FAST FIVE
Directed by: Justin Lin
Written by: Chris Morgan
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson
It’s fascinating to watch the trajectory of the FAST AND THE FURIOUS franchise. The first movie was a surprise hit, a mix of hot cars, hot women and, um, Vin Diesel. The second film tried to repeat the success but was way, way off. The third film went in a different direction, heading to Tokyo to regroup and figure out where to go next. Then FAST AND FURIOUS. While it wasn’t great it was a step in the right direction. Diesel was back, Justin Lin was directing again and things were moving forward. They almost got it perfect.
Now we have FAST FIVE. Let me tell you folks, they did it. FAST FIVE is the perfect FAST AND THE FURIOUS film. It’s a fun, loud action film, one that recognizes and embraces its identity. Some will complain that it’s obnoxious or stupid but I think the creators know damn well how obnoxious and stupid it is. They’re fine with it. They should be, they made a great film.
The movie succeeds in two major ways. First, it ditches the fruitless attempts at being dramatic and full of great character development. We no longer have labored backstories or scenes where Paul Walker and Vin Diesel come to blows. Diesel has stopped being a mopey, quiet hero; he is comfortable with his character. Walker is no longer at risk of being fired by his federal bosses. He isn’t a rogue cop anymore, he isn’t a cop at all.
The second welcome change regards the film’s genre. FAST FIVE is a heist film, not all about racing like its predecessors. In fact, there isn’t much street racing at all. This eliminates the tired plots (does every drug cartel use street racers as “mules”?) and let’s writer Chris Morgan have more fun. The story is free to go anywhere and isn’t tied to a repetitive formula. Things have really changed, there were times during FAST FIVE that I couldn’t believe this was a sequel to the movie that started it all back in 2001. Not that I’m complaining.
Justin Lin should be praised for his work. He films the sequences with an aggressive glee that never gets as silly as John Singleton’s 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS. Lin is masterful, his direction is incredibly crisp and deftly realized. The several major action sequences move like well-oiled machines and you never lose focus of what’s happening or where you are. Lin had a lot to do to make this movie a success and he nailed it perfectly. My biggest hope is that he sticks around for any subsequent sequels instead of rebooting THE TERMINATOR with Schwarzenegger. This guy is a major action film talent and I’d hate to see him leave.
The cast is having a blast here. Diesel finally seems at ease again and his subdued, grizzled charm is back. Returning cast members like Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson are welcome additions, as are Gal Gadot and especially Sung Kang. Some have said that Dwayne Johnson doesn’t get enough screen time. I understand that complaint, his character doesn’t really find his place until the last act. Trust me, he makes a difference in the final third of the film.
FAST FIVE gives me hope. It shows some people in Hollywood understand that tweaking what makes a series successful can be a good thing. They can keep working at it, keep trying and might eventually make it just right. FAST FIVE is just right. If Justin Lin, Chris Morgan and this cast are attached, I’m willing to follow the franchise anywhere.
4 out of 5
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