***Caution. Spoilers ahead***
With 22 years, nine sequels, two former professional wrestlers, four Oscar winners, and numerous cameos under its belt, Fast X has finally arrived in theaters, remarkably, still leaving audiences wanting more. As was recently announced, the long-awaited tenth installment is looking like it may be split into three parts, meaning we get more Vin Diesel, more Jason Momoa, and, yes, more family business. It’s no surprise that the first run (clocking in at two hours and 21 minutes) leaves you on a cliffhanger in every sense of the word.
Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans, Now You See Me) directs, while the film boasts an A-list ensemble, including the indomitable Vin Diesel as the legendary Dominic Toretto, along with fan-favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and John Cena. If that isn’t enough star power for you, there’s, of course, Momoa (as Dante Reyes, the son of drug lord Hernan Reyes), Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Nathalie Emmanuel, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, and Charlize Theron. Keep your eyes peeled for cameos, too. In the Fast franchise, nothing is off-limits.
The film picks up with Dom, Letty (Rodriguez), and Dom’s son Brian aka “Little B” (Leo Abelo Perry). Their peaceful family life quickly takes an explosive turn when cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) arrives, turning to Dom after being attacked by Dante Reyes. “The enemy of my enemy is…” well, you know the rest. Dom and Letty then embark on a daring rescue mission in Rome to save their crew from Dante’s deadly trap.
In a race against time, the streets of Rome become a battleground as Dom and crew face a ticking time bomb that threatens to unleash chaos throughout the city. With no time to spare, Dom makes a daring move to prevent the bomb from reaching the Vatican, leading to a devastating explosion that frames his crew for the destruction. Branded as international fugitives, Dom’s team becomes the target of a relentless manhunt led by Agent Aimes (Alan Ritchson), the new leader of Mr. Nobody’s (Scott Eastwood) organization. As the stakes escalate, old alliances are rekindled, and unexpected allies emerge.
As Dante is out for revenge on Dom’s family, you can expect some unexpected twists and turns, along with some predictable moments. Car chases ensue, the crew’s bank accounts are hacked, and the authorities close in, leading the team to turn to the enigmatic Deckard Shaw (Statham) for help. As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, Dom heads to Portugal, where he must stop Dante from unleashing further devastation. As things unfold, Dante reveals a twisted plan that puts everyone’s lives in danger and sets the stage for an epic showdown.
Overall, while the car chases are jaw-dropping and the races are pulse-pounding, the overwhelming amount of CGI and impossible stunts make the scenes feel a bit silly. The absurd plotline and family-driven theme are delivered via exaggerated dialogue, making it impossible not to chuckle. Momoa’s appearance as Dante feels almost Joker-esque. He’s a playful “bad guy.” Momoa takes liberties, adding flavor to the role, fitting right into the folly.
If it all sounds over the top, it’s because it is – in all the ways a big-budget, GCI-driven, action-packed franchise should be. While what we see on screen is imaginary, the Fast & Furious frenzy is real. It’s packed with high-speed action and characters that, 22 years later, we still can’t get enough of.
From the adrenaline-fueled streets of Rome to the snow-covered landscapes of Antarctica, Fast X goes everywhere and nowhere all at once. So don’t expect an Oscar-winning film. Instead, gear up for a fun flick with familiar characters, clichéd one-liners, and some over-the-top GCI that makes the impossible seem probable.
Fast X is in theaters now.
