‘Fast X’ is the 10th installment (not counting spinoff 'Hobbs and Shaw') in Universal Studio's High-Octane-Vehicular-Soap-Opera-Juggernaut, 'The Fast and the Furious,' and it is as gleefully ridiculous and over the top as ever.
In 'Fast X,' Dominic Toretto (Vin Diseal) and his crew, composed of an ever expanding All-star cast, have to face off their most unhinged villain yet, Dante Reyes. Reyes is played deliciously by Jason Mamoa who steels the scenes with his flamboyant joker-esque like portrayal. He is seeking revenge for the death of his father, whom Dom and his crew took out in 'Fast Five'.
Although the action sequences, amongst other things, have managed to reach a new level of bonkers- some of these sequences show resemblance to ones we’ve seen before in previous installments. The series has become a more derivative in its action (and all around) since writer Chris Morgan, who wrote 3-8 and is largely responsible for the series most creative action sequences and emotional heights, is no longer a credited screenwriter.
There are a lot of narrative threads to follow in 'Fast X' and for the first time it seems that the filmmakers are building up to more sequels, spinoffs, and what-have-you, which leaves the film often feeling unfocused. It’s also a partial highlights real of the heights of the series featuring more clips, photos, and callbacks than ever before.
That being said, I did enjoy this one more than the last two because it’s the most meta and most ridiculous in terms of action. It also has the highest stakes thanks to Jason Mamoa's wonderful turn as a villain.
‘Fast X’ has a lot of highs and lows as a film and the average movie goer will view it as mindless, adrenaline-fueled entertainment at best. Fans of the series will be pleased for the most part as it steeped in the lore and themes of the franchise. The cliffhanger ending may be the most upsetting for the fans, especially considering Universal Studios does not even have a finished a screenplay let alone started filming Fast X-2, which's tentative release date is in 2025.
MY STAR RATING 3/5 STARS
Visit the Brown Deer Public Library and check out the rest of The Fast and the Furious series.
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