CRANK’s a high-octane, pulse-pounding (and several other adjectives) actioner that moves at blinding speed, delivering enough juice to last you several weeks. And it’s funny.

Chev Chelios (now there’s a catchy name), is a hitman who awakens to a throbbing head and a bad feeling - he’s right on both counts. Having been injected with a deadly poison intended as a slow death, the only thing that can keep his ticker from falling asleep is adrenaline. Needless to say, Chelios uses everything in his power to keep the rushes flowing - from speed chases to suicidal shootouts, picking fights in bad neighbourhoods to having public sex in Chinatown with his girlfriend, all in the span of an hour, just so that he could get the antidote, and even out with the man behind his predicament. In the situation that Chelios is, I bet even Woody Allen could turn lethal.

The entire film has been shot in video game mode, with quick jerky camera movements, and things happening at the speed of a mouse-click. People with short attention spans will be mighty pleased, and the regular folks will just have to hold on to their bladder lest they miss something.

Directing duo Mark Neveldine & Brain Taylor display a passionate flair for the genre, embellishing the proceedings with a heavy metal score, and using every possible technical flourish known to them.

Although shot on a mere $15 million budget, the film bears a slick and stylish look, and feels visually flawless. Wonder what they could’ve done with a Bruckheimer budget.

Acting department, Jason Statham delivers the requisite chops as Chelios, a man in a race against death, with too much to do and very little time. Amy Smart as his ditzy girlfirend lends capable support. Efren Ramirez in a direct departure from the icnonic Pedro (NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE), is too brief to register any impact as Chelios’ loyal aide. Others lend serviceable support.

DURATION: 87 mins.

MPAA RATING: R for strong violence, pervasive language, sexuality, nudity and drug use.

CAST: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Efren Ramirez

DIRECTOR: Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor