Director: Louis Letterier
Writer: Dan Mazeau
Cast: Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Jason Momoa, and Tyrese Gibson
On the eve of one of the most giant European jobs the family has ever done, trouble comes knocking. An old enemy drops in bringing bad tidings and hoping to join forces against a common threat. The impromptu meeting leads Dom to Italy to save Rome and the crew from a botched heist. Dom’s arrival sets the wheels in motion for a revenge-seeking maniac’s diabolical plan to split the family up for good and make Dom suffer for his sins.
This is the tenth installment of this never-ending franchise. Rumors of the last few years have this pegged as the final chapter and though we are thrilled our jubilation is bittersweet. We, like many moviegoers, have a toxic relationship with these films. Though we groan at the mention of yet another installment we know we’re going to see it and probably love it. This franchise should have ended with Furious Seven, Paul Walker’s last film. His role as Brian had to end with his passing. Walker, unfortunately, died before completing the seventh film. As a main character, losing him should have wrapped this up. Especially with the tear-jerking last scene of the film, showing Dom and Brian headed across a long highway in different directions, a rare and profound tribute where art and life collided. Though gone in the living world Brian lives on in the franchise. Charlie Puth’s angelic voice from Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” plays softly in the background, the cherry on top of a perfect ending. The number seven is also the holy number of completion! However, Hollywood being the unholy mess it’s always been, we ended up with Fate of the Furious, an eighth installment that took the crew to new heights of delusion. The eighth movie introduced audiences to Cipher (Charlize Theron), a cyber-terrorist bent on world domination. With all her connections and power she of course chooses Dom to help her take over Earth. She could have chosen a politician, a crew of bloodthirsty mercenaries but nope she wanted car enthusiast and FBI magnet Dominic Torretto. Thus begins a fast descent into absolute chaos. The franchise takes a sharp turn from driving fast cars and pulling off heists to literally saving the world, disabling nuclear submarines, and preventing a nuclear war. The film ends with Cipher still at large and so we detour with a fun little spin-off “Hobbs and Shaw” before revisiting the gang for the ninth time. “F9” brought us face to face with Dom’s past. In this installment, even Dom is ready to call it quits and settle down with his wife and son. However, just like poor Michael Corleone, they keep pulling him back in! This time the crew gets intel that Cipher was captured but made a daring escape thanks to the efforts of Dom’s estranged brother Jakob (John Cena). You know the drill, they fight, Dom convinces him that family matters, Cipher gets away and now we have a tenth movie.
Fast X starts with a throwback to Fast Five, the movie where the crew steals 100 million dollars from a ruthless businessman and politician and goes on a wild chase dragging a giant safe. The man being robbed is Hernan Reyes who apparently dies during the chase and is survived by his son Dante (Jason Momoa) As expected Dante wants revenge. He could have hired mercenaries, captured Dom and his son then tortured them but that would have been too easy. Much like Cipher before him, Dante is a next-level villain. To be fair, by comparison, he is almost cartoonish, thinking the Joker and Harley Quin’s love child but raised by Lex Luther. He’s wealthy, spoiled, and batshit crazy. In one scene he has a tea party and paints a dead henchman’s toenails. As a villain, he is both sinister and hilarious. Momoa is in his element being a complete ham stealing every scene. Ordinarily, his physique and smoldering gaze steal the show, this time it’s clever quips and silly one-liners. He’s no hero he’s 100% committed to villainy and boy is it entertaining. The Aquaman star is gleefully maniacal as the vengeful Dante. Speaking of Aquaman Momoa isn’t the only fish-whispering hero on the scene. This film also introduces Alan Ritchson as Aimes an agent working for Mr. Nobody’s secret government agency. Ritchson played Aquaman on the WB drama “Smallville” from 2005-2010. For Fast X he’s an agent tasked with finding and arresting Dom and his crew after a failed mission puts the family on the most wanted list. The mission orchestrated by Dante is a prime example of cartoonish behavior as part of the plan results in a giant ball-shaped bomb rolling through Rome heading for the Vatican. Naturally, Dom and the gang attempt to stop it which is how they end up on wanted posters. Honestly, with the two Aquaman, this seemed more like a DC spin-off than a Fast and Furious film. In fact, there are appearances from several DC Universe stars including an extra special end-credit scene you must see to believe. In addition to our newcomers along for the ride is just about everyone that’s still alive from the franchise. Expect some surprising cameos and a lot of sappy music. Most of the film is action-packed, full of insane fight scenes, death-defying stunts, and of course, car chases all over the world. The rest is Dom talking about family in that low growling voice while sappy music plays in the background. Highlights include the chase through Rome, an explosive race through Brazil, and a wild ride down an exploding dam reminiscent of old-school HotWheels on a track. As expected, despite the predictable dialogue, convoluted plot, and forced sappiness we thoroughly enjoyed every damn minute. From start the finish, this is a fun ride. Buckle up for this one, it’s only the beginning of the end, number Eleven is on the horizon. This one ends in a wild cliffhanger followed by a delightful end-credit scene. Rumor has it, the franchise may pull a “Halloween” and make it a trilogy. Whatever happens, we’re in this thing till the wheels fall off.