Director: David Leitch
Writer: Chris Morgan
Cast: Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 137 minutes
Agent Luke Hobbs is called on to save the world yet again. This time, he must locate a dangerous virus that could wipe out humanity. Though prepared to work alone the hulking agent is forced to team up with mercenary Deckard Shaw, despite having tried to kill him on more than one occasion. The two must put aside their differences and work together if humanity has any chance of survival. Making matters even more difficult is genetically enhanced superhuman, Brixton who is prepared to fight for control of the virus at all costs. Will Hobbs and Shaw finally play nice or will their animosity lead to the end of mankind?
The world doesn’t need another Fast & Furious film, but we could stomach a few more incarnations of Hobbs and Shaw. In all honesty, the franchise took a major nosedive immediately following the passing of Paul Walker. The heartbreaking final scene in Furious 7 where Brian O’Conner catches up to Dom at the crossroads, one last time before veering off into the unknown is forever etched in our memories. The franchise could have and should have ended there. Instead of allowing a great franchise to gracefully come to an end the studio produced 2017’s Fate of the Furious. The storyline for Fate included a noticeably flawed departure from the usual plot. Dom and his misfit crew were taking on a diabolical villain named Cipher hellbent on taking over the world. Despite its ridiculous plot, the seventh film laid the groundwork for introducing more sophisticated espionage and more than a few elements of Science fiction, which has led to the Hobbs and Shaw spinoff.
With Superhero and Comic films dominating the box office this was a smart move even with their poor execution. The one thing Furious 7 got right was the extended dialogue for Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, as it has led to one of the Summer’s most thrilling adventures. Though their story began as bitter enemies in Fast and Furious Five, the comedic energy between Statham and Johnson is undeniable. Fans of the Fast & Furious know Hobbs and Shaw as a cantankerous pair who are always at odds. Despite the noticeable differences in size the duo often spars as equals flinging insults and fists with equal passion. The chemistry between the two is electric as they evolve from frenemies to reluctant partners. Not unlike the last Fast & Furious film, this movie features an implausible plot that’s more at home in the Mission Impossible universe than Fast & Furious. Farfetched plot aside the humor and action of this film are well worth the price of admission. Both Statham and Johnson have their legion of loyal fans who will thoroughly enjoy watching the two of them fight, curse, and joke their way into and back out of trouble. The stunts are visually exciting especially once you suspend belief and just chalk off some of the insanity as movie magic. One of the most insanely daring stunts involves Hobbs doing a ziplining free fall down a skyscraper. Not only is he barehanded he keeps letting go of the cable to tackle the henchmen below. Not only does he make it down in one piece, but his hands which should have been shredded to the bone aren’t even scratched. The franchise may have started with heists and fast driving but now that we’ve delved into secret spy organizations, megalomaniac villains, and Super Humans, there is no turning back.
Speaking of superhumans, gird your loins Elba fans, Idris is Brixton the ultimate supervillain. Not only is he a genetically enhanced Superman, but he also spends the entirety of the film in a black leather onesie spouting evil rhetoric in his English accent. Brixton has a complicated backstory which could also be its own standalone film as it involves Deckard Shaw in his former life as an English soldier. As if being imbibed with superhuman abilities ‘enough, Brixton is also a member of a not so secret British organization that is eerily similar to Mission Impossible’s dastardly Syndicate. With Vanessa Kirby as the damsel in distress, and several mentions of M16, a Mission Impossible crossover or Tom Cruise Cameo isn’t far fetched. Fans who recognize Kirby from 2018’s Mission Impossible: Fallout will recall her character White Widow as a skillful philanthropist and arms dealer. Which ain’t a far cry from her mysterious origins in the Fast & Furious universe.
Though we could live happily without another Fast & Furious film, we are grateful for this spinoff. The film is an action-packed adventure with big laughs and a few surprise cameos. The film is an epic homage to 90’s action movies, with it’s over the top villainy, predictable story, and death-defying stunts. Hobbs and Shaw is the big action film this Summer needed and a big leap in the right direction.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw hits theaters, Friday, August 2, 2019!