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F9: The Fast Saga, the last entry released in 2021, was one of the most negatively received movies of this franchise, and it also planted a strong seed of doubt in people’s minds if this franchise could really be successful and memorable. It’s fair to say that it left a sour taste in some people’s mouths and left a hefty dent on the popularity of this IP. Fast X comes to the audience two years later with a much bigger cast, a much bigger budget, and much higher stakes. Louis Leterrier directs this latest installment with a script written by Justin Lin, Dan Mazeau and Zach Dean.
Returning cast members include Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, and John Cena. At the same time, Alan Ritchson, Brie Larson and Jason Momoa are the new additions to round out an ensemble cast. The plot follows Dominic Toretto and his family facing a terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past, who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever. This new threat is Dante Reyes (played by Jason Momoa), the son of Hernan Reyes who Dom and his family robbed and killed in Fast Five.
The films in the Fast and Furious franchise have been known to be grand action-packed, over-the-top spectacles and this installment doesn’t disappoint on that front. Fans of the franchise know exactly what to expect when walking into a fast and furious movie. You usually get an ensemble cast, Some racing, lots of high-octane car chases and action sequences, charming humor, and of course the central theme of family. Is Fast X as over-the-top as its predecessors? Yes. Is it necessarily a bad thing? I don’t think so. Somehow it is the cheesiness, the charm and the sheer audacity of this franchise to blow your mind with outrageous stuntwork that makes this franchise so successful. And Fast X is one of the most expensive movies ever produced, so that gives us an idea of how audacious this entry is.
With movies like this, it is difficult to be too critical, especially when it comes to technical aspects. The story is unsurprisingly lightweight with a screenplay that is very formulaic and borrows from several other blockbuster action movies. There are often plot points that don’t make sense or don’t get resolved, but it is difficult to mark that as a criticism as it is supposed to be a multi-movie finale. As a result, the performances apart from one actor, aren’t exactly impressive as the actors didn’t have much to work with, but they still manage to bring charm and charisma to the screen. The music by Brian Tyler is a highlight as always and the chemistry between these beloved characters and their banter still makes you laugh consistently.
This is a very CGI-heavy movie and the visual effects work was not the best I have ever seen. It was not terrible but certainly did not justify its massive budget. The element of family is maintained as a constant underlying theme throughout the movie as is the case in every Fast and Furious movie and it does give us a couple of strong emotional scenes. The pacing is also fairly consistent as this is a very fast-paced experience with almost no room to breathe or time to slow down. The pace also complements the high stakes of the story and also helps maintain the tone. The film does end on a cliffhanger and has several cameos and twists, some of which may be too ridiculous to believe for some.
But one man who deserves all the headlines is Jason Momoa. His performance as Dante is fantastic. He is incredibly menacing and easily the best villain of the franchise. His character is the only character where it feels like the writers worked hard in crafting the biggest threat Dom and his family have ever faced. Some of his mannerisms and traits may seem familiar from some iconic villains of Hollywood, but Momoa brings a fresh flair and aura to his take on the vengeful antagonist. I can rave about him all day because I could not take my eyes off him.
Fast X is a feast for fans of the franchise and a solid source for escapism and popcorn entertainment. It lays out the groundwork for what is being set up as an epic end to this long-running franchise. Jason Momoa’s Dante alone is a reason enough to this latest entry and of course, you have bucketloads of ridiculous action sequences throughout the runtime. This franchise may have been a wounded animal, especially after F9, but Fast X breathes new life into this dying franchise.
★★★½
Fast X releases in theatres on May 19.
