Crank: High Voltage

Chelios wakes up to a life threatening punchline: a ruthless Chinese mobster has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery powered ticker that must be jolted back to life every few moments. The search to reclaim what was taken becomes a street level war as he follows a reckless trail through a city that never slows down. Each heartbeat is a countdown and every jolt of electricity buys him time, forcing him to push his body to its breaking point and outsmart a relentless foe. The result is a relentless sequence of stunts, high speed chases and bold improvised fixes that makes the adrenaline dominant from start to finish.

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, Crank High Voltage is a direct sequel to Crank that keeps up the same wild energy and stylized visuals. The film arrived in 2009 as a fast, frenetic action ride that aims to thrill rather than to twist.

Box office: worldwide gross reported at about 34.6 million against a 20 million budget, reflecting a solid return for a midrange action sequel that aimed for high tempo over polish. The strong word of mouth among action fans helped it perform steadily overseas.

Crank High Voltage is known for its kinetic style, treating action as a nonstop heartbeat rather than a sequence. Fans recall fever pitch editing, neon drenched streets, and Statham's relentless resolve. It influenced later stylized thrillers that chase intensity at breakneck speed, pushing directors toward more audacious visual gambits.

Critics were mixed, praising the sheer energy and Jason Statham's physical commitment while often faulting the thin plot and gratuitous violence. The film probes themes of survival, loyalty and personal agency under pressure, set against a neon soaked urban landscape that amplifies chaos and grit, inviting audiences to suspend disbelief.