Who are these new guys? Co-directors-screenwriters Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor have single-handedly with "Crank" changed the action landscape. Everything looks old and staid now that I've seen "Crank." It's got everything: ultra brutality, casual cruelty (the only kind!), inappropriate language and public sex, male nudity, and some very, very funny scenes. And, it has Jason Statham! Why Lionsgate sneaked this into theaters without promotional or press screenings is beyond me.

This movie – without advertising and a decent trailer – needs heavy word of mouth. See this movie and tell your friends.

Chelios (Statham) is a hit man who is given a Chinese cocktail injection by a rival madman named Verona (Jose Pablo Cantillo). He has 60 minutes to live. He is told there is no antidote. The poison will kill him unless he keeps his adrenaline on high. His personal kinky physician Doc Miles (Dwight Yoakam), who just happens to be flying back to L.A. from a sex vacation, calmly tells him he has to get ephedrine and to meet him at the hospital.

But first, Chelios wants to get to Verona. So he goes on a nihilistic spree through Los Angeles destroying property, kicking old people, killing and stealing – all intended to keep his adrenaline revved up. He gulps Red Bull, snorts cocaine, and drinks some unknown African potion! And he is irresistible in his fury and rage-filled odyssey. After killing Verona's brother (nobody dies except by a hacking or some other method I hid my eyes from), Chelios knows they are coming for his girlfriend, the clueless Eve (Amy Smart).

Since Eve thinks Chelios is a computer geek, she has a hard time believing he is a hit man with an hour to live. So naturally, she follows him.

Neveldine and Taylor do not disappoint! This is a roller coaster romp through the streets of Los Angeles. The graphics, the maps, the subtitles are terrific. The ending is brilliant! How satisfying and how un-Hollywood of them! Nothing about "Crank" is by-the-book and they pump the film with high-fever split screens and fast-paced maniacal editing. And they were very clever to give "Crank" the best use of music tie-in. Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" was perfectly placed!

There will be no "Crank" sequel, but Stratham no longer has to rely on his "Transporter" franchise. "Crank" should push Stratham to the top of all Hollywood director's wish lists.