Jason Statham - Not Your Average Action Hero

Jason Statham is not exactly an average action-movie star, though he has starred in quite a few action movies and co-starred in an action film with a certified member of IGN's Action Hero Hall of Fame, Sylvester Stallone.

Statham has starred in numerous films and acted in several notable ensemble films directed by Guy Ritchie(Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Snatch). His most memorable and well-received parts have come in those British films, which each fall somewhere between the genres of drama, action, and comedy.

As an action-movie star Jason Statham has had success with his adrenaline-fueled revenge movies, playing Chev Chelios in the Crank movies, as well as playing Frank Martin in the Transporter filmseries. Yet, this success has been less than phenomenal.

If sequels are a clear measure of achievement at the box office, then Statham's Crank series can certainly be called a success. However, many mediocre films have found their way to sequels.

With his background as a world champion athlete (British National Diving team), Statham is a natural physical choice for the action movie lead. However, he has much more talent to offer than can be conveyed by the glib, traditional action hero character that it seems a shame to see him in the "shoot-em-ups" he has recently done.

Statham's gravity and charm are always on display in his films, which is why one expects more from his movies. Maybe the "action hero" role is not the perfect fit for him.

In a 2010 film, The Expendables, Statham joins forces with Sylvester Stallone, the quintessential action hero. This may be a great opportunity to compare the two actors and find out if Statham is really cut out to be an action guy.

Though he doesn't lack the characteristics of an action star, Statham's savior faire remains largely untapped in the traditional action hero role. He's got the muscle and the square jaw to rival Dwayne Johnson (aka Rock), but his star turns behind the wheel of the gunship action movie have been something of a let down.

Perhaps, like Dwayne Johnson, Statham will find a way to move into roles with a bit more meat to them than the ones he has taken up so far in the action genre.

Johnson went from professional wrestling to The Scorpion King to Walking Tall in a series of moves that let him flex less while maintaining that particular badass air.

Statham has gone the opposite route. Moving from Snatch to Crank, his parts have become less nuanced and less interesting, with the exception of The Bank Job, where Statham's charm and personality are fully utilized.

Though his use of profanity remains top-notch and his accent is uber-entertaining, Statham's characters have become less so.

Sources:
Yahoo Movies
IMDb.com