“The Transporter 2” is an absolutely absurd, silly and rather illogical action film. It also proves to be quite entertaining.

This sequel to the 2002 film that really wasn’t much of a box office success is so unapologetically over the top that it is easy to forgive the film’s many flaws and just enjoy it for its sheer goofiness.

The film begins with former mercenary Frank Martin (Jason Statham), AKA “The Transporter” on his latest assignment as a chauffeur for a government official’s son.

When the boy is kidnapped as part of a ploy to unleash a biological weapon on all the world’s dignitaries, Frank leaps into action.

Statham’s performance is solid in a James Bond sort of way. It’s almost like he’s playing the straight guy to the sea of laugh out loud comically violent villains – including a female assassin (Kate Nauta) whose wardrobe consists of lingerie, guns and nothing else.

Director Louis Leterrier, who also directed the recent Jet-Li film “Unleashed,” does a great job of keeping the film moving briskly from one action sequence to another and not allowing the audience to ponder some serious questions about the plot. (How can an airborne virus be contained so easily? What are the chances that a man can successfully jump from a speeding car onto the landing gear of a plane? Did 20th Century Fox not care that the screenplay was basically a rip-off of the studio’s 2004 hit “Man on Fire?”)

Despite its many faults, I still found myself enjoying “The Transporter 2.” I mean come on, who doesn’t want to see a half-naked supermodel blow stuff up.

It’s certainly not the kind of film that will be remembered come award season, but it is entertaining for what it is – a popcorn flick that finds just the right mixture of action, violence, and unintentional laughs.

A discount no more

This is normally where I would provide a discount dandy (or dud) of the week, but since tonight is the final night of operation for the Plaza 6 there won’t be much to recommend.

I do want to take a couple of moments to say that I will miss the Plaza, and not just because it made my columns fit the required length for publication.

As a Bowling Green native who practically grew up in a movie theater, the Plaza has a special place in my memories. It is where I experienced “Grease” and “Star Wars” for the first time as a young child. During my high school days, it was my weekly hangout spot (pathetic I’ll admit) – where I got my first taste of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and where I got to see the most underrated movie ever – Prince’s “Under the Cherry Moon” (It’s supposed to be a comedy, people).

Then in the late-’90s it was my place of employment – I managed the theater for almost three years. In that span I saw everything we ever showed, from “Boogie Nights” and “Trainspotting” to “The Lawnmower Man 2” and “Spice World.”

The discount dandy may be dead, but with its demise comes the birth of a new feature. Beginning next week I will feature one of the newest DVD releases – whether it is a recent blockbuster, or one of those small films that never quite found its way to Bowling Green.

Hopefully, it will help you and your family find the right choice for the upcoming weekend – as well as give me a chance to inflict my warped taste on all my readers.

– Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton wants you to share your favorite moments of the Plaza 6. Were you there the night someone threw eggs on the screen in theater No. 5? Did you knock down the mini-marquee over theater No. 3 down the hall? If so drop him an e-mail at mcompton@bgdailynews.

The Transporter 2

Starring: Jason Statham, Amber Valletta

Director: Louis Leterrier

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, sexual content, partial nudity and brief language

Playing at: Great Escape 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B-