Jason Statham may be out, but little has changed in the European action adventure Transporter series, though that’s not necessarily a good thing.

British actor Ed Skrein takes over the role of Frank Martin, one that was assumed by Mr. Statham across three stylish action films of diminishing returns. The suits are still well-tailored, the car still sleek and sexy, and the action still frenetic and violent.

Set in the French Riviera, with plenty of scenic aerials and pretty women, Transporter Refueled has our dashing and deft courier involved in a convoluted story about a prostitution ring run by an old associate. While Frank is dealing with transporting three women trying to escape this vile businessman, he is also trying to take care of his father (Ray Stevenson), who also happens to have had the same sort of shady job his son has taken up.

Written and directed by Camille Delamarre, Transporter often runs adrift with nonsensical plot conveniences. It cares far more, and does a better job indeed, with placing its new hero in a room outnumbered by baddies to bloodily, exhaustingly dispatch.

And in case you’re unsure who the enemies are, and just what is going on, a script offers the dumbest possible dialogue to help guide you should your attention wander off, which it will at times. In the first act, the film even goes so far as to flashback to an (frivolous) opening sequence set 15 years prior to the main storyline.

It sure does look good though. While the Riviera looms in the background, Skrein gives a smoldering stare and a charming smile, while his clients, three women who have donned the same blonde wigs and black dresses so as not to be identified, occupy the attractive yet mostly helpless female roles. They frequently undress to their knickers, and Skrein removes his shirt; it’s all part of a film that looks great but does little else.

[star v=25]