FAST X

Is the Fast & Furious franchise deserving of a triumphant victory lap? That's the central question surrounding the evaluation of "Fast X," a film that shamelessly resembles a Greatest Hits compilation from a highly successful artist. Not only does it directly tie into the monumental narrative shift of "Fast Five," but it continuously references other films in the series, either through explicit mentions or action sequences designed to evoke similar moments from "Fast & Furious 6," "Furious 7," and "The Fate of the Furious." Penned by Dan Mazeau and directed by Justin Lin (who departed the project due to creative differences, leaving his absence felt particularly in the choreography of action), the script feels like a self-referential loop, often veering into parody rather than providing a fresh entry that can stand on its own merits. Although the film offers entertainingly absurd action set pieces, greatly enhanced by Jason Momoa's enjoyable performance, there's an unmistakable sense of familiarity throughout "Fast X," rendering it more akin to reheated leftovers than a revitalized experience. It's worth noting that this film reportedly inaugurates a trilogy that will bring the series to a close. Let's hope that within the next two installments, they manage to introduce at least one innovative concept.

Perhaps it's the heavy-handed approach of director Louis Leterrier towards these beloved characters, but the initial scenes of "Fast X" rank among the weakest moments across all ten films. They comprise an abundance of conversations revolving around family, legacy, and other Fast & Furious tropes. While it's expected for a character like Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) to emphasize the significance of family, it becomes somewhat excessive when accompanied by sentimental music and dreamy shots of him gazing at stills of Paul Walker. This presented an opportunity to portray "Old Man Dom" — after all, he is 56 years old — yet Diesel and his team seem uncertain about how to achieve that beyond making their tough guy slightly introspective. The early sequences possess an odd construction, excessively relying on the oft-parodied trope of Dom repeatedly uttering the word "family." In doing so, they undermine what made the franchise shine during its best chapters (films five through seven), reducing Toretto and his crew to their most superficial qualities. While profound character development is not anticipated at this stage, the incessant scenes of Dom grunting "family" and appearing worried when he sees his son, 'Little B' (Leo Abelo Perry), seem excessive.

"Fast X" substantially improves when Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa) commences his plan to torment Dom and his furious family. Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) embark on a mission to Rome, which ultimately turns out to be a trap orchestrated by Reyes, the son of Hernan Reyes, who met his demise when Dom and his crew maneuvered a safe through the streets of Rio in "Fast Five." Dante repeatedly asserts that he doesn't seek to kill Dom but rather wishes to make him suffer. To achieve this, an intricate scheme is devised to frame the group as terrorists after a bomb detonates in the Italian capital. Adhering to the franchise's formula since the falling out between Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, this plan serves as a means to drive a wedge between the crew members. Roman, Tej, Ramsey, and Han (Sung Kang) flee to London, where they inevitably cross paths with Shaw (Jason Statham). Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) finds herself captured, and only Tess (Brie Larson), Mr. Nobody's daughter, and Cipher (Charlize Theron) can secure her release. Notably, this concise summary doesn't even encompass the involvement of John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Daniela Melchior, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, or Alan Ritchson, making for an incredibly crowded and action-packed blockbuster.

Curiously, despite the star-studded cast, many of these well-known faces are given disappointingly limited roles. The banter between Roman and Tej feels more tired than ever, while Moreno and Mirren are each granted just one scene of supporting Dom that sounds as though it were generated by an artificial intelligence program. Cena finds himself trapped on an awkwardly conceived and executed road trip alongside Perry. Only Theron and Rodriguez manage to inject some genuine fun into the narrative with their subplot, engaging in an exhilarating combat sequence that stands out as one of the film's highlights. Ultimately, "Fast X" revolves around the dynamic between Dom and Dante, and the movie is most effective when it capitalise on the contrasting screen personas of Diesel and Momoa. Diesel exudes stoicism, while Momoa channels a flamboyant and unhinged demeanor, akin to a larger-than-life superhero-child who eagerly jumps into chaos, tongue sticking out, exclaiming, "Here we go!"

"Fast X" begins by revisiting one of the franchise's most iconic scenes from "Fast Five," cleverly inserting a de-aged Momoa into the action, evoking a sense of nostalgia for fans. It almost feels as though this concept served as the driving force behind the entire film's creation. A whiteboard likely listed the best action scenes, with the question of how Momoa's Dante could elevate their energy. At times, this approach succeeds. A drag race in Rio recaptures the grounded essence of the series when it focused on high-speed driving rather than defying the laws of physics. There's a heart-pounding moment involving a car dropped from a plane and harpoons with attached wires. Yet, even when the over-the-top action works, it's challenging to shake off the feeling that "Fast X" is an echo of past spectacles, often executed more masterfully by directors who possess a deeper understanding of stunt work and action geography than the somewhat mediocre Leterrier. Adding to the underwhelming visuals, the film suffers from poorly rendered CGI, with actors appearing noticeably against green-screen backdrops, diluting the sense of real stakes as we witness more visual effects than practical stunts.

All of these shortcomings become even more unforgivable considering where "Fast X" ultimately lands, or rather, doesn't land. Without delving into spoilers, Diesel has disclosed that this film marks the beginning of a trilogy that will conclude the franchise. This information likely leaked before the premiere to soften the blow of a blockbuster lacking a satisfying ending. To put it in perspective, we're talking about a climax on par with "Avengers: Infinity War." Characters are left presumed dead, in peril, and divided. As a result, "Fast X" offers a race down memory lane that essentially leads nowhere, leaving fans yearning for resolution. Instead of a victory lap, the film feels like a loud and extravagant engine revving, without even crossing the starting line. It further reinforces the notion that this installment priorities financial gains over the core values of family and entertainment.