Who doesn’t love the smell of exhaust coming off yet another Fast and Furious film? What’s said to be the first in a trilogy finale (which could’ve easily just been Fast X, Fast XI, and Fast XII) kickstarts a high-octane adventure sure to rekindle even the most fatigued Fast fans.
If you’re behind on your Fast films, don’t worry. The movie opens with a flashback introducing you to the players and bringing you up to speed on what will be the plot in this movie. In Fast Five, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) and Brian O’ Conner (Paul Walker; Takers) steal a vault belonging to the Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes in what remains one of the best action sequences in Fast history. Hernan was killed, and we see now that his son Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa; Aquaman) survives the action and is the villain who has spent the last 12 years plotting his revenge to bring suffering to Dom.
After being lured into a false sense of security via a family BBQ and a visit from Abuelita (Rita Moreno; 80 for Brady), Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez; Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) have a tender moment before they’re interrupted by an unwanted guest —Cipher (Charlize Theron; The Old Guard).
Cipher arrives battered and bruised and warns Dom about Dante. Dom enlists the help of Little Nobody (Scott Eastwood; Suicide Squad) who informs Dom that the mission in Rome the crew just left for is a setup. So, Dom and Letty head to Rome to help the rest of the family while Aunty Mia (Jordana Brewster; The Faculty) stays behind to babysit Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry; Cheaper by the Dozen).
But with so many pieces already in play, Dom has a hard time plotting his next move. Here it’s clear, having a big family makes it that much harder to protect the ones you love. He can’t be everywhere at once and yet there’s danger around every turn.
This kickstarts the action-packed storyline that involves quite a few moving pieces. As the movie continues, the story intertwines touching characters that appear throughout the franchise. In these films, consequences are always catching up. Every movie seems to have someone’s “chickens coming home to roost.” Dom’s carefree street race lifestyle has him and those he loves reaping what he’s sown. At this time in Dom’s life, he’s the most settled he’s ever been with Letty and Little Brian, which is the big point. The action is just the vehicle to explore the significance of chosen family and the cost associated with loving others so deeply.
Momoa’s peacockish villainy steals the show. Dom has had enemies before, but none compare to this one. He delivers as a sinister meanie, completely unhinged yet adorable with purple nail polish and man buns, then would kill you with a smile on his face and skip over your corpse. His portrayal of the deranged son set to enact revenge with nothing but time and nothing to lose is what makes his recklessness that much more dangerous. Dom has everything to lose —his family. It’s easy to read Momoa’s pleasure in his role. Dante’s delight in the ashes of Dom’s life is believable. And while you never root for his success, part of you wants him to stick around purely for entertainment.
Fast X delivers a high-octane adventure that defies all laws —gravity, physics, reality – which not only makes it thrilling but infectious. Universal doesn’t attempt to shy away from the ridiculousness of these films. Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans), Fast X capitalizes on outlandish stunts that wouldn’t be possible under normal circumstances. And with a twenty-plus year’s deep franchise, bigger is always better.
There’s a balance to the ebb and flow of stakes. Still, nothing can prepare you for each moment because the action never stops. Everything is snowballing faster and faster (pun intended), which makes the rough patches in editing stand out. There are moments when it could’ve been sharper. The location jumps seemed to be as out of control as some of the stunts. There were a lot of moving pieces that tend to happen in films where fan service takes precedence over the story. There were so many surprises and cameos that the excitement of each reveal started to wane overtime.
Despite the spoiler that spread through timelines like wildfire, there were still a few welcomed surprises, including cameos by characters you’ve probably been wanting to see for a while.
The film literally just ends. There’s no way to spoil the ending because it doesn’t exactly have one. Audiences have been comparing this film to Avengers: Infinity War and while I understand that they were both culmination films, Fast X doesn’t actually have a complete ending to this first chapter. The movie moreso cuts off mid-sentence and credits roll — a very abrupt cliffhanger.
Fast X is the best ride you’ll take this year. Once it starts up, there’s no breaking. It’s the beginning of what will be an outlandish and glorious end.
Fast X is now playing in theaters.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
