Did anyone really think the Fast and the Furious franchise would make it to a fifth film? The first one was a surprise hit and the sequel was popular. But then Tokyo Drift came out and we all probably thought that was the end. But who would’ve known the franchise would find its legs when Vin Diesel and Paul Walker teamed back up for Fast and Furious? The franchise went back to its roots. Now, the whole gang from all the movies is back for Fast Five.
This one delivers just as much, or perhaps even more, excitement and entertainment than the others (including the original). For a franchise to be on their fifth installment is something worth recognizing. But it is even more amazing when the fifth movie is just as good, or perhaps the best of the whole franchise.
Brian O’Connor (Walker) is now a former police officer and has joined Dom Toretto (Diesel) and his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster). After breaking Dom out of custody, they take themselves across border after border until they end up in Rio de Janeiro. There, they come up with a plan to steal $100M from a corrupt, cutthroat business man who wants them dead. It is one last job so they can finally quit running and have their freedom. So they assemble the best team they can put together and most of them are from their pasts. But that’s the least of their worries because Luke Dobbs (Dwayne Johnson), a federal agent who always gets his man, is on their asses and is willing to bring them in at any cost.
Fast Five is full of tough guys, pretty women, and fast cars. While being extremely ridiculous at times, the car chases and all of the rest of the crazy action and stunts are breathtaking and very impressive. It’s pretty cool to see guys like Tyrese, Ludacris, and the rest of the gang from the past movies all join together for one big heist. Walker and Diesel know how to play to their audience. With director Justin Lin (Fast and Furious and Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift), they give you the explosions, thrills, and chases that we all know and love, but also expect.
With all the characters coming back, it is refreshing to see a new face in the crowd. Johnson is the perfect guy to chase these guys and try to bring them down. He is a guy you believe can take on Diesel, and when they do finally meet, it is one awesome showdown between two big dudes. Fast Five is a high-octane, energized heist movie that takes this franchise and makes it feel complete. There is no better feeling than that.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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