Admit One 4/17: Get Cranked

It’s finally here, Crank: High Voltage.  Statham is back to unleash another round of mayhem, murder and debauchery onto the city of LA.  There’s also the political thriller “State of Play” with Russell Crowe and a movie that answers the question, “What could be worse than Matthew Perry?”  The answer?  Zac Efron playing Matthew Perry.

State of Play

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels

Directed by: Kevin MacDonald

Plot: A congressman and a reporter are caught up in murderous conspiracy perpetrated by some of the most powerful people in government.

Rotten Tomatoes Freshness: 84%

Critic Consensus: “A taut, well-acted political thriller, State of Play overcomes some unsubtle plot twists with an intelligent script and swift direction.”

17 Again

Starring: Zac Effron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon

Directed by: Burr Steers

Plot: Mike O’Donnell is magically transformed back into his 17 year old self and life lessons are learned, I guess.

RT Freshness: 68% (huh?)

Critic Consensus :Though it uses a well-worn formula, 17 Again has just enough Zac Efron charm to result in a harmless, pleasurable teen comedy.”

Pick of the Week

Crank: High Voltage

Starring: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Clifton Collins, Efren Ramirez

Directed by: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Plot: Chev Chelios somehow survives his fall from a helicopter but gets kidnapped by Chinese mobsters who remove his heart and replace it with a crappy mechanical replacement.  Now Chev must try to get his old heart back while keeping his body electrically charged to keep the replacement working.

RT Freshness: 71%

IGN UK: “The Stath is pretty much the most bankable name in action movies today, and his unhinged work in High Voltage, indulging in an explosion of murder and mayhem with gusto and glee, should certainly see him retain that title.”