DVDs out tomorrow.

Byline: Mickey McMonagle

TRANSPORTER 3 ( 15) Jason Statham has made a healthy career out of playing a low-rent James Bond type.

This, his flagship role, is known for ludicrously over the top action sequences with all the realism of Toy Story, but thanks to a new director this time there's a grittier, slightly more plausible feel.

Yes, Statham's Frank Martin is still the hardest man on the planet and yes, hapless goons still stand helpfully still in a neat circle around him waiting to be booted senseless. But he doesn't seem blessed with the skills of Superman in this film. Not quite, anyway.

The plot is the usual rubbish - Ukrainian government type Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbe) has been forced to allow the shipping of toxic waste by the bad guys, who make Martin drive the official's daughter Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) across country to ensure his co-operation. And in case Martin decides to do one, he is wearing a bracelet which will explode if he moves too far from his car.

Like I said, it's only a little more realistic. Great stunts abound as expected and Statham plays the grizzled hardman with a heart buried somewhere under his gruff exterior.

Don't expect a masterclass in acting, writing or realism, but look out for director Olivier Megaton - he may sound like a rubbish Transformer but he has breathed new life into a tired franchise.

AMERICAN DAD SEASON 4 ( 15) If you like controversial, adult animated comedies, you can't beat this ingenious effort from the creators of Family Guy.

And while that programme seems to be going downhill a little at the moment, American Dad is getting better and better. The cartoon follows the lives of

CIA man Stan Smith, his wife Francine, kids Steve and Hayley, booze-guzzling alien Roger and Klaus, a German prisoner in the body of a goldfish. Yes, it is slightly out there.

The plots are utterly ludicrous but then that's kind of the point. The humour is razor-sharp and just as cutting - anyone and everyone is lampooned viciously. If you're at all PC or easily offended, run a mile.

Mickey McMonagle

CIA man Stan puts a brave face on it

CAPTION(S):

Natalya leads Statham on a merry dance