Relegated to comic relief is Francois Berleand as French police detective Tarconi, who became Frank's unlikely ally in the original movie and now is such pals with the transporter that he comes to Florida to visit him on vacation.

Sadly, the steely, likable Statham gives his all in "Transporter 2" but is let down at every turn by the filmmakers, who strand him in a silly story with cardboard characters and outlandish action, including a couple of car stunts that would be beyond belief in a Looney Tunes short.

Many of the visuals are so cheesy — particularly a climactic scene of a jetliner nose-diving — the special-effects department should send personal notes of apology to action fans everywhere.

Cory Yuen, who directed "The Transporter," returns in a supporting role to choreograph the martial arts, a series of bone-crunchingly repetitive fight sequences that look like outtakes from the first movie.

Besson and company have the gall to end "Transporter 2" with the hint of another installment. Fans need to refuse this package, delivering the message that they've moved on and left no forwarding address.

"Transporter 2" is rated PG-13 intense sequences of violent action, sexual content, partial nudity and brief language. Running time: 88 minutes.