The Transporter 2002

In the sun-kissed Mediterranean landscape, Frank Martin (Jason Statham), an enigmatic driver known simply as “The Transporter,” has found solace in his lucrative career. A former Special Forces operative, Frank’s past is marred by memories of his time on the battlefield, leaving him disillusioned with his former leadership and seeking a fresh start. As he navigates the French coastline, Frank has carved out a reputation as the go-to driver for any package that needs to be moved from Point A to Point B, always arriving precisely on schedule. His services are sought after by individuals willing to pay top dollar for this guarantee of punctuality.

Frank’s modus operandi is governed by three cardinal rules: Rule #1 dictates that once a deal is struck, it cannot be renegotiated; Rule #2 strictly prohibits the sharing of names; and Rule #3 forbids him from opening the package he is transporting. Frank lives by these guidelines, earning himself a formidable reputation in the business.

When hired to transport “Three men, 254 kilos,” Frank’s expectations are met with a surprise arrival: four men instead of three, fresh from a daring bank heist. As tensions escalate within the group, one member meets an untimely demise at the hands of his comrades, prompting Frank to abandon his initial commitment and leave with the remaining robbers. Upon delivery to their destination, they attempt to persuade him to continue driving further into the city, but Frank remains resolute in adhering to Rule #1.

The gang’s escape plan is foiled when their getaway car crashes during a high-speed pursuit, leading to their eventual capture. Meanwhile, Inspector Tarconi (François Berléand), a close acquaintance of Frank’s, pays him a visit to inquire about the robbery, given that his make and model of car was seen at the scene. Though suspicions linger, Tarconi lacks concrete evidence linking Frank to the heist, thanks to the driver’s meticulous attention to detail in cleaning up his vehicle and changing its license plate.

Frank’s services are soon in demand again, this time from a mysterious American gangster known only as “Wall Street.” As he makes his way across France with the package in tow, Frank becomes increasingly uneasy due to the unmistakable signs of life emanating from within. However, he remains committed to his rulebook and refuses to breach Rule #3 by opening the package.

A chance flat tire forces Frank to stop and inspect his vehicle, whereupon he breaks his own rules and peels back the package’s wrapping to reveal a hidden passenger – a woman in dire need of sustenance. With a bottle of juice, Frank provides the necessary aid before delivering her safely to Point B, thus keeping faith with his client.

In this world of high-stakes transportation, Frank’s rigid adherence to his rules and codes has earned him an unparalleled reputation as “The Transporter.” Yet, as he navigates the complexities of his job, Frank finds himself repeatedly pushed to confront the gray areas between his strict guidelines and the moral ambiguities of the world around him.

As Frank reluctantly accepts Wall Street’s offer to transport a mysterious briefcase to its new location, little does he know that his life is about to take a drastic turn. Upon arriving at the destination, Frank stops at a gas station to refuel and recharge, but the briefcase has other plans. It suddenly transforms into a bomb, leaving Frank shaken but miraculously unscathed. The destruction of his vehicle serves as a wake-up call, prompting Frank to unleash his pent-up fury on Wall Street’s henchmen before making a daring escape in a stolen car.

The package he finds tied up in the back seat proves to be none other than Lai (Shu Qi), whose introduction is marked by a sense of vulnerability. As the days pass, Tarconi returns with a scorched license plate and suspicions about the housemaid’s Mercedes, only to be thwarted once again by Frank’s alibi and Lai’s support. However, the tranquility is short-lived as missiles begin raining down on Frank’s home, forcing him and Lai to flee for their lives into the city’s sewer system.

Their makeshift hideout in an apartment complex proves temporary as Tarconi tracks them down and brings them to the police station for questioning about the destruction of Frank’s property. With Lai’s quick thinking, they manage to deflect Tarconi’s probing questions, and she seizes the opportunity to hack into his computer, uncovering a treasure trove of information on Wall Street.

As Lai shares her devastating discovery with Frank - that Wall Street is involved in human trafficking, including the exploitation of her own father and family - they set out to gather evidence by tracking down the shipping docket for the containers. However, their investigation takes an unexpected turn when Wall Street reveals that Lai’s family is not among the victims but rather the masterminds behind the operation. With Tarconi closing in, Frank finds himself accused of kidnapping Lai and attempting to blackmail Wall Street, leaving him no choice but to endure imprisonment at the police station.

As Frank’s desperation intensifies at the station, he confides in Tarconi about his precarious predicament. The latter, in a surprising display of camaraderie, agrees to play along as Frank’s unwitting accomplice, posing as his captive for the authorities. With this unlikely alliance in place, Frank sets out to trail the nefarious criminals to the docks, where they’re busy loading containers onto behemoth trucks. However, Frank’s efforts to thwart their plans are foiled when he’s spotted and forced to engage in a fierce battle against the guards, ultimately failing to prevent the trucks from departing. Undeterred, Frank commandeers a small plane and makes a daring parachute jump onto one of the trucks, taking out Wall Street and several of his henchmen in the process. As he emerges from the wreckage, Frank is suddenly surrounded by Lai’s father, but their reunion is short-lived, as Lai intervenes with a shot that saves her unwitting ally from certain doom. The authorities arrive shortly thereafter, led by Tarconi, who helps bring an end to the chaos and facilitates the rescue of those trapped inside the containers. As Frank and Lai work together to load the survivors into ambulances, the film reaches its satisfying conclusion.