When looking at long-running film franchises, few remain as transformative and popular as the Fast And Furious saga. Beginning in 2001, the series has spanned the course of 20 years on the big screen with 9 installments and one spin-off film: Hobbs And Shaw. Originally viewed as being a franchise that primarily showcased fast-cars, crazy stunts, and a charismatic ensemble cast, the series has seen itself expand from being only such to revolving around Spy-themed plots, which also include heists and fighting superhero like villains with this trend carrying into the series latest entry, F9: The Fast Saga. Released after a full year delay due to Covid-19, the newest sequel finally hits theaters and further pushes the envelope. Though F9 is the most-over-the-top chapter, its entertainment value cannot be denied, regardless of how preposterous it manages to be.
F9 has Dominic Torretto (Vin Diesel) raising his son in an isolated farm while attempting to live a quiet life. He becomes persuaded to take another dangerous mission when his team uncovers a previous nemesis causing new mayhem with Dom's long forsaken brother (John Cena) being implicated in the scheme. F9's plot is about as outrageous and unrealistic as the series can get with the film continuing the franchise trend of fast cars, explosive action, and the suspension of disbelief that further propels it to a new level of absurdness. Just when audiences didn't think things could get anymore ridiculous, director Justin Lin surprises with even more spectacular set-pieces that reshapes the series from where it originally began as mainly revolving around street-racing. Although self-aware in its craziness with zero effort being made to downplay it, the film holds entertainment value within its mayhem that can't be denied with it placing the films action on top form after briefly falling with its previous film.
The main cast delivers once again with Diesel dominating the screen with his tough guy persona. He drives this vehicle with full throttle put into his performance, along with showing a different side of Dom that still harbors strong animosity towards his brother. John Cena proves himself to be a worthy rival to Vin with his role as Torretto's forsaken brother Jakob, now working as a master chief assassin. Despite Cena's brothers reveal feeling contrived, he sells it while sharing an equal screen presence to Diesel. Michelle Rodriguez delivers her typical female badass persona as Dom's wife Letty with her and Diesel still making for a dynamic ride-or-die together couple. Both Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris remain charismatic in their roles as members of Dom's team Roman Pearce and Tej Parker with both serving as the films comedic duo. The rest of the supporting cast consist of returning faces from previous films with everyone giving performances, that add a high level energy of the film. Nathalie Emmanuel once again shines as British computer hacktivist/member of Dom's team Ramsey along with Jordana Brewster returning as the latters sister Mia. Although audiences may not find themselves buying her characters return to the action given her link to Brian, her return is a welcomed surprise with the same being said for Sung Kang as former member of Dom's team Han, originally thought to have been killed. Charlize Theron returns as cyberterrorist Ciper from the previous film with her making the most of her marginalized role this time. Although their appearances are brief, Michael Rooker makes the most of his part as Dom's father's friend Buddy with Helen Mirren and Kurt Russell making noteworthy reprisals as Magdalene, mother of Dom's previous enemies Shaw and Deckard and Russell as Mr. Nobody. Much of the reason why the film is entertaining is because of the effort the cast puts into making it as such.
Returning to the directors chair after previously helming parts 3 thru 6, Justin Lin brings the same high-style and kinetic energy that he gave previous entries in the franchise, while further expanding on its rather convoluted timeline. He has proven himself to be one of the key figures who understands what makes the franchise work, and continuously raises the bar. He directs the films action sequences with stunning cinematography and fast-paced action, that consists of unrealistic car chases including a train flipping on its back, cars swinging on rope, consistent hand-to-hand combat, and an unbelievable scenario resulting in a car being shot into space on the back of a rocket (You heard that correctly). Like past Fast soundtracks, this one fits with the films hip style while boasting a stellar lineup of established stars and up-and-coming artists in hip-hop, R&B and Latin music. Diversity has always been a main driving point for the franchise with the films choice of music reflecting that. The film finds itself suffering from having one too many flashbacks, although they don't slow it down severely as the action keeps things moving. Overall, Lin appears to have a genuine understanding of what audiences want with delivering insane set-pieces, while adding more depth to the characters. The series often does better when he's behind it with F9 proving that.
With how unrealistic F9 appears, a believable story isn't required in order to make it work as solid entertainment, but Lin and co-writer Daniel Casey take the initiative in providing more background to Dom's past despite the revelation of him having a brother being forced. F9 is the most far-fetched of the series as far as writing goes with the subplot involving Jakob feeling like a massive stretch. The film connects itself to the previous Furious film with Ciper's subplot extending to the story here. The script uses the word family so excessively that it could be made into an intense drinking game. The screenplay even manages to poke fun at the fact that Dom's team has been involved in a series of crazy missions with the characters remarking about how they manage to survive them all up to this point without a scratch. It's with this type of humor delivered that shifts the franchise from attempting to be somewhat realistic to the point of self-parody. The series at this point knows that its gone beyond the point of being excessive with Lin and Diesel milking the extremeness of the story to maximum effect in terms of what insane set-pieces can be shown. With the franchise going as far as ending up in space, one wonders what's possibly left for the creative team to do with the two part finale due to begin filming early next year. The films action makes little to no sense with the suspension of disbelief being completely tossed out the window when seeing unrealistic moments such as cars swinging on rope, but those set-pieces succeed in fueling the stories adrenaline. Although the writing for F9 is riddled with generic moments and cliches, it's serviceable enough in giving audiences moments of jaw- dropping stunts.
Unsurprisingly, the franchise appears to be running out of steam with where it can go story wise with F9 despite Lin keeping the action on top form. It won't win over any new fans to the series but longtime ones will undoubtedly find all of the essential ingredients present that makes the series so appealing to them, while also rolling their eyes at some of the key plot elements thrown at them. F9 is so hilariously over-the-top and extreme with its execution that one can't help but enjoy the experience. The film was designed to be an explosive piece of adrenaline-filled entertainment and lives up to its promise of being such, regardless of how ridiculous things get. That's perhaps the best way to view it.
Final Verdict: Stream It When Available
Images courtesy of Universal Pictures
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