A handful of hype – All bets are off when you get to number five in a series, as pretty much everything has been done and said the first four times. That is, unless you’re J.K. Rowling with the “Harry Potter” series, which will conclude this summer after seven successful installments, spread over eight films. Because let’s face it, no matter the genre or quality, after four films, we know what to expect which in many ways helped “Fast Five” go on to earn over $80 million in its first week at the box office. Having said that, I still was apprehensive at what would come from a fifth piece to a series that probably should have stopped after one.
What’s this one about? Taking place before the events in the fourth film to this series, “The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift,”this one begins with a prison breakout led by former FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker). Reason, you ask? Well, O’Conner’s good friend Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) was on this bus, being taken to prison. A wild car chase and a dozen bus flips later, Dominic was free and on his way to Rio to meet up with the rest of the crew, including the likes of his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), Han (Sung Kang), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Gisele (Gal Gadot) and Tej (Ludacris) among others. Turns out, Rio was being run by a dirty businessman by the name of Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) who had over $100 million stashed away from all his sleazy deals. Upon finding out about all this money laundering Reyes had been doing, Dominic and Co. decide to perform a heist. However, this was no ordinary heist, as they would have to break into the police station to get Reyes money. And it was right about then that this entire story switched into another gear, exploding with one insane action sequence after another, leading to a conclusion that was almost too good to be true.
All-Star cast – As big as this cast was, the one member that most people will talk about is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. And that’s fine by me, as I probably would not have been able to enjoy this film as much without him. Always ready to turn it up a notch, The Rock proved he still has what it takes to be an action hero, just about dominating every scene he was in as Special Agent Luke Hobbs. That was important for two reasons. One, it took the pressure off Vin Diesel, who was back in the starring role after a nearly 10-year hiatus. And two, with The Rock throwing his weight around, nothing Diesel and Co. did ever seemed over the top, which was almost needed in a way. That allowed you to enjoy this dynamic cast for everything they were to the story. It works for this film and for that, I credit director Justin Lin for having the courage to pull all this talent together. Because let’s face it, when you throw in a Jordana Brewster, Tyrese, Ludacris and Paul Walker, who knows what you will get.
Fast lane to the past lane? Some will say this story is too much to handle and I can agree to an extent. I mean, anytime you pull indestructible bank safes out of concrete and drag them around town, reality is tested. And as bizarre as that was, it really didn’t last that long and by that point, you almost don’t care given how the rest of the story was being told. That was good, because with how little introduction you had to this installment, I was leery of what would come toward the end. I mean, is it too much to ask for some sort of recap of what these guys and girls have been doing since the last time we saw them? I guess that’s what a sixth one is for, but either way, it did not deter the enjoyment you had watching this film, which is all that matters. Sure, there were plot holes and uneven themes, but with how thrilling some of this action was, you simply do not care. Old-school directing on top of buildings along with some extreme angles within the chase sequences stamped this as the first true summer blockbuster.
Bottom Line – Given how this entire series was built upon cars and racing, it was surprising to see a little heist mixed in, but it worked for the story taking place. And to me, there was enough of everything to suit whoever chooses to go see “Fast Five,” which in the end is probably all you need.
B-
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Nice one, but I felt you gave away too much of the story line, Fast 5 ( a movie franchise I personally respect since I love the machines my self) may not appeal to all as it does to a few. either way it did not have anything wrong in it either. Nice work though, loved the bit about “Dwayne”. I still believe Vin D has got it in him to play a lead :)