Thanks for checking out our Fast Five Review
Genre: Action
Directed by: Justin Lin
Staring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson
Released: April 29,2011
THE GENERAL IDEA
Since Brian and Mia Toretto (Brewster) broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he’s not the only one on their tail.
Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) never misses his target. When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them. But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first.
THE GOOD
Dwayne Johnson owns in this movie. There is something I didn’t like about his character, but at the end of the day that spoilerific detail isn’t his fault. This is the role Johnson was meant to play. A character of authority who deserves every inch of presence he brings to the screen. Please no more Tooth Fairy movies. THIS is the Johnson I want to see.
And on that note, this is also the Vin Diesel I want to see too. Vin, check that Tooth Fairy comment above. Copy/paste to your agent. Thanks. The chemistry of these two massive personalities on screen work well together. The cocky banter and great physicality of these performers is exactly what you expect from a movie like this.
And the plot is a little better in this than previous installments. Typically in this franchise there is one conflict and goal to overcome, while this one dares to layer a few different objectives and obsticles, I really felt like they kept it running on all cylinders.
THE BAD
The action, while good – at times borders on so over the top that it takes you out of the scene. I don’t mind when they make cars do amazing things, thats part of this franchise, but when its clearly impossible stuff that would cripple the most sturdy of vehicles and these guys keep going, I just have to roll my eyes. If this was ALL over the top I would forgive this, but it straddles on the line of legit stunts and crazy over the top too casually.
The movie runs a bit long. When the movie feels like it’s over they go out of their way to wrap up story from some of the lesser characters you weren’t caring about anyways. I give them an A for effort at not leaving those unresolved, but the delivery just drags the movie about 20 minutes past the part that feels like the end.
OVERALL
Really good action that pushes the limits (occassionally tipping over) and some great character interaction and dialogue. Let’s not forget the hot cars. Its everything I would have hoped for from this franchise and kept me awake in a fifth installment. Not bad at all.
I give Fast Five a 7 out of 10
