Movie Review: Furious 7

This 2015 addition might arguably be the best known Fast and Furious film for those who are not familiar with the franchise, and it was for a very sad reason. On November 30, 2013, Paul Walker died in a single car accident while the film was halfway through production. The cast and fans were devastated by his loss and the production was put on an indefinite hold. With the studio and the cast behind it the seventh film proceeded on in Walker’s memory. In my opinion it has definitely been the most heartfelt Fast film to date, and I do not believe it will be topped. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) has been trying to help his long-time love Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) regain her memories after the events of the previous film, but it has been difficult for her. While helping out his once again pregnant sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), friend Brian (Walker with stand-ins including brothers Caleb and Cody Walker after Paul’s death) and nephew Jack, Dom receives a phone-call from a man threatening his family before a bomb sent from Tokyo destroys the Toretto house. Discovering Han (Sung Kang) is dead and DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is in the hospital after a severe beating Dom gets the crew back together: Brian, Letty, Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) to go after the man revealed to be Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) brother of Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who has sworn revenge for putting him in a coma. Dom and his crew are ready to fight off Shaw, but they need to do something first for a special ops unit. Headed by Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) Dom and his crew agree to help the government obtain a computer program called God’s Eye (basically Big Brother) as well as the person behind it, a hacker named Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel). However the mercenary that has her, Mose Jakanda (Djimon Hounsou) is not going to let her or God’s Eye go without a fight. With Deckard following close behind Dom and his crew are on their most dangerous adventure yet, which also includes an amazing fight between Letty and an Abu Dhabi security guard named Kara (Ronda Rousey). I cannot go more without spoiling the rest of the movie, but I promise this: there will not be a dry eye in the house the last few moments of the movies it pays tributes to Paul Walker.

I think the film was anticipated by many Fast and non-Fast fans because of how they were going to retire Walker’s character, and I thought how it happened was absolutely perfect; I can promise looking around the the theater people were crying from little tears to full blow sobbing. The movie itself could not have been better: the writing, action and characters were at their highest peak. The stunts done by either the cast or the cars were just mind boggling; in other words probably more than any other Fast film throw logic out the window (a car drives thru three buildings for crying out loud!) Jason Statham was perfect as Deckard Shaw; easily topping his brother in the previous film as the best bad guy in the Fast franchise until recently but that is for another day. I think this might be my favorite of the Fast franchise so far if anything for what the filmmakers and cast did for Paul Walker’s character and the actor himself. I might even call this film the must-see movie of the entire Fast franchise. While obviously you should watch at least five and six before this one Furious 7 will leave any action fan happy and anyone with a heart swelling with a smidgen of happy and sad. One last thing, do not forget to watch I Am Paul Walker on the Paramount Network airing tonight.

Movie Review: Fast & Furious 6

For those that stayed until the end of the previous film they were not shocked to see how the next Fast film, released in 2013, continued. For those that had no clue they were surprised by a ghost from the teams past and another exciting adventure. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

After their successful heist in the previous film Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew have gone their separate ways as they avoid the police. Dom lives with Elena (Elsa Pataky), Brian (Paul Walker) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) have a son named Jack, Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) are enjoying their wealth while Han (Sung Kang) and Gisele (Gal Gadot) are still living together. Their lives of luxury soon come to an end when DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) finds Dom; however instead of arresting Dom Hobbs has come with a deal. Special ops soldier and former British SAS major Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) has been stealing tech needed to build a device worth millions on the black market and Hobbs, along with his partner Riley Hicks (Gina Carano) have had trouble capturing him. Dom is not interested, until Hobbs shows him a picture of someone helping out Shaw: the not so dead Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez). Dom and his crew come together to help Hobbs, in exchange for amnesty to their past crimes. In London Dom finds Letty who shoots him on site, it is later revealed that Letty did survive her car accident in the fourth film, but is suffering from amnesia. Determined to save the woman he loves Dom and his crew team up with their one time foe Hobbs to stop Shaw. I probably shouldn’t go further without spoiling the movie (stay until the very end to get the answer many waited for since the third film) but the highlights of the movie can be described in three t’s: Tragedy, Traitor and Tank!

The bar for the Fast franchise had been set a little high after the fifth film and while I don’t think the sixth addition reached as high as it should have been it got close. The action took a big step up with the cars, especially during the climatic car chase involving the tank as Shaw basically did not care who he ran over; my jaw was on the floor the entire time the tank was on-screen. I have yet to check it, but it would not surprise me if the body count in this film was the highest in the entire franchise. The story I thought was pretty good and the entire cast did a fantastic job in their respective roles. It was great to see Rodriguez return to her role as Letty, I know many fans of the movies were irritated by her amnesia storyline but thankfully they did not have to suffer for long. If I have to be honest the stand out for me was Luke Evans. He was perfect as Owen Shaw; I actually thought for some time he was the best bad guy in the Fast franchise until he was topped in the next film but that is for another day. I definitely think if you liked the previous Fast films, particularly the fifth, Fast & Furious 6 will definitely keep any action fan on the edge of their seat.

Movie Review: Fast Five

If anyone thought Fast and Furious was dead after the fourth film they were very much mistaken. This film released in 2011 not only revived the franchise; it completely changed the entire movies going forward. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is set to be transported to prison after the events of the previous film; however he is broken out by his friend Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and his sister Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster). The trio manages to evade authorities and head to Rio de Janeiro. Reuniting with their old friend Vince (Matt Schulze) they get caught up in the activities of crime lord Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). Discovering a computer chip containing Reyes criminal finances (about $100 million in cash) Dom, Brian, Mia (who is pregnant with Brian’s child) recruit Vince, Roman Pierce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), Han (Sung Kang), Gisele (Gal Gadot) who develops a relationship with Han, Leo (Tego Calderón) and Santos (Don Omar) into stealing the money. While they plan Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) arrives in Rio determined to bring in Dom and his family; recruiting Elena Neves (Elsa Pataky) a local police officer who Dom becomes attracted too. However when Hobbs catches up with Dom at the same time as Reyes’s men and gunfire breaks out the heist soon becomes very personal for all involved. I probably shouldn’t say anymore, but watch the film until the end for a surprise.

Returning to the original roots of being a heist film is one of the reasons I think Fast Five is one of the better films in the franchise. That is what drew people in the films in the first place: incredible action and watching the “bad guys” get away with a nearly impossible crime with police following. Watching how Dom and his crew pulling off the heist (specifically pulling out the gigantic safe) is thrilling to watch. Diesel, Walker, Brewster, Gibson, Bridges, Kang, Gadot, Schulze, Calderón and Omar shined once again as their respective characters, Almeida was a pretty good bad guy, and Pataky was a great addition as Elena. However I think Fast fans are in agreement when I say adding in Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs was the best thing the franchise could have done. While he was already a huge star Johnson’s acting ability really improved with these movies. The writing was much better in this film compared to the last two, the action stepped up, the cars were gorgeous, the characters become more developed; overall Fast Five for the longest time was considered to be the best Fast yet (it might still be in some people’s minds.) I definitely think if you have watched the previous Fast films and think about giving it up do me a favor and watch this one; it might change your mind. Even if you are not a huge fan of these movies this one will get any action film fan excited; it might even make someone a fan of the franchise.

Movie Review: Fast & Furious

Out of the entire Fast franchise so far many fans have said that this is the weakest one yet. While I do agree that the fourth installment is not the best it does have its moments. Fast & Furious, more commonly known as Fast and Furious Four, also establishes events prior to Tokyo Drift and future films with the characters fans have come to know and love. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Set five years after the first film Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) have been hijacking fuel tankers in the Dominican Republic, along with a new crew including Han (Sung Kang), Tego (Tego Calderón) and Santos (Don Omar). However when police start closing in the crew is forced to split up; despite promising to ride or die together Dom leaves Letty in order to protect her. Months later Dom receives a call from his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) that Letty has been murdered. Dom discovers evidence leading to Letty’s killer which reunites him and Mia with their old friend, and FBI agent, Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker). Brian has been tracking down drug lord Arturo Braga who has been trafficking drugs from Mexico into the United States, while Dom knows Braga and his henchman Fenix (Laz Alonso) are responsible for Letty’s death; forcing the two to team up once again to take down Braga along with Mia (who rekindles her relationship with Brian) and Brago’s liaison Gisele (Gal Gadot) after Dom saves her life. About as far as I can go without giving away the rest of the movie.

As stated previously many fans would agree that this is the weakest Fast film to date and they are right. While the chemistry between the original characters (Dom, Brian, Letty and Mia) are still there, the addition of Gisele brought in a few more guys to the movie, and the racing/car chase scene were not bad (the one at the end of the film in the tunnels I thought was pretty good) it could not save the story. It was basically a heist movie involving heroin and fast cars; while they tried to incorporate Letty’s death into it future films kinda made it useless. If you want to watch the film you can; it does explain just a little bit of what is happening at the beginning of the fifth film. Otherwise I’d skip it.

Movie Review: 2 Fast 2 Furious

When it comes to the Fast films this 2003 sequel, and the only one to not feature Vin Diesel, is often regarded as the most underrated out of the so far eight films. I will get more into that in my review a bit later on; in the meantime a spoiler alert is being issued. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

After letting Toretto get away in the previous film Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) has been on the run from his former superiors. Brian makes a living off of illegal street races, usually organized by his friend Tej Parker (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges). During one race Brian gets captured by FBI agents, after being recognized by U.S customs officer Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes). However Brian is given the chance to be pardoned for his crimes if he helps the undercover Fuentes (whom he is attracted too and the feeling is mutual) take down Argentinian drug lord Carter Verone (Cole Hauser). Brian agrees but only if he picks a partner to help him maintain his cover. His pick, his old friend and sharp tongued Roman Pierce (Tyrese Gibson) who is currently on house arrest. Roman blames Brian for his time in jail and refuses; until he gets the same offer as Brian. The two soon get in to Verone’s circle, but when the drug lord becomes suspicious and the FBI gets impatient Brian and Roman must come up with a plan to stop Verone from fleeing the country to avoid the charges against him.

As I stated earlier many fans of the franchise have stated that the first sequel to the Fast films is the most underrated. I might have to agree with the statement solely based on the performances of not only Paul Walker but of other actors the fans have come to know and love throughout the franchise; of course I’m talking about Tyrese Gibson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. The two of them have been comedy gold for the rest of the franchise; I know there have been rumors about Gibson’s future with the franchise but there hasn’t been any news as of this date so I hope it’s good news. I think Mendes is a pretty good actress and her chemistry with Walker was not bad, but his on-screen relationship with Jordana Brewster’s character throughout the franchise is much better. I think the action in the film is very good; particularly towards the end of the film with the decoy cars and the unrealistic car jump onto the boat (I know I have to suspend my disbelief with these movies but come on.) Overall I think if you liked the first Fast and Furious film and want to continue this sequel is worth continuing.

Movie Review: The Fast and the Furious

I made a promise a very long time ago that I would review these movies and I am a woman of my word. With the upcoming documentary I Am Paul Walker set to air on Paramount Network on August 11 I wanted to finally go in to full reviews of without question Walker’s most famous films. As I stated in another one of my blogs which you can view here, my family have become fans of the Fast franchise over the past few years and I can honestly say these movies, while I’m not much of a car person, are downright exciting. With currently eight films released, at least two more official ones and a spin off in production as well as an animated TV series set for Netflix I do not see Fast and Furious franchise stopping anytime soon. In the meantime let’s go back to the first film released in 2001 to see how one of the most successful film franchises of all time. As always, and because it is unavoidable, spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

After a series of thefts involving electronics are stolen off of trucks and the thieves are using cars to make is possible LAPD becomes desperate to stop the thieves. Undercover detective Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) has been assigned to get close to whom police believe is the person responsible for the hijacking: street racer Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel) along with his crew of girlfriend Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) Vince (Matt Schulze), Jesse (Chad Lindberg) and Leon (Johnny Strong). Brain does by getting involved with Dom’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) and legitimately falls for her. Brain also slowly earns Dom’s respect behind the wheel as they outrace the police and other street racers. When an old rival of Dom’s Johnny Tran (Rick Yune) emerges Brian thinks he’s found the right guy behind the hijacking; however his supervisors accuse him of getting too close to Dom and his crew. Brian must soon decide whether his dream job and losing the people he has become friendly with are worth the risk especially when he learns truckers are now arming themselves against the thieves.

