Now into its third decade, the Fast & Furious franchise begins what’s been billed as its final chapter with this 10th instalment.
Vin Diesel returns as Dominic Torretto, however this time without regular director Justin Lin, who left the project abruptly 10 days into filming, the studio parachuting in experienced filmmaker Louis Leterrier to replace him.
Beginning with the obligatory family barbecue, the film continues the extravagant soap opera narrative which fans have grown to love.
As is franchise tradition, Fast X drops an outrageous retcon early as we discover in a flashback prologue, that new villain Dante (played by the irrepressible Jason Momoa) was apparently present offscreen during the events of Fast 5, which saw his father (drug baron Hernan Reyes) die at the hands of Dom and the team. Now out for blood, the vengeful Dante sets about targeting everyone Dom has ever cared about, including his young son Little B.
Unquestionably the films MVP, Momoa is in on the joke and seems to be having a whale of a time hamming it up as the flamboyant bad guy, gleefully attempting to blow up the Vatican in the first act.
Framed for the attack, the team are targeted by their former agency employers led by Alan Ritchson and Brie Larson (both welcome additions to the cast).
The rest of the plot is every bit as ridiculous as you’d expect, with Diesel driving the worlds most indestructible car through various locations across the globe, at one point chasing a giant rolling bomb through the streets of Rome.
His performance is as earnest as ever, with his gravelly voice reiterating the importance of family. (The F word is actually mentioned 56 times during the film).
As with many of the franchise villains, John Cena returns as an ally, but his overly comedic performance as Dom’s brother Jakob falls flat. Jason Statham and Charlize Theron also briefly reprise their roles as Deckard Shaw and Cipher, plus there are plenty of other cameos to delight longstanding fans. Full of spectacular stunts, exploding cars and huge set pieces, this is far fetched nonsense done on a massive scale, but if you’ve come this far with the series, then you’re not here for the realism.
Taken with a pinch of salt and a huge bucket of popcorn, Fast X is actually a whole lot of fun and a return to form after the strained excess of Fast 9.
The film leaves plenty of threads hanging and the bold Cliffhanger ending will have fans clamouring for part 11, although rumours are already circulating that the series will be extended beyond that into a 12thfilm.
With high octane thrills and over the top daftness Fast X is enjoyable big budget, big screen escapism.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@grittster
21/05/23