Fast Five: Reviewed
The ‘Fast’ Franchise Cashes In
Ten years after the first film’s release comes (what should be) the climax. This enjoyable, albeit predictable film serves more as a thank-you to longtime fans at the expense of those who’ve never seen any of the movies.
All of the major players from the last four films are accounted for, brought together for one last run. This film is heavy on character development and fan service, eschewing fast rides and blistering races. Whether or not you enjoy this movie may depend on your familiarity with the universe.
Fast Five picks up immediately following the conclusion of the fourth film, where O’Connor (Paul Walker) and company have managed to spring series antihero Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel, who is all but typecast at this point in his career) in an exciting, yet completely implausible escape sequence.
In the time that’s passed, O’Connor and longtime girlfriend Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) have fallen on hard times, living as federal fugitives constantly on the run.
In the midst of an unexpected complication, the two turn to old friend Vince (Matt Schulze, the script overlooked no one) who hooks them up with a risky, but high-paying gig. Despite Dominic’s intervention on this job, things go wrong, and suddenly the group escalates to, as O’Connor puts it, “The top of the wanted list.”
With the walls closing in, Toretto plans one last job that will enable them to disappear. In order to pull it off, they need to pull in the best. And we’re off to the races. Pun intended.
Justin Lin has helmed the franchise since the dubious Tokyo Drift, and he doesn’t let up here. This film is an action flick through and through, tightly shot and expertly paced, while the action sequences themselves are frenetic, but not jarring. The result is a film that is very well put together.
Dwayne Johnson is a great, two-dimensional addition to the cast as Federal Agent Hobbs, who channels Tommy Lee Jones in his relentless, southern-spoken pursuit of Toretto. Johnson was introduced to threaten Toretto, whose ruthlessness and physical superiority has been a staple of his character. Watching Johnson and Diesel play off of each other, building to the inevitable showdown between the two, is one of the film’s highlights. The fight is worth the wait, but again, you may have to suspend your sense of belief for a bit.
Unfortunately, it looks like gorgeous rides and generous blasts of nitrous are no longer necessary at this point in the series. There is one flat-out race in the entire film, and even then, all participants drive the same car. If you’re movie to see rides shown off at top speed, you will be may be disappointed. The story is absolutely mediocre as well, even though it’s still a lot of fun. In the end, after all the planning and sophisticated trick driving, it comes down to…well, you’ll see. The climax is implausible but a blast to watch, more reminiscent of the Italian Job than The Fast and The Furious.
Fast Five’s selling points are also what works against it; the characters, the camaraderie, and the banter are enjoyable if you’re new to the series, but a lot of the inside jokes will be lost on you. Still, for an opening summer flick, this film is very much a lot of fun and worth eight bucks at the door, even more so for longtime fans. Old-schoolers and action-film fans will enjoy this, but newcomers may want to wait for Vudu.
(c) Avery K. Tingle for Akting Out LLC
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