not for kids
Grisly, gory, over-the-top action-parody isn't for kids.
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.
- 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, comedicaction/violence and going too far -- what happens when the audiencestops laughing? Who decides what "too far" is?
The good stuff
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Messages: This is is a vengeance-fueled tale of monstrous indifference toward human life and all possible dignity; while it's all done as an over-the-top exercise in excessive, stylized "fun," it's hard to imagine the satire being the main thing that audiences take away here.
What to watch for
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Violence: Constant brutal, bloody violence; characters fall gruesomely from great heights and are shot (with brains, guts, and other gore splattering), beaten, battered, struck with batons and truncheons, stabbed, hit with stun guns and electric cattle prods, and more. Standout moments of extreme violence include the lead character repeatedly electrocuting himself to re-charge his artificial heart; a shootout in a strip club in which a woman is shot in her breast implants (which ooze and leak); the tip of a man's elbow being cut off with a machete as an act of torture; a woman being struck by a car; a man being beaten into submission, then having a shotgun forcibly shoved into his nether regions; a criminal cutting his own nipples off with a knife as an act of atonement, and a character literally burning alive. There's also extensive medical imagery related to the main character's heart condition.
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Sex: Extensive nudity, including countless scenes featuring female breasts; some scenes show male buttocks, and there are even a few moments featuring animal genitalia. Sex scenes include lots of positions, with theparticipants in front of a massed crowd. Scenes take place in a strip club, where topless women are ogled. They're also seen involved in mortal danger and bloody violence.
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Language: Constant strong language, including (but by no means limited to) "f--k," "motherf----r," 'c--t," "c--k," "c--ksucker," "s--t," "p---y," "p--s," "bastard," "dick," "bitch," "oh my God," "Jesus," "ass," "bulls--t," and more. Slurs like "beaner," "chink," "oriental" and the "N" word are used as well, as are "slut," "whore," "faggot," "vaginal," "gay," "pubes," "wanker," and more.
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Consumerism: Some mentions of brands/products -- Mercedes, New Balance, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink beer, wine and liquor and smoke cigars and cigarettes. A supporting character's home is littered with prescription drug bottles.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
A Honest Evaluation of This Garbage. by Kyle_Adkins
I honestly don't know where to begin...
We'll start with the plot line.. Oh.. wait. There was none. Guess I'll be skipping this paragraph.
Next up we'll move onto the "Action". I honestly think I would have rather watched someone put 2 Million dollars of special effects into playing with sand. It would have been 3x more interesting and probably 2x more action-packed. They even got to a point where they skipped the "Action" and substituted it with cardboard "Godzilla" figurines of themselves and battled in slow motion. I guess hard working actors like Jason needs a day off sometimes, though... Right?
As for Jason's performance, He has the acting range of a rock. I've never seen such a vibrant display of nothing. It's almost like he's mean-mugging my soul.
I want my money back Jason. I'm going to write my Congressman.
5
Perfect for action lovers by tionio07
I just got done screening this film for tomorrow. I did not see the first one and although there were several references to the first one, I did not feel lost, they provided enough back story throughout the movie (so don't worry if you haven't seen the first one). I love that it didn't try to be too serious (Loved the Godzilla spoof). There is an extreme amount of violence and language and copious nudity, but what else would you expect from an R rated action flick. This is an absolute must see for action fans!
5
Hilarious by pliable
There are many, many people who simply don't get this movie. Which is hilarious in itself, because there is really nothing to get. The point is to just be as ridiculous and over the top as possible. It's supposed to be a brainless guy movie. And they do exactly that, which is why I give this a Must GO!
Go into this movie thinking it's absolutely brainless, and a great comedy, and you will come out greatly satisfied.
5
Dark Comedy at it's Best by TPJR
What people seemingly fail to realize about this movie as well as the first is that it's a comedy. A dark, bloody, action-filled comedy, but a comedy none-the-less... It's hilarious, and it gets its money's worth out of that R rating. I can't believe it gets away with just an "R;" language, nudity, gore, sex, violence, shotgun rape! Crank 2 has it all, well, except for a plot. But if you're going to see a movie like this for its plot, face it, you're an idiot. It's about having fun, and if you know that, then you'll love this one. Do not bring the kids!!!
4
Five Word Review by redyeah
hate-admitting i love mindless action
5
Great actor, Great movie by carlors
Two words describe this movie creative and awesome. This movie is nothing but action, sex and humor, and people this movie is rated R that means it?s for anyone over 18 years of age so people please stop saying this movie is too violent or theirs too much sex in it. Highly recommend this movie to any one who loves action, keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end, It's worth the money, you got to love Statham.
5
most sequels suck by cheesedip
crank: high voltage, however, most decidedly does not. it's one of the best action movies ever, and yet another great example of why jason statham is the action star for our age. we don't deserve his awesomeness but it's been given to us and therefore we should worship at his feet, for all the rest of our days.
4
exactly what it promises. by dtwiner
This movie is fantastic. When i wasn't laughing, I was held over by some great action sequences. There were some moments that were beyond ridiculous, but that's kind of the premise of the movie, it's not at all to be taken seriously. Crank knows exactly what kind of a movie it is, and it delivers perfectly.
4
Crank High Voltage by GDubbya
To me, this movie was an live action cartoon on steroids. This movie was nonstop action as the main character was trying to locate the person who took his heart. I never saw the first movie so at first, I didn't understand but as I continued watching it and watch the characters get hit by cars preceded by the main character played by Jason Statham fall out of the sky landing on a car and survives, I immediately thought of Wile E. Coyote. I enjoyed the movie overall and thought they had the right actors playing these characters.
If you want to escape from reality for 90 or so minutes, go check this out.
5
Crank is just as explosively insane as you'd hope! by Babymordred121
This movie is just awesome! It's a completely beautiful portrayal of a relentless man bent solely on obtaining his goal. Statham's portrayal of Chev is just hysterical; the only times he isn't raging against his innumerable adversaries is when he's stumbling around screaming at people to electrocute him!
I hate how everybody is complaining about how the plot isn't deep enough for them; it's exactly as deep as it was intended to be! Chev's goal is simple and so are his methods. There is no excuse for him to sit down at some point and give a massive, heart-throbbing tale of his childhood, since its completely out of character for him to do so! The only emotion he feels toward his enemies (rage) he expresses often and with extreme prejudice, and that's all anyone should expect or honestly wish to see while watching a film like "Crank: High Voltage."