MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (5/24/13) FAST & FURIOUS 6
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Luke Evans, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Elsa Pataky, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Gina Carano ... And a very special guest at the end
WRITER(S): Chris Morgan (screenplay): Gary Scott Thompson (characters)
DIRECTOR: Justin Lin
WEB SITE: www.thefastandthefurious.com/
60 SECOND PLOT SYNOPSIS: Following their heist in Rio as seen in Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6 finds Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and his wife/newly minted mother (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Giselse (Gal Gadot) and Han (Sung Kang) all enjoying the spoils of the high life ... Abroad. For none of the crew can return home because if they do, Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) will be ready with his right hand woman Riley (Gina Carano) and waiting to send them all to prison for their crimes.
But, as fate has it, Hobbs needs their help to bring down a new threat: A gang of mercenary drivers he's tracked across 12 countries led by Owen Shaw(Luke Evans) – who's second in command just happens to be the former, long dead (or so he thought) love of Dominic's life, Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez).
So, will bitter rivals join forces to take down a man whose action's might just threaten the free world as we know? If you don't know the answer, you better buckle your seat belt – a wild ride awaits you.
But, as fate has it, Hobbs needs their help to bring down a new threat: A gang of mercenary drivers he's tracked across 12 countries led by Owen Shaw(Luke Evans) – who's second in command just happens to be the former, long dead (or so he thought) love of Dominic's life, Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez).
So, will bitter rivals join forces to take down a man whose action's might just threaten the free world as we know? If you don't know the answer, you better buckle your seat belt – a wild ride awaits you.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST: Fans of the first five films (let's not talk about Tokyo Drift, shall we – although that film is very tied to this film), muscle car enthusiasts, people who like dudes (and ladies) with muscles and anyone who ever wanted to be an action star.
WHO WON'T LIKE THIS FILM: People who disliked the first five films, people who want to encourage responsible driving and/or good gas mileage, those who like films that rely on intellect more than octane, fans of plausible scenarios.
WHO WON'T LIKE THIS FILM: People who disliked the first five films, people who want to encourage responsible driving and/or good gas mileage, those who like films that rely on intellect more than octane, fans of plausible scenarios.
BOTTOM LINE – IS IT GOOD, GREAT, BAD OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? Like speed? Like humor? Like action and explosions, but more in tune with a Marvel movie (save for Iron Man 3) than some of Michael Bay's old work? If the answer to these questions is yes, then Fast & Furious 6 is for you.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: No one – I repeat, no one – is coming to the Fast & Furious movies for the acting; the story just serves for many people as a conduit to cars, speed, fights and explosions. However, while that may be true, 6 does deliver a storyline that is somewhat easy to follow with a few decent twists and turns (and not just during the driving sequences) even if there are some flaws big enough to drive a Dodge Challenger through.
Fortunately, as director Justin Lin would have it, the film keeps rolling (sorry for all the driving wordplay) along well enough to deliver what those coming to see the film want: Action sequences involving fast cars and stunts not seen in an automotive context coupled with an intensity from the cast to make you buy in to the action unfolding before you. While the storyline involving the return of Letty (amnesia subplots just rarely feel believable, especially in this context) is a bit suspect, it's not enough to make 6 go off course and stall out. The Letty story is just a plot device you accept to keep things moving along – and as any good racer will tell you, once you find your groove, you push the pedal to the metal and don't look back. (Again, sorry for all the driving puns ... It's just too easy!)
Throw in a well-done tragic subplot involving two characters that works with a nicely done quick, post-credits scene (if you miss it, you have left the theater so quickly you should consider challenging Usain Bolt to a foot race) and 6 gives you just about everything you could want: Action, intrigue and plenty of adrenaline-laced moments to justify your ticket price.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: No one – I repeat, no one – is coming to the Fast & Furious movies for the acting; the story just serves for many people as a conduit to cars, speed, fights and explosions. However, while that may be true, 6 does deliver a storyline that is somewhat easy to follow with a few decent twists and turns (and not just during the driving sequences) even if there are some flaws big enough to drive a Dodge Challenger through.
Fortunately, as director Justin Lin would have it, the film keeps rolling (sorry for all the driving wordplay) along well enough to deliver what those coming to see the film want: Action sequences involving fast cars and stunts not seen in an automotive context coupled with an intensity from the cast to make you buy in to the action unfolding before you. While the storyline involving the return of Letty (amnesia subplots just rarely feel believable, especially in this context) is a bit suspect, it's not enough to make 6 go off course and stall out. The Letty story is just a plot device you accept to keep things moving along – and as any good racer will tell you, once you find your groove, you push the pedal to the metal and don't look back. (Again, sorry for all the driving puns ... It's just too easy!)
Throw in a well-done tragic subplot involving two characters that works with a nicely done quick, post-credits scene (if you miss it, you have left the theater so quickly you should consider challenging Usain Bolt to a foot race) and 6 gives you just about everything you could want: Action, intrigue and plenty of adrenaline-laced moments to justify your ticket price.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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