Start your engines! Believe it or not, “Fast & Furious 6” is my introduction to the “Ride or Die” franchise. However, I have done some research and learned that the first one was good, the second one was OK, the third one was awful, the fourth one was better, and the fifth one was great. Well, after thoroughly enjoying this sixth installment, it’s hard to imagine any of them delivered more action and fun than this one.
The opening scene of “F&F6” has Vin Diesel’s Dom and Paul Walker’s Brian doing what they love to do: racing each other. BAM! But this time they’re racing to get to the hospital in time to see Brian and Mia’s (Jordana Brewster) first baby be born. And Dom tells him that things will never be the same. And that turns out to be right.
Then comes an opening credits sequence which includes a montage of highlights from the previous films in the series. A great way to get everyone, including newcomers like me, into the flow. The regular cast of characters is back, but they’re living as fugitives all around the world, thanks to how things went down at the end of the last film. And everyone, including pals Roman and Tej (Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris) are taking full advantage of the millions of dollars they pocketed at the end of “Fast Five”. But the team is called back into action by former foe turned ally Hobbs (played by Dwayne Johnson in his fourth action film this year).
Hobbs needs help in taking down a criminal mastermind named Shaw (Luke Evans) and his team who are based in London and pulling-off a series daring robberies, compiling items that, together, will allow Shaw to steal billions of dollars. The catch: a new photo has surfaced of Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Dom’s former girlfriend and member of the “F&F” family. Everyone thought she was dead, but instead she’s working for Shaw, having lost her memory in the accident that supposedly killed her. She doesn’t remember Dom or the crew, but they agree to help Hobbs so, at the same time, they can bring Letty back. And…cue the car chases.
At least half of the 2 hour and 10 minute running time of “F&F6” is filled with exciting, well-staged and very entertaining action scenes. And the time in between is devoted to conversations about the plans for the next confrontation. And there are a few quiet moments between Dom and Letty as he tries to convince her that they were once together. The storylines are fine, and Shaw is a pretty good villain, but it’s the wild action sequences that have made this such a successful franchise and director Justin Lin pours it on. Is some of it ridiculous and unrealistic? Absolutely – but who cares? Plus, the script is packed with wise cracks, mostly from Gibson and Ludacris. And there’s more than enough here to keep the car junkies happy as well.
Diesel and Walker have proven they can handle these roles, both behind the wheel and in the “dramatic” moments. Gina Carano (“Haywire”) joins the cast as Hobbs’ assistant and Evans is effective as a more down-to-earth, realistic bad guy. “Fast & Furious 6” features some nice plot twists, a satisfying conclusion and a surprise bonus scene, right after the “Do not perform these stunts at home” warning prior to the closing credits, that sets-up July 2014’s “F&F7”.
“Fast & Furious 6” is rated PG-13 for the wild action/violence and some language and is appropriate for kids 12 and up. This is a real crowd-pleaser – a smart and creative adrenaline rush that leaves you wanting even more.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Fast & Furious 6” gets a B+.
I may see some better movies over the next few months, but it’s hard to think I’ll have a better time at the movies all summer long.