exile to save his kidnapped mentor, Hunter (Robert De Niro). Complicating matters is Spike Logan (Clive Owen), a former SAS operative in charge of tracking down Danny at all costs.
It’s worth noting that Killer Elite doesn’t run like your average Jason Statham movie, where McKendry’s direction highlighting on the somber character-driven storyline rather than keeping it swift with the action/stunt-heavy moments. The story may have been convoluted in places, but the movie boasts above-average performances all around. The 1980s setting allows McKendry to embrace the old-school filmmaking approach, combining the intricate thrills of an espionage thriller with gritty action set pieces. Speaking of the latter, Killer Elite doesn’t disappoint when it comes to grounded gunfights, and at one point, a messy and brutal fight scene between Statham and Owen in the hospital.
The Beekeeper (2024)
The title in question refers to Jason Statham’s character, who spends his quiet time keeping honeybees. Of course, given the fact that this is an action movie after all, no one would want to see Statham merely in his beekeeping job. He’s a man on a mission, particularly after his beloved friend (Phylicia Rashad) ends up killing herself following a scam that leaves her bankrupt.
Under the direction of David Ayer, whose filmography is synonymous with gritty action thrillers seen in the likes of Street Kings and Sabotage, it doesn’t take long before we see Statham going on an all-out revenge quest against those who are responsible for causing his friend’s death. The story itself doesn’t offer anything new, other than fulfilling the genre requirement of watching Statham use his expertise in weaponry and martial arts to take down the bad guys like a one-man killing machine.
A Working Man (2025)
Jason Statham reunites with David Ayer for another round of beat ‘em up action movie in A Working Man. Like The Beekeeper, the story is pretty much a typical Statham fare: Levon used to be a former Royal Marine Commando, who has since retired to a peaceful life working in the construction site. Trouble arises when his boss’s (Michael Peña) beloved daughter, Jenny (a spunky Arianna Rivas), goes missing, leaving Levon to revert to his old ways in making sure of bringing her back alive at all costs.
Ayer pays homage to the 1980s old-school action movie, and no doubt someone like Jason Statham fits the part perfectly. His stoic and brooding manner is put to good use here, while it’s fun to watch him use his special set of skills upon killing the bad guys. The action is tense and at times, graphically brutal, particularly a scene with the knife uses against one of the antagonists.
What are your favourite Jason Statham movies? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Casey Chong
