The Final Cut: A Closer Look At Underclassman, The Transporter 2

This week, The Final Cut takes a closer look at two of Friday’ releases- Underclassman, with Nick Cannon; and The Transporter 2, with Jason Statham.  Also in theaters this weekend are The Constant Gardener with Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, A Sound of Thunder with Edward Burns and Ben Kingsley, and in limited release, Margaret Cho: Assassin- the comedienne’s fourth concert movie.  As always, if you’ve had the opportunity to see one of this weeks’ releases feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts on it.  You can catch The Final Cut’s recommendations after the jump…

Underclassman

Starring: Nick Cannon, Roselyn Sanchez, Shawn Ashmore, Angelo Spizzirri

“Nick Cannon stars in this comedy thriller as a 24-year-old police detective who takes no small amount of ribbing from his fellow officers for his boyish looks. His appearance, however, lands him a plumb assignment at a posh private high school, where he discovers the students are operating an underground business stealing and selling luxury cars.”

Seeing previews for this film, it looked like it might be half decent and slightly entertaining, but after reading a few online reviews for this film it’s become apparent that I’m quite wrong.  The writing for this film, by David T. Wagner and Brent Goldberg seems to be extraordinarily bad, with a lot of the quips being recycled from other films.  The storyline also places the characters in crazy, off the wall scenarios, and unfortunately there’s nothing director Marcos Siega can do to help the film recover from the foolishness that is the script.  While the film is well paced, it is lacking in so many areas that it’s not even worth the time it’d take you to get dressed and drive to the theater.  Still need more convincing about how bad the film is?  How’s this…over at Rotten Tomatoes this film has a whopping 5% on the Tomatometer.  It looks to me like Underclassman should never have graduated to the big screen, so do yourself a favor and stay away from this one.

The Transporter 2

Starring: Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta, Katie Nauta

“Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is a former special forces officer who will transport anything anywhere for a price, and his latest assignment is acting as chauffeur for Jack Billings (Hunter Clary), the young son of politician Jefferson Billings (Matthew Modine), who has garnered no small amount of controversy for his aggressive efforts to stamp out the trade in illegal drugs. One day, Frank is to take Jack to the doctor for a checkup while his mother Audrey (Amber Valetta) sets up a birthday party for the tyke. However, Jack’s doctor is not who he appears to be—he’s actually Dimitri (Jason Flemyng), a Russian agent well versed in viruses who works with criminal kingpin Gianni (Alessandro Gassman). Dimitri and Gianni inject Jack with a deadly and easily spread virus, and demand a massive ransom from Jefferson if they are to supply the kid with the antidote. When Frank learns what has happened to young Jack, he sets out to find the culprits and bring them down, though his foes have stacked the deck so it looks as if Frank has been complicit in the crime.”

If you’re looking to go see a film with a great plot that is 100% believable at all times this Labor Day weekend, then it would probably be in your best interest to pass this popcorn movie up.  If you’re looking to head to the theater to see an entertaining film that’ll keep you happy for your two hour stay, make sure you buy your ticket for this film.  The sequal to 2002’s Transporter, this movie from writer/director Luc Besson might not be as logical as you’d like, but you’ll be so ridiculously entertained by all the action in this film, you most likely won’t mind it one little bit.  Statham is great as he reprises his role of Frank Martin, and Besson does a pretty good job with the direction he gives this film.  This is one nationwide release I would suggest you see this weekend, so whether you’re heading to the theater Friday night with some friends, or planning to catch a Labor Day flick on Monday, make sure you catch this film soon!