While I would not say this is the best of the Fast franchise this was definitely a great way to start it. Walker, Diesel, Rodriguez and Brewster are absolutely great in their respective roles as their characters grow throughout the films. The action is very good; especially when it involves a car. I will say that the stunts have improved dramatically since this, but it doesn’t mean they weren’t bad. In terms of story it wasn’t bad; it has evolved a bit more over the next films so I can easily forgive that. I think if you are going to start the Fast films, you have to start with the first film.

Fast and Furious Franchise, surprisingly a fan

Yesterday would have been Paul Walker’s 44th birthday. While he did do other movies he will forever be known as Brian O’Conner in one of the most successful movie franchises of all time: The Fast and the Furious. (I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.) Now I am going to be honest, I was not a fan of these movies when they first came out; never a car person nor into action movies at the time. However as more and more of them were coming out my curiosity was getting the better of me. I asked my friends and people I work with if these movies were worth watching, and they all said yes (though some are better than others.) I was still unsure until I turned on the 5:00 news on November 30, 2013.

I wasn’t even looking at the TV when I heard “actor killed.” I looked up and saw Paul Walker’s face. While his name at the time escaped me, I and my family knew exactly who that was and what franchise he was in. My heart immediately went out to his family and his friends. I knew the seventh film was being shot at the time; part of me was wondering how the filmmakers were going to do with the character. Finally the news broke of them retiring the character and I actually let out a sigh of relief; giving how he died I was a little worried.

When the seventh movie came out I had to see it; mostly to see what they did with Paul Walker’s character. I knew they used old scenes, some CGI and his look alike brothers to finish the film but I thought they did the best they could. As the final scene took place I took a look around the theater at the people. A few people (guys and girls) were letting out a few tears as the flashbacks were shown; this woman in front of me was completely sobbing. I finally decided to give in and watch the other films; now this is where it gets interesting.

Originally I was going to rent them on Netflix, but then the films were coming on TV, 1-6 at least. I decided to take them off my DVD queue and record them on my DVR. I had a day off and watched the first three with my parents in the room. At first they were not really paying attention, looking up every now and then and asking questions, something I’m used to, but then I put on the third film, Tokyo Drift. Doing research before the films I knew the timeline and was explaining it to my parents. That got their attention and confusion; “but how does that make sense?” I said “well we are going to have to watch all of them then.” It took an entire summer with our schedules but we got through the six films on our DVR and then I moved up Furious 7 for us to watch. And much to my surprise my parents liked the movies. By coincidence after we watched Furious 7, the trailer for The Fate of the Furious came out. Sadly we have not been able to watch the film do to our busy schedules, but I have it on my DVD queue and will move it up once I get a few movies off.

Now my mom likes a lot of action films so I was not too surprised with her. My dad on the other hand I can never tell if he likes something or he is messing with me. I do know this; he is a guy that cannot suspend his disbelief for a second. So those over the top stunts in the films, he is sitting there going “oh come on, that’s not possible.” And as I’ve told him everyone knows that but in the movie at the time NO ONE CARED! He is also a guy that tends to joke around with frequently repeated words (I cannot watch Criminal Minds with him in the room without closed captions and a headache anytime the word unsub comes up), so whenever Vin Diesel or anyone else say the word “family” he has to repeat it in a poor Vin Diesel voice.
Besides that my family and I have very surprisingly become not huge fans but fans of the franchise and once we watch the latest film of the franchise I will give my reviews. I promise my “You Only Live Twice” review is coming soon, but I want to keep writing about the movies and TV shows I have watched and recommend for all of you.