Home Movie Reviews ‘Fast & Furious 9’ – Review
‘Fast & Furious 9’ – Review

‘Fast & Furious 9’ – Review

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Buckle up familia because Vin Diesel is back as Dominic Toretto, along with the rest of the Fast Family for Fast & Furious 9 and this film takes it to a whole new level of action-packed crazy!

Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto is leading a quiet life off the grid with Letty and his son, little Brian, but they know that danger always lurks just over their peaceful horizon. This time, that threat will force Dom to confront the sins of his past if he’s going to save those he loves most. His crew joins together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob (John Cena, the upcoming The Suicide Squad).

Long time Fast & Furious director Justin Lin returns to helm this extravaganza blockbuster action event and he definitely takes it to a whole new level. Cranking up the NOS and smashