F9: THE FAST SAGA:
NINTH INSTALLMENT GETS EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS AND CHAOTIC THAN EVER BEFORE, AND FANS WILL LOVE IT BECAUSE OF THAT!
By Nico Beland
Movie Review: *** out of 4
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel-Riddick trilogy, XXX 1 and 3, Marvel Cinematic Universe) and his crew are back in F9, the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise and first to be directed by Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, Annapolis, Star Trek Beyond) since 2013’s Fast & Furious 6. Hard to believe this franchise managed to get nine films that seem to push the envelope further each and every time, and even more so after the unfortunate passing of Paul Walker (Who portrayed Brian O’Conner from 2001 until 2013), but unlike something like the Michael Bay Transformers or Pirates of the Caribbean franchises, I haven’t gotten tired of this speed team’s wild antics just yet and they seem to go bigger for the right reasons whenever a sequel comes out.
The first few films have been about street racing with mostly flat characters that have its fans but aren’t nearly the crazy powerhouses of the later films (From Fast Five to onward). I enjoyed the first film from 2001 fine enough, but it wasn’t until 2011’s Fast Five when I really got into the franchise as that was the film that breathed new life into the series and gave it a formula that worked with a heist movie edge and showcasing delightfully ridiculous action sequences, a formula in which the sequels followed which I like because speed racing is nice, but I prefer to have a little more plot under the hood as well.
Anyway, F9 continues in that formula and cranks it up to infinity, and keep in mind, this is a series known for trying to outdo each other whenever a sequel is released. Classic moments such as the bank vault chase from Fast Five, jumping across a bridge to avoid a tank blast in Fast & Furious 6, chasing a weaponized drone in the streets in Furious 7, and even driving away from a submarine being controlled by a terrorist in The Fate of the Furious.
The best way I can describe this movie is imagine the drone chase from Furious 7 if it was on the steroids and the entirety of the movie. To that, I thank the filmmakers because despite its flaws I had a blast. To me, this is kind of stupid I’m looking for and not only does it deliver, but it also manages to literally take the franchise higher than ever before (To the point where a fan theory officially becomes true and canon to its predecessors.
The film follows Dominic “Dom” Toretto and his wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez-Resident Evil, Avatar,Machete) living happily with their son, Brian but their happiness is cut short when Dom receives a message from teammates, Roman (Tyrese Gibson-Transformers franchise, Death Race, Morbius) and Tej (Chris “Ladacris” Bridges). It turns out Dom’s brother, Jakob (John Cena-The Marine, Bumblebee, The Suicide Squad) has teamed up with cyberterrorist, Cipher (Charlize Theron-Monster, Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde) and is now out for vengeance against Dom due to something from their past. So, Dom must reunite his crew and go on one last ride to stop Jakob and Cipher and save the world
The film also stars Jordana Brewster (All My Children, The Faculty, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) reprising her role as Mia Toretto, Nathalie Emmanuel (Twenty8k, Game of Thrones, Maze Runner 2 and 3) reprising her role from Furious 7 and Fate of the Furious as Ramsay, Helen Mirren (The Queen, State of Play, RED 1 and 2) reprising her role as Madalene and Shaw, Kurt Russell (Death Proof, The Hateful Eight, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2) reprising his role as Mr. Nobody, Sung Kang (Better Luck Tomorrow, Power, Raya and the Last Dragon) reprising his role as Han Lue, and Lucas Black (American Gothic, Sling Blade, Jarhead) reprising his role from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift as Sean Boswell.
Overall, F9 is delightfully silly and continues in the tradition of bringing some of the most ridiculous stunts and chase sequences you’ll ever see to the big screen. You really have to go in expecting something stupid and goofy or be a fan of the rest of the series and if that’s your cup of tea then fans will be greeted by a very entertaining ride with just the right amount of cheese.
However, as goofy as this film is, it does at least try to have some tender moments, specifically the origins of Dom and Jakob and the film taps into something none of the earlier films never really explored, Dom’s past and what his relationship with his father and sibling were like before everything went down and finally explains the whole wrench incident that landed him in prison, all of which I thought were very interesting and the kids playing younger versions of Dom and Jakob do a solid job.
The action sequences are spectacular and some of the craziest in the entire series, cars flying in the air, cars with giant magnets inside them, and even one of the most talked about things ever on the internet regarding both this film and the series as a whole. I won’t give it away here, but if you have seen the movie or know about the most memed and referenced moment then guess what? They do it!
F9 continues to deliver all the overblown, cheesy goodness the series is known for while also sneaking in a few somber and heartfelt moments. If you’re a fan of the series then this is one not to be missed, grab your buddies, get in your car, grab your Corona, and experience Fast’s highly anticipated return.
Though, I will admit I have no idea how they’re going to top this with two more movies announced because where else can you go when your last movie includes cars getting sucked into a giant magnet attached to another car and flung into other cars or buildings, Vin Diesel and John Cena fighting each other practically like superheroes, and a climax that takes place somewhere you wouldn’t expect to see Fast & Furious characters go? At this point, you might as well just say “F-it” and give Dom and his team superpowers in the next one, I would totally see Fast 10 right away if that’s the case.
F9 cranks up the silliness to eleven for our amusement and I guarantee you’ll leave the theater with a big, dumb smile on your face. It’s stupidity done right and I’ll gladly watch it again on the big screen.
From the blog www.moviewatchinpsychopath.blogspot.com
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