‘Fast X’ Review
Stars: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren, Sung Kang, John Cena, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson | Written by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Gary Scott Thompson | Directed by Louis Leterrier
By now we should all know what to expect when we go to see a Fast and Furious film. They give us over-the-top, oftentimes ridiculous, action set pieces, and in between those set pieces will be Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) talking about family. Many people seem to have turned away from that ridiculousness, from the crazy, gravity and logic-defying moments each film gets, and instead call the films pointless. For myself, I accepted what these films are a long time ago, and if like me, you have accepted what they are too, then there is fun to be had.
Fast X brings the whole family back together, and this time they are being targeted by the vengeful son of drug kingpin Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), the villain of Fast & Furious 5. But don’t be afraid if you can’t remember that far back, the film does a good job of catching you up, in what feels like a better done version of your usual “previously on”. Right from the opening you’re reminded what kind of film you’re in for, and if you’ve come this far, it may be too late to turn back.
From that opening the film never slows down, it puts the pedal to the metal and never looks back. It’s the fast pace of not only this film, but the franchise in general, that can generate so much fun, if you’re moving a million miles an hour, you don’t really have time to stop and ask how ridiculous everything is, and everything is pretty ridiculous. More than ever things feel over the top, from the slow-motion action sequences to Jason Momoa as the film’s antagonist. The film does a great job of keeping its large cast engaging and never loses track of any individual member, and I think everyone got their own moment, in particular John Cena and Momoa. Every time Momoa was on screen he looked like he was having the most fun he’s ever had and his performance provided a new type of villain for the series that felt both refreshing and entertaining. Cena returns and is better than he was in the previous film (although I still like him in that). His character this time almost feels like a different person, and that made for some of the film’s best moments and Cena continues to prove why wrestlers turned to Hollywood make for fantastic actors.
The action is over the top and is as big as ever. Cars fall from the sky, the Vatican comes under threat, and again everyone seems partially immortal, but by now what do you expect? The film does have its faults, and the biggest for a long time has been the inclusion of “The Agency”. The top-secret government programme that has recruited Dom and his team for a number of missions. The series as a whole has always worked better when the films turn to the criminal underground, too often has the involvement of “The Agency” made the film feel like they’re trying to be something they’re not. The inclusion of the spy world gives the films a sense of the Mission Impossible series or even James Bond, and these films can never be that. Every time “The Agency” show up or have any scenes there does seem to be a disconnect to the world and almost a sense of watching two different films stitched together. For the two remaining movies we seem to be getting, I believe leaving “The Agency” behind would be the smartest move of all.
It’s safe to say if you’ve got your tickets to Fast X you know what you’re in for, and if you liked the previous films, I suspect you will like this too. It’s hard to say I didn’t have fun with this, my brain may have already been turned off when I took my seat, but if you can allow yourself to do that too, you’re in for a fun time. After all, if you’ve come this far, you’re basically part of the family.
*** 3/5
Fast X is in cinemas now.
