0
The high octane action in this film escalates crazily from moment to moment and as long as you can suspend your disbelief when the characters develop super-powers (which happens a lot) and you don’t mind a little sentimental dross, then this film is for you.
Former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) helps Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) escape from custody and the two are holed up with Mia (Jordana Brewster) in Rio de Janeiro.
Their last caper has attracted the attention of FBI agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock), who is on their tail, and they realize the only way they’ll ever find freedom is to buy it. They hatch a daring plan to rob a local drug dealer, assemble an elite team to execute it and the $100 million robbery is under way.
The filmmakers are understandably grateful to the legions of loyal fans who have made Fast and Furious into a franchise and they show their respect by placing a high impact action scene right at the beginning, even before the titles roll, as if to say “We know what you want, and we’re going to give it to you”.
The audience I watched this with whooped and clapped in appreciation and it was a cinematic moment that everyone in the theatre enjoyed. All power to the Director for coming up with such a dazzling opener.
There is a great deal of stunning cinematography in this film. Even scenic shots are galvanized into action by aerial lenses that swoop over the parapet and throw us headlong into the arena where the head-spinning action is about to start yet again. But with so much going on, the convoluted plot only serves to confuse and the resulting dual antagonists cause the cat and mouse game to stop and start which prevents the tension from building towards the climax of the big heist.
With so much relentless action there’s obviously a need for personal interaction to break it up but the characters are so superficial there’s nothing to mine and all we get is a pregnant girlfriend and a long time friend dying.
Instead of taking the sentimental route, which is a bore, a little light comedy would work much better, but there again, this film is guaranteed to rake in millions and when the producers get the big fat cheque in their hands for Fast Six, will they really care if they’re the only ones who are laughing?
Release dates:
UK
21 April 2011
USA
29 April 2011