Review: Fast and Furious 5
Fast Five Currently the number 1 film in the UK and the fifth of a franchise; Fast and Furious 5 or ‘Fast 5’ is a thrilling ride. Granted, a lot of people are going to call it big and stupid, or advise you to leave your brain at the door but it’s simply the fact that it is so ridiculous that makes it oh so good. It is escapism at it’s best.
Starring the original leads Vin Diesel and Paul Walker as Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Connor respectively, the movie also brings in some star power from characters established in previous films of the franchise including Tyrese Gibson (whose comic timing is pretty noteworthy), Ludacris and Jordana Brewster as well as new recruit Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Picking up exactly where Fast and Furious (the fourth in the franchise) left off, the film follows Dom, Brian and Mia (Brewster) on a whirlwind ride for a final job, to steal $100 million dollars from Rio’s most dangerous drug lord and then in Dom’s words ‘disappear forever’. In order to pull off their heist they must reunite with old (and not to mention adept) acquaintances, each with their own special niche capability. The heist is comparable to that of Ocean’s Eleven, if you pump it full of adrenaline. However, stealing a $100m from a pissed of drug lord isn’t the only obstacle, the police have enlisted the help of Special Agent Hobbs (The Rock) to bring in Dom and Brian.
Director Justin Lin really hits his stride in this movie, after a shaky takeover of the franchise with Tokyo Drift and a satisfying turn with Fast and Furious, he has truly outdone himself with Fast 5. He ties in the past films beautifully and creates a fantastically electrifying movie.
The film in a word is exhilarating. Easily the best in the franchise, the film manages to cram so many different emotions in from comedy, drama, pure unadulterated action and a sprinkle of romance that it is difficult not to appreciate the style with which it is pulled off because if not anything else the film oozes a raw sexiness. The stunts are spectacular and the performances refreshing.
Do stay till the end of the credits, you’ll be in for a special treat.
