Fast and Furious 6

Where could I possibly begin with a movie like Fast and Furious 6 or is it Furious 6? But even if it’s known by a handful of different titles, the action definitely overshadows any labeling confusion. Vin Diesel and the gang are back as they come together again to bring down a group of international criminals well versed in “vehicular warfare.” So naturally the government turns to different wanted criminals (the F&F crew) to take them down. Before I break down the film, I should say that two knowledgeable movie fans I screened the feature with left the theater saying that it was the best movie of all-time. Was their NOS filled adrenaline still pumping after the credits wrapped? Yes, so that could have something to do with it, but this is a statement about how appealing this franchise has become and what American’s expect in a summer blockbuster.

With all of the important characters returning from the team-up action of the fifth film, the script for Fast 6 was forced to add some humanity to the massive plot. With (almost) all of the characters surviving 5, there was a real sense that this group was untouchable in terms of onscreen mortality. That’s not the case here. With children being born, commitments for the future and returning flames, the audience is given a look at these super-criminals beginning to settle into relatable human beings. Well guess what, everyone doesn’t make it home in the end. In terms of performances, it’s really what you would expect from all of the regulars. Paul Walker is marginalized a bit as Diesel is frequently labeled the undisputed leader. Also with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson now on the same side as the other leads, he has less of an edge this time around. Ludacris and Tyrese change into a duo used almost exclusively for comic relief for some reason, but they excel in the role. I also have to mention Luke Evans, who does a great job as the lead villain.

Is anyone watching this franchise for their emotional connections to the characters? I’m thinking the fast cars are a more likely focal point. The cars are pretty awesome. From a souped-up Dodge Dart to a Maserati and the villainous weird formula 1 looking race car that flips your car when it hits you, there are plenty of cars all over the place in the movie. Some stunts defy physics and actually caused me to laugh in the theater. But others cheered and clapped at these moments. So I guess others better-appreciated the spectacle.

In a cinematic landscape that includes The Avengers, studios are hard at work trying to add an epic touch to their franchises. Sure enough Furious 6 achieves that with a scene that finally ties in the black sheep of the franchise, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift from 2006. The franchise now has a cohesive timeline set off with a new villain emerging in a scene that plays during the credits. It’s a cool moment. I have to disagree and say Fast and Furious 6 is not the best movie of all-time. It’s not even the best movie released this month. But it is a massive blockbuster that uses a cast who, excluding Johnson, would have little pull as independent leads. The film is a sum of its parts, which happen to fit perfectly together. “Ride or die.”

Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.