The Transporter 3 (2008/Lionsgate Blu-ray + DVD)

 

Picture: A-/B     Sound: A-/B     Extras: B+     Film: C

 

 

For as much as I love Jason Statham and Audi cars, the two just can’t seem to get the combination right, even after three tries.  The latest failed attempt is the third installment in the Transporter series, simply called Transporter 3, which has been released through Lionsgate and the change of studio and director only marginally improve things.  Here we get more of the same as Statham plays Frank Martin who must take a mysterious passenger to a dangerous location and is hyped up with more silly action sequences and various plot twists that you can see a mile coming, regardless of what vehicle you might be driving! 

 

Fans of the franchise though will not be disappointed with the presentation though on Blu-ray, which runs rings around the DVD edition.  Both contain a digital copy of the film, but the Blu-ray boasts a pleasing 1080p High Definition transfer and framed at 2.35 X 1.  The transfer is constantly sharp looking with defined edges and plenty of detail throughout, colors are warm and stunning and this is perhaps one of the best action films that we have seen with a consistent transfer on Blu-ray.  What I particular like about the transfer is that it still has a film-like quality, but when compared to the anamorphically enhanced standard definition DVD you can see so much more depth, detail, resolution, and refinement that showcase the benefits of Blu-ray in more ways than one. 

 

Likewise the audio has been upgraded for the Blu-ray over the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mix on the DVD.  The Blu-ray features the film in an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 that thumps throughout the entire film.  Action scenes are life-like and every explosion or gunshot rings through the mix with impressive fidelity and with such a realistic feel.  The music is also pumped up and delivers a solid underscore to the over-the-top action sequences, which will give any home theater system a real workout, especially if you are using two discreet middle rear channels to take full use of the 7.1 mix.  The 5.1 EX mix on the DVD is disappointing by comparison as it feels so weak and forward sounding that it doesn’t do the film justice like the Blu-ray. 

 

Extras are stacked for this release as well with commentary by director Olivier Megaton, behind the scenes footage, a featurette, storyboards and production details, making of, special effects featurette, and a MoLog BD live application that allows you to insert text, shapes, audio and other graphics into the film and create blogs to share with other users.  This feature is exclusive to the Blu-ray only, but the other supplements are identical on the DVD. 

 

While Transporter 3 might not be the most original film ever made, it’s certainly a better film that the previous two and Lionsgate delivers the goods to Blu-ray and DVD, even thought the Blu-ray is the real winner with exceptional audio and video qualities that fans will be drooling over.

 

 

-   Nate Goss