Review: Fast & Furious 6

 

It's an extreme rarity, if not unprecedented, that a film franchise get better and more profitable as the series goes on.

Yes, the Star Wars franchise or even perhaps Indiana Jones had extremely profitable films in recent times, but both critics and audiences were less than enthusiastic about the newer installments compared to the earlier ones.

That is certaintly not the case with Universal's now monster-like, Fast & Furious franchise.

Since Vin Diesel returned to the series in 2009 with the 4th entry, Fast & Furious (along with all the original cast members), the car racing series has successful transitioned into something more: a full-fledged action franchise that attracts every demographic possible, from males to females, from whites to urban youths.

With 2011's Fast Five earning the best reviews for any film in the series along with the addition of Dwayne Johnson, the entry led to over $600 million worldwide with high anticipation for this year's Fast & Furious 6 (or as titled in the opening credits, Furious 6).

This 6th film also marks the return of Michelle Rodriguez, who we were led to believe was dead in the 4th film, only to be teased in an after-credits sequence in Fast Five as being alive.

The film begins with the whole crew living the good life with their $100 million each payday from the Rio job.  Dom is with Elena, Brian and Mia just welcomed their baby, and Roman, Tej, Han, and Giselle are all on easy street as well.  Things get complicated though when Dwayne Johnson's Hobbs shows up on Dom's doorstep, needing help with taking down international criminal, Owen Shaw (played decently by up-and-comer Luke Evans).  Dom isn't at all interested in helping Hobbs until Samoan Thor (you'll get that joke if you've seen the film) reveals Letty is still alive and helping Shaw's crew.  Dom decides to get his crew back together to take down Shaw and bring Letty 'home'.

Not wanting to go into more specifics of the film's plot - as its best discovered for your own viewing pleasure - I'll cover what seems to work about this entire film, and my one complaint that doesn't.

As far as action, FF6 tops Fast Five in nearly every way.  There's great action set pieces, well-done choreographed and realistic fight scenes, and probably in terms of visuals, the best job director Justin Lin has done with this franchise (Lin's directed the past four films including 2006's franchise outcast, Tokyo Drift, though stay tuned after the last scene to see how this all connects).

Also in terms of story and character development, pretty much every actor here is given their own time to shine and sub plot to work with (surprisingly, Vin Diesel seemed to take a backseat throughout the middle of the film only to be rewarded with the big finale at the end).  Paul Walker is finally given something to do as well and shows off some impressive fight skills along with Tyrese seemingly stealing the show with his great comedic timing.  

My only complaint against the flick is the almost unrealistic, over-the-top action.  I mean, I get it.  Each film has to outdo the one that came before it.  However, the liberties taken with keeping this franchise grounded in reality is all but thrown out the window in two specific scenes, one involving Dom saving Letty, the other taking place on what is obviously the longest flight runway known to mankind.

Any negativity aside, Fast & Furious 6 is a damn good action film and succeeds in topping Fast Five in almost every way, though I think the latter was just a better film, overall.

This franchise is obviously in the best shape it's ever been with it's near $120 million four-day weekend holiday take, along with close to $300 million worldwide.

Fast & Furious 7 is already set for July 11th next year with new director James Wan (Saw, Insidious) at the helm (great choice) and a new supervillian played by a very famous action star set to take the big stage.

Overall: A-

Comments

[Philip Alderson]

Fast and Furious 8 will be epic. I am so eagerly waiting for this movie since 2015. Paul walker will always stay in our heart. You can check out Fast and Furious 8 Release Date from my site. #RIP Paul Walker.