REVIEW: FAST X

3.5/5

X Games.

141 Mins. Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Momoa, Jason Statham & Charlize Theron. Director: Louis Leterrier. In: Theatres. 

Ten-speed, without so much as a bicycle in sight, 'Fast X' hits the tarmac running down a damn dam like Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive'. Setting off the summer blockbuster season with nitrous as you frat bros get your Roman numerals in order. Chasing Batman like bombs around the streets of Rome with Roman and motorbikes. Bringing choppers down on highways where if you're family, you can fly. The supercharged street racing franchise with a 'Mission: Impossible' hijacking twist looks for that Marvel money as it turns its drivers into heroes. 

All for one and one for family (in a gruff voice like 'The Boys' which starred an almost unrecognisable, fourth film star Laz Alonso). The concrete power of Vin Diesel leading the way as he and his Groot's 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3.' co-star look to double-up on the summer movie wars as Chris Pratt 1up's with 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'. All before the likes of 'Indiana Jones', 'The Little Mermaid', 'The Flash' (WITH MICHAEL KEATON'S BATMAN), 'Spider-Man', some 'Transformers' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'The Equalizer', 'Barbie' and of course Tom Cruise look to start their engines in these blockbuster days of thunder. 

Ten movies over twenty years?! This is like the M.C.U. Complete with a spin-off and even an animated 'Spy Racers' one on Netflix for the kids. The end of the road is in sight, but they're still kings of this longer than a runway highway. It keeps going, guzzling gas and box-office money in the tank. Yet, critically it's gone from, "how can they do it again" to "how can they do it again!" You only have to see Justin Lin in Diesel's Instagram post before the director departed to see how much these tyres are wearing on some tired people. Even the pandemic couldn't slow down 'F9' and now the fate of the furious looks to separate the final part into two more movies like a 'Mockingjay' or Year 7 of 'Harry Potter'. And these movies don't even have a book to go off. 

They threw out the manual long ago, but still manage to mark it all work under the hood. When it's all said and done, you'll remember this remarkable run with the fondness of you know what. Always exciting, this one may be the most entertaining as just like the slew of superhero movies that make the multiplex these should be watched maybe just once as you await the next to be enjoyed properly. No movie marathon (you'll die). Sure, this is not Scorsese cinema, but like all that cape fear it's blockbuster bravado at its biggest and best. Even if 'Fast X' does sound like a former flame you are better off without. 

They've come a long way from the sex, lies and videotape stealing of the original, outstanding standard. '2 Fast, 2 Furious' lost Diesel, but got a new partner in Tyrese Gibson, whilst the third film drifted to Tokyo. It all came back to the basics for the fourth confusingly titled 'Fast and the Furious' which is so close to the original that it's one of the best. Then, 'Fast Five' became an epic ensemble of all the parts that blew, made bank and dragged one 'round the city of Brazil. So much so The Rock could even smell what they were cooking at that family barbecue. 

Since then, it's been an A-list affair of crazy car carnage, titillating titles (in Japan this edition is called 'Fire Boost') and more fallouts than a 'M:I' movie. There's been a couple of cruise missiles too. Oh, and they've driven to space. All in a day's work. There's even been a few street races too. But no Jesse (yet) in a franchise that resurrects more than Marvel. No one every really dies, nerds. The formidable fifth film really was the catalytic converter for all that came next. And this is where we find the origin story of the latest supervillain. And if you really need any more reason why you should pay writers what they're worth look no further than how this franchise HANdles backstories seemingly seamlessly like this. 

After being left for dead like Chris Hemsworth in the water under a bridge, 'Aquaman' Jason Mamoa is extracting to keep the wheels turning on this story. Even looking like Arthur Curry in his jacket on the Hollywood who's who of this movie's billboard poster. And in a film where you can play spot the DC hero with a Corona, the fast and fabulous Jason Mamoa having the Swayze time of his life is the best thing about this movie, actually making you want more. He's gone rogue before in Sylvester Stallone's 'Bullet To The Head' ("what are we? Vikings?"), but never this camped up like every golden era 90s villain in sight with a modern twist, flipping trucks like The Joker. 

Why so serious? One minute he's Tommy Lee Jones in an 'Under Siege' homage. The next both Nicolas Cage and John Travolta facing off in this opera. There's one moment in this cereal box franchise that is too much for the kids, but aside from that it's all fun and X Games oddly friendly. He even makes a genie like get-up with scrunchies in his hair that look like somebody's daughter styled them look cool. Dante (yep) brings an inferno. 

Diesel needs all the help he can get. Even if Vin still grounds this in gravitas, taking himself seriously, but sincerely in a film that finally pokes fun at itself. You only need to take a step in the 'Boiler Room' or take 'A Man Apart' to see that Diesel can actually act, and it's interesting to see what he'll do when he finally puts the hood down, so long as he's not typecast by an ignorant industry. Either way he's still box-office certified with enough Hollywood heist to finally afford some shirt sleeves or a more expensive cross (just kidding, it's still sweet symbolism in more ways than one). The rest of the crew is more than tight in an epic ensemble. 

The comedy relief of the '2 Fast' 'Too Easy' collabo of actor/singer Tyrese Gibson and rapper/actor Ludacris who now has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Joined by London and 'Game Of Thrones' very own Nathalie Emmanuel and the Han lives last movie return of favourite Sung Kang conquering and sharing another nice hood counsel with Dom. The snacking and the long-hair are back like the first time and Ludacris best rapper in the game 'Word Of Mouf' era cornrows. This fuelled up franchise still manages to carry off the absence of the late, great Paul Walker's, character, all whilst honouring him, but it's time to stop sidelining Jordana Brewster. She can kick-ass just like 'Dungeons and Dragons' and 'Avatar' star Michelle Rodriguez with the rocking best move of this movie...on a moped. 

La la land's finest all carpool too. Like Charlize Theron's Cypher, still hacking for trouble and some 'Atomic Blonde' action as this franchise puts kick to a## like it does pedal to metal, like a 'John Wick' chapter. We really hope Kurt Russell's character isn't in the wind much longer like Nobody's business, but it's great to see Scott Eastwood back for a bit and the addition of Oscar winner Brie Larson is a real marvel, Captain. Just like wrestling with John Cena's brotherhood was in the last movie. Making peace, he steals the show in a side quest here complete with the best soundtrack in a franchise that still drives straight to your heart. Add 'Suicide Squad' actress of the moment Daniela Melchior's story and 'Reacher' himself Alan Ritchson hot on their tail and there's so much more backfiring out the pipe of the exhaust, never mind the fumes. 

Even the legend of two 'West Side Story' movies Rita Moreno is here with the crown like the Queen herself, Dame Helen Mirren. 'Transporter' director Louis Leterrier ('Clash Of The Titans', 'Now You See Me') has a lot to deal with in his franchise directorial debut. Especially with all these incredible hulks. But her transforms it all to a tee with his old friend Jason Statham in a real reunion with Kang's Han. Leaving us wanting a 'Hobbs and Shaw' one for a movie that had even more cameos (even an SNL one) as this 'Fast' family gets bigger than Avengers Tower. What would this movie be without the real F word? Press play to pay respects. The special effects of 'FX' will stay with you. It's been going on for a long time. And you'll see it again down the road. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'F9', 'Hobbs & Shaw', 'The Transporter'.