'The Fate of the Furious' is the exhausting 8th entry of the prolonged series of criminal street racers turned super spies. Undeniably, this series has an enormous following since 2001, but after sixteen years on the streets, are these films finally running on empty?
1. The plot really isn't anything special to say the least. The film starts off with Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) enjoying their honeymoon in Cuba. However, nothing good lasts forever - enter Charlize Theron, who plays the mysterious 'Cipher' who almost immediately blackmails Dom with a serious yet unknown leverage that is revealed later in the film. No time is wasted as we are thrust into the fast-paced action. From the trailers it's clear that Dom betrays his team due to his reluctant affiliation with Cipher, but anyone with a brain-stem knows that that's something which hits a dead end lol.
2. F. Gary Gray has done some very entertaining and captivating films in the past, but it seems no matter the director, this series seems to follow a specific pattern at this point. Not that it's a huge complaint, but since the 4th film, the style of action seems to repeat itself even into this one. I give credit for how inventive the action and set-pieces are, but yet again, the film-makers can't help themselves but push things way over the top. The last action sequence in particular where the team travels to icy Russia to face Cipher and Dom in the final showdown, is where I drew the line of sheer belief. Words can't even begin to describe the pain.
3. If there was to be a comparison between this and the 'Mission:Impossible' films, I'd follow Tom Cruise any day. I can't believe I'd see the day when Tom Cruise's death-defying stunts would be more plausible that Vin Diesel and The Rock's. The underlying story of 'Family' is still beating like a heart without a body. For someone who was with this theme since it's inception, I'm utterly tired of these film constantly cramming down my throat the importance of family. Even though he wasn't the greatest of actors, Paul Walker really did bring some kind of balance especially with his story and background.
4. I gave 'Furious 7' a pass because it was in essence a farewell to Walker, although I enjoyed this one just an inch more. There should have been a new running theme in this film and left the family matters in the previous since it ended on such a perfect and emotional note. I know it's been said before, but Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson are more of the outstanding characters as far as performances go. Charlize Theron does bring a fresh take for a female villain, but her role isn't as large as one might think. Vin Diesel and the rest of the cast don't really bring anything new as they play their respective roles as one-note as possible.
If you're an action and car junkie, then this is the movie for you. It's fast, it's loud and with as many close-up shots of women's butts as possible. Have at it.
