If the movies of the franchise have been successful for something Fast and furious it is because they know what they are. Everything is about –except for the first installment– improbable sequences in which a group of expert car racers lead heists and catch the most wanted criminals on the planet. Bombastic action is what characterizes each chapter of the saga and, due to the way in which that action is choreographed, the public continues to feel attracted to this film universe.
But the reality is that, for many years, everything began to feel repetitive. The movie fast and furious 10 it’s a mildly functional attempt to put everything back on track. Most of it is shameless recycling. However, towards the middle, the project becomes summer entertainment that, now, gives its place to the origin story.
And it is that the cars already mattered little. Starting with his fifth installment, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and company became virtually indestructible government agents who faced death without concern. That carefree energy was also perceived in the scripts, impregnated with indifference towards what was established in 2001. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of that indifference came with that much commented scene presented in the ninth film. There, out of nowhere, Tej (Ludacris) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson) flew into space unprepared inside a four-wheeled vehicle and with nothing more than gas tanks and suits made of aluminum.
However, here everything returns to earth – literally and figuratively. Although the action is still very unbelievable, the self-parody tone is not as present anymore. Yes, all the characters still have superhuman strength, but at least now there is real danger.
This, in large part, is due to the very wise decision to connect the story of this new production with that of Fast and Furious 5 (2011). This is widely considered to be the last of the franchise to have a bit of a connection to reality. He was beginning to perceive the desire not to take things so seriously, but he still hadn’t fully embraced the idea. It was a cop and spy movie. No more. Here that spirit is maintained, more similar to that of 90s feature films such as Breaking point (1991) or the wrecker (1993).
All movie conflict fast and furious 10 begins because Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa) wants to take revenge on Dom and his team, who presumably ended the life of his father, the drug trafficker Hernán Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), in that famous chase scene in Rio de Janeiro, with a great safe in between. That’s all. This is a very conventional revenge narrative.
In fact, the best scene in the movie is its opening. In this one, scenes filmed in 2011 are connected in a very fluid way and with an inspired edition, with new material. In an agile way, Momoa and de Almeida are inserted in fast Five, in which Paul Walker still lived. The trip to the past is moving and very stimulating. But that edition that promised a lot becomes monotonous and clumsy during the rest of the film, which also lasts an excessively long two and a half hours.
To make up for it, there are the three secret weapons of the production. First, the performance of Jason Momoa, who shows an unexpected range by delivering an extremely bizarre but very threatening antagonist. His Dante is volatile and unpredictable, but a lot of fun, and he definitely had a blast on set. It is something like a mix between Simon Phoenix, from the aforementioned the wrecker and Ruby Rhod of The fifth element (1997). A total delirium. At times, she becomes a caricature. However, now, for the first time, a Toretto villain has an interesting personality.
Then, the performance of Brie Larson as Tess, who took over the management of The Agency after the disappearance –death?– of her father, Mr. Nobody. Every scene Larson appears in is refreshing because of the mysterious and teasing quality that she brings to the way she delivers her dialogue.
Finally, there is the style of director Louis Leterrier, who is characterized by his elegant and colorful stagings that place special emphasis on the composition of the paintings. Thanks to this style we remain hooked on moments involving automobiles. Whether it’s a magnificent adrenaline-pumping street race reminiscent of the old glories of the series, or a stunning, well-executed vertical run that has to be seen to be believed.
fast and furious 10 It doesn’t completely break the generic mold of its predecessors, but it incorporates new visual and acting elements into the game that were already necessary. If there will be two more deliveries, at least that is the case.
Jose Roberto Landaverde I love writing, listening, reading and commenting on everything related to cinema. I love music and am a fan of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and Paramore. My favorite movies are Rocky and Back to the Future and obviously one day I’ll climb the Philly Steps and drive a DeLorean. Faithful believer that cinema is the best teleportation machine, and also that on the big screen we can all see ourselves represented.