Fast X

When "The Fast and the Furious" was released in 2001, I thought it was just another summer flick replete with fast cars and hot chicks all for the younger guys out there. However, as more films were being released due to each one being a box office bonanza, they became more about 'family' and comraderie and less about the hot chicks. Sure, there is still an element of that, especially the fast cars--hence the name of the franchise--but it certainly proved me wrong and I have been the victor for it. Now, we have "Fast X", presumably the last in the franchise.

The end of the road begins. "Fast X", the tenth film in the 'Fast and Furious Saga', launches the final chapter's of one of cinema's most storied and popular global franchises,now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and characters as when it began. Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family, including Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), have outsmarted, out nerved and out driven every foe in their path. Now, they confront their most lethal opponent they ever faced, 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. In 2011's "Fast Five" Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn't know was that Reyes' son, Dante (Jason Momoa) witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. Dante's plot will scatter Dom's family, also now including Jacob (John Cena), Dom's brother and Dom's son, little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son, Brian is the ultimate target of Dante's vengeance. 

Others to round out the cast are Jordana Brewster as Mia, Jason Statham as Shaw, Charlize Theron as Cipher, Sung Kang as Han, Helen Mirren as Queenie, Scott Eastwood as Mr. Nobody and Rita Moreno as Abuelita. This was directed with grit and heart-pounding intensity by Louis Leterrier ("The Transporter" '03, "Unleashed" '05, "Transporter 2" '05, "The Incredible Hulk" '08, "Clash of the Titans" '10, "Now You See Me" '13, "The Brothers Grimsby" '16, "The Takedown" '22) plus TV and music videos. By this filmmaker's very resume, he knows his way around a large production and what it takes to have his hand on every aspect of the production--from acting to stunts, from editing to photography, from music to visuals--you get the picture. And following other directors of this franchise, Leterrier was certainly able to extract similar emotions that other directors were able to extract which added to the same personas of these characters. Considering how long this franchise has lasted, it was amazingly written well by Dan Mazeau ("Wrath of the Titans" '12) and Justin Lin ("Shopping for Fangs" '97, "Better Luck Tomorrow" '02, "Finishing the Game" '07, "Hollywood Adventures" '15, "F9: The Fast Saga" '21), based on a story by Dan Maaeau, Justin Lin and Zach Dean, which is based on characters created by Gary Scott Thompson. Even though Mazeau received top billing in the credits and has the least amount of experience, I feel, because of Lin obtaining the lion's share of the experience, that he probably was a bit more pivotal in the creative input between the two. Were there flaws with this story? Sure, such as there was a bit of choppiness as they were going from present time to 10 years prior and back again, and that the fact there were so many situations that occurred in this were totally implausible, but take those out and there wouldn't be much of a story. Look, this film, like all of its predecessors, are total fantasy and pure escapism at its finest. This is what makes this franchise so entertaining and exhilarating in order to keep its audience glued to their seats, and I believe that since this franchise has been running since 2001, they've performed their job well. And the visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) and Double Negative were creative and enhanced the story. Also the stunt coorfinators were about as much stars of this as the stars themselves. They were absolutely amazing. 

Certainly if you truly loved the other five films of this franchise, you'll love this, Like the others, it has it all: action, adrenaline, explosions, humor and a family message all the while keeping you entertained and glued to your seats for an excess of 2 hours. And, unless you've been under a rock, there will be a part 2 of this come 2025--it leaves its audience with quite the cliffhanger.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: PG-13                                          140mins.