Most movies that end up with multiple sequels can’t hold up after the first few follow-ups. What’s amazing about the Fast and Furious franchise is that they didn’t hold up, and yet, here we are. It took them until “Fast Five” to really break their stride by figuring out exactly what they are. And by indulging fans with manly men doing things no man can do, lots of women doing things no woman should do and fast cars breaking every logical inclination and law of physics simultaneously.
“Furious 7” is more of this glorious indulgence but with some deeply heartfelt moments that raise it above the pattern of the other follow-ups.
It’s extremely difficult to talk about acting in these movies because nobody really appears to be acting. Vin Diesel’s acting range is limited to three emotions: angry, angrier and mildly amused. As for the Fast and Furious franchise, that’s more than enough. Given that the script is riddled with hit-or-miss one-liners, the delivery is what makes a few of them stick, particularly from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Tyrese Gibson is as likeable as ever, and Kurt Russell and Jason Statham both make excellent additions to the franchise. Statham’s introduction is the highlight of his screen time, as well as his mano-a-mano fight with Johnson. If there are any two men in this world that you do not want to mess with, it’s those two.
If you’ve seen any of the Fast and Furious movies, you know that the whole idea is setting up _massive_ action set pieces and executing them, well, furiously. The set pieces get bigger, more awe-inspiring and more ridiculous as the film progresses. The set pieces here are among the best we’ve seen from this franchise, particularly the scenes in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, this stretch of scenes debatably overshadows the climax, which is still spectacular in its own right, just less unique. However, I am here to reassure you that the film is still at the breakneck speed we’ve come to expect and is filled to the brim with events that will take your breath away. Fortunately, you don’t have to have seen any of the other movies to piece together this one, but there are enough references to the previous films to be rewarding to fans.
In his first run in the director’s chair of a Fast and Furious movie, James Wan does a great job of staying true to what the fans love about the franchise. Wan is typically a director of horror films so this seamless transition is no small feat. The only downside is that the editing seems a bit haphazard compared to what Justin Lin was able to achieve in “Fast Five” and “Fast and Furious 6,” but this is forgivable, since it seems to inherently compliment the cornerstone of the franchise: speed.
**Minor spoilers ahead.** There is one scene in particular in Abu Dhabi where they drive a car between three skyscrapers. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve seen a good portion of this scene. The last skyscraper contains an art gallery that they absolutely demolish with the supercar that Dom lifted _with his bare hands_ and stole from a billionaire. I could be over-analyzing this, but this shenanigan seems to be a huge, muscular middle finger to criticizers of the franchise. Sure, the idea that movies are an art form has its place, but “Furious 7” shows that movies can be pure entertainment, and that doesn’t mean that they can’t be meaningful. **End spoilers.**
What sets “Furious 7” apart from its counterparts is its heart. Paul Walker was an integral part of the series from its inauguration, and his loss can be felt tremendously at the end of this movie. They handle his real-life death _flawlessly_ and with such respect that it cuts deep. From a franchise that can be regarded as “stupid” (rightfully so, in some cases), this tragedy was handled with such emotional deftness that it acts as a counterargument to that notion. The final monologue by Vin Diesel (I say Vin Diesel and not Dominic Toretto for a reason) is the perfect tribute this man’s brother, Paul Walker. It truly is a shame they are making two more films because this would have been the perfect note to end it on.
**Pass the Popcorn if:** You liked any of the first six entries. You’re exhausted after Oscar season. You hate physics. You want to see a man flex out of a cast.
**Pass it Up if:** You are physically incapable of turning your brain off. You don’t have a box of tissues handy. You don’t like seeing grown men treat cars that cost more than some homes like Hot Wheels.
