Fast X: A Spoiler-Filled Discussion
***As the title would suggest, full spoilers for Fast X follow***
To this day I still do not quite understand the vitriolic hatred that the Fast and the Furious franchise gets. They're well made movies and deliver what they promise to: over the top action and interesting set pieces. Since Fast Five, the laws of physics have relaxed to the point that they're more "loose suggestions of physics" and the movies are entertaining enough to make them worth watching. Much like the predecessors, Fast X brings the high octane action to viewers in a way that is enjoyable for most viewers.
What Worked
The dynamic between Jakob (John Cena) and Dom's son is endearing and entertaining for the runtime. Maybe I don't remember The Fast Saga as well as I thought I did but I don't remember Jakob reconciling with Dom and the rest of the family to this degree but him showing up felt right regardless. His action sequences work well and are some of the more interesting physical fight sequences in the movie.
The chase sequences in the film also work very well, both the confrontation in Rome in the beginning and the action sequences in both Rio De Janeiro and Portugal are kinetic and entertaining that it makes the more boring aspects of the middle of the movie worth it.
On a final note, the movie works almost entirely because of Jason Momoa's performance. He plays Dante almost like the Joker with a manic and chaotic cruelty that is entertaining to watch in a warped way. Watching him and how his mannerisms flip is worth the price of admission alone.
What Didn't Work
The first big issue is the ending, which is incredibly predictable since this movie was always designed to be part one of two. It ends with the majority of the cast possibly dead or possibly alive which could work if not for the subsequent scene's resurrection of a character who has been dead for multiple movies, only to come back without explanation. Granted, this will probably be explored in the inevitable sequel, but for right now, it feels out of left field. The problem comes down to how characters are grouped, which makes the stakes feel less real. Grouping four members of the family to be possibly killed in one way while leaving Dom and his son for dead feels silly.
The other issue is that the time starting when the team splits up until the end can be boring without a ton of action to break up the monotony. The dialogue can get repetitive as Tej, Ramsey, Han, and Roman reiterate any time they're on screen the severity of their situation as if the writers know the movie will end up broken up with commercials on cable. The entire plot doesn't come to anything however and the comedic moments don't quite land right so it feels like the entire thing could have been cut since all it really nets is sending Shaw off on his own side-quest.
How Should You See This Movie?
The effects may be spotty sometimes, but when they work, they really work. Maybe it is a little long, or maybe there is room to cut, but the action sequences really pop on Dolby Cinema, IMAX, or other premium format screens. The ending is a little predictable, especially considering the film is being sold as the first part of two, however, it is still well executed enough to be worth the large format screen.
★★★★★
