Almost in its 14th year The Fast and the Furious franchise has now reached Police Academy like status in releasing its 7th film. With the usual frenetic high-octane action promised to motor through our screens and an even more star-studded cast, will it go the way of Mission to Moscow?
I remember a time when the Fast and the Furious gang were all about recklessly driving cars around and that was enough fun to fill a thrilling 106mins. Not even flashy cars either, cars like the Volkswagen Jetta A3 and the Honda Civic, cars that any average film viewer could aspire to own.
While Furious 7 does also have a few vehicles that a normal person could aspire to own… there’s also the $3.4 million Lykan Hypersport! I guess it’s safe to say that their tastes have changed slightly.
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham trade blows in an explosive fight scene.
Progression isn’t a bad thing though and what the films have lost in real life grit, they’ve more than made up for with big action and one of the greatest cinematic moments of all time. Wrestling fans might want to sit down for this one as Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson delivers his famous finishing move The Rock Bottom on Jason Statham, a masterpiece that’s only accentuated by the fact that it’s delivered through a glass table!
Furious 7 has plenty more defining moments, with a veritable smorgasbord of action including but not limited to; Jason Statham blowing up buildings, Jason Statham blowing up Dwayne Johnson and well, he blows up a lot of stuff.
Kurt Russell features too, he’s parachuting cars from an aeroplane in Abu Dhabi while an unmanned drone is causing havoc in of Los Angeles. Vin Diesel is up to his usual antics of course, jumping one of the world’s most expensive cars between one of the world’s most expensive buildings (Etihad Towers) which seems to be a pretty standard Friday for him.
That’s a lot of action for one film – some would say a bit too much as the story gets a bit disjointed, but then who’s really watching this for its Orwellian storytelling?
Paul Walker on set for his last film before his fatal car accident in 2013.
Of course no review of this film could be complete without mentioning the tragic passing of one of its lead stars Paul Walker, a loss that’s felt throughout with genuine sombre moments. It’s strange to watch a film whose protagonists are seemingly indestructible knowing that in real life none of us are.
Maybe it’s this juxtaposition that can make things a little jarring to watch at times, but in the end the film is amicable in sticking to Walker’s character and not holding back with the action. There’s also a very touching farewell to a character and a man who’s been at the heart of The Fast and the Furious since its inception all those years ago.
Author – Hal, Plymouth store
