By now we all know what you expect when we watch a Fast and Furious film or do we? The franchise is known to swerve in a range of different directions here and there. (Tokyo Drift for example) and Fast and Furious Nine is no different but with Justin Lin back at the helm, the film has everything we love about the franchise with a little bit of extra sass and well…space.
The film sees Cipher (Charlize Theron) team up with Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) long lost brother Jakob (John Cena) to bring revenge on Dom, who at the start of the film is tucked away in the desert trying to live a normal family life with his son and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) This was a rather different role for Cena and one he filled quite well considering the enormity of the film and the franchise. It is quite hard to find someone who is able to square up to Dominic Toretto and Cena’s Jakob hit the spot well.
A memorable and fun part of the film has to be the reemergence of Queenie, a criminal badass (Dame Helen Mirren). The chase involving Queenie, Dom, and the police was a highlight of the film. It was beautifully shot and Dame Helen was able to capture being the coolest badest chic in the room while also demonstrating the heart and warmth we all know and love.
Very few films can live up to the car chases this franchise is known for and Fast Nine was no exception. The adrenaline, the choreography, the way in which each chase keeps you enticed in entirely down to Lim and his direction for the scenes.
What the film could have done without is the space element. It didn’t make sense in the grand scheme of the film and in truth was just a ploy to allow Ray and TJ (Played by Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris) to stretch their comedic chops and while it certainly made you laugh, the laughter was partially down to the absurdity of the scene rather than the comedic element of the film.
Fast Nine also see the resurrection of Han (Sung Kang) and the introduction of Elle (Anna Sawai) who is the key Cipher and Jakob have been looking for. It provides a heartfelt moment in the film which allows the characters to develop so you can resonate with them along with enjoying the car chases. Han’s reemergence reinstates the family element of the film and is one of the reasons we become invested in these wacky characters because of the bonds they all share.
Was the film perfect? no. Did it have plot holes and crazy twists that didn’t always make sense? yes but you get what you come to this franchise for. An entertaining heartwarming blockbuster, which if you ask me, is exactly what the world needs right now.
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