Director / F. Gary Gray (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, THE ITALIAN JOB)
Stars/ Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham and Charlize Theron

Let’s reverse this FAST & FURIOUS vehicle back to where it all began in 2001 with the release of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS. The first of now eight feature length films in this franchise (with at least two more on the way!) was produced off a budget of $38 million and went on to gross over $200 million worldwide. Now, the newest movie in Universal Pictures biggest franchise of all time has been handed a whopping budget of $250 million, courtesy of its (just shy of) $4 billion worldwide box office gross. Breathe a sigh of relief though for THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS is the best of them all!

Anyone who has seen a previous FAST & FURIOUS movie (Or even a trailer, for that matter) will know that story is of little importance. The writers unapologetically make no attempt to conceal this fact either. It’s all about devising a contrived trigger that will post its many main characters to the specific, often exotic, locations around the world for the films action sequences to take place. In THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is on honeymoon with his wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in Cuba. Select members of his team happen to be tagging along for the romantic vacation too! When Dom is approached by a mysterious and beautiful woman (played by Charlize Theron) who has seemingly seduced him, Dominic’s team set out to discover the truth behind his betrayal.

FAST & FURIOUS 8 is running less on Diesel and is turbocharged by a dynamic display from the awesome Charlize Theron in the driver’s seat, accelerating above its predecessors as a result.

Now do not fear, Diesel fans. This woeful lead actor still owns the rights to claiming the franchise’s most significant role and there remains plenty to be seen of him in FAST 8.  In fact, at 136 minutes in length, there is plenty of time for each of the many characters that now occupy a FAST & FURIOUS movie to be handed their own separate and significant sequence. This blockbuster action movie certainly keeps those lengthy minutes ticking along at a pace matching the speedometer of its fast cars. By now, diehard fans of FAST & FURIOUS films should expect to leave the cinema blown right out of their seats. An epic, extended set-piece sequence that unfolds during the finale will confidently leave those who are thirsty for big action stunts in awe. Viewers are likely to be satisfied and thoroughly enjoy a handful of other action scenes that take place throughout the film, however they are often too noticeably computerised to be regarded as stand-outs. The resourceful use of its popular locations, which include Cuba (a Hollywood first), New York City (a FAST & FURIOUS first) and Berlin, serve as a good distraction from the CGI when needed though. But again, the setting for the final set-piece sequence, which I will not reveal here, overtakes all others by a mile.

When it doesn’t waste our time or its own with its mawkishness, this is actually good stuff! Well, for a FAST & FURIOUS movie at least. Dwayne Johnson compliments the macho action with his reliably charming display of humour and the addition of Charlize Theron as the main antagonist is the wisest decision anyone who has ever worked on a FAST & FURIOUS movie has ever made.

3 stars

Viewer Discretion/ M (action violence and coarse language)

Trailer / THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures and Village Cinemas, Jam Factory for the invite to this film screening.

Review by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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