Review - Fast Five

Strap In And Enjoy The Ride


Before we get started, let me say, I’m a junkie for these films. It seems every time they show up on Starz or HBO, I’m tuned in while I’m working. Why? Because they are escapist fun and take you somewhere that you’ve wanted to go. Fast cars, fast women and non-stop action are the normal course of action when you sit down with the Fast and Furious action.

Dominic (Vin Diesel) is on his way to serve an extensive jail sentence when a group of cars surround the bus. Those cars are led by former FBI agent Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) and some of Dom’s Family. Dom will regain his freedom and we are off to the races with the next installment in the Fast and Furious series.


The fugitives land in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and aren’t there long when a job is set in motion. But that job quickly goes bad and now the US government is keen to where the fugitives are hiding. The government has sent their best tracker, Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) to get Dom and Brian back and he is not one to miss out on his target.


Brian and Dom have a way to get even with the Brazilian who has made their life miserable and it will take the best of all the crews they have assembled over the years to get the job done. It’s almost an impossible mission, but the prize will change their life forever. Can they finish the job, or will Hobbs bring them in before they can get the job done.


When I sit down with a movie like Fast Five, I am not looking for Award winning screenplay, or actors that blow me away. I AM looking for something that might be worthy of a Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nomination for Best Action Film. I’m looking for explosion, check. I’m looking for at least one terrific action sequence, check. And I’m looking for amazing cars and non-stop action, check.


This is a film that you can check your mind at the door and just flat out enjoy. If you think too much about the plot, you will find plot holes bigger than on a piece of Swiss cheese. But that’s not what you are doing here. You are sitting back and enjoying some crazy action.


Fast Five does one thing well, it keeps you interested throughout the over 2 hour film. And, if you wait for the credits…you will see where a sixth film might go. (It’s worth sticking it out).


Don’t think too much; just strap in and enjoy the ride.


B


Fast Five
Universal Pictures


Director: Justin Lin
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordanna Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris


Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, sexual content and language.
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes