Dem Reviews: Fast Five

The “Fast & Furious” franchise and I have a long history together. I’ve been there since the beginning, through the highs to the lows. The characters aren’t deep but after spending so much time (5 friggan’ movies is a long time) with these people, you can’t help but to feel even the slightest connection with them. Like reading a serialized comic or watching a soap opera, continuity helps build a universe and your return is entirely dependent on how much one decides to invest. For those of you not interested in that stuff, I’ll give you the quick & easy review: if you liked the last film in the franchise or are in need for a decent heist movie, go check this film out and you will not be disappointed. The very epitome of the term “popcorn movie”, “Fast Five” does what it came to do and does it very competently.

My main pet peeve with this film, like the last, is that although the action in the film is pretty consistent, it really lacked an action set piece that hadn’t already been spoiled in the trailers but these days, it’s almost impossible to expect that. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a welcome addition to the series and added a much needed physical nemesis to Diesel’s Toretto character. Finally being able to see Dom throw down with someone at the same level as him was pretty awesome and the build up to the match was well done. The fancy cars are there but street racing has been taking a back seat since the last film (a point that has been fueling rumors that the series will be moving from it’s roots in the racing scene and focus on becoming a good ol’ fashion heist film franchise) but we still get plenty of car porn.

Director Justin Lin has almost pulled off his own version of next summer’s “The Avengers” with “Fast Five” in that he been able to pull together characters from the previous films in the franchise and almost creating s super team-up of his own.. As a fan, it was pretty damn awesome to see characters from as far back as the first film reappear and further the mythology. We see Vince’s scars on his arm, the aftermath of the finale from the first film. Brian keeps the Skyline fetish going as he drives into Rio driving a classic 60’s variety of the Nissan car. Reference to Han going back to Tokyo is also keeps the continuity in check (“Fast Five” still takes place before the events of “Tokyo Drift,” the third film in the franchise). Sure, these little thing aren’t a big deal within the context of this film but it’s those kind of small touches that made the film that much more special for anyone who’s been keeping track of the series.

You already know if you’re gonna see this film regardless of what you read anywhere but I’d say it’s definitely worth a visit to your local theater to peep out. If you’ve been a fan of the series, you’ll get a lot more out of this than most people will but if not, there’s plenty here for you to remain entertained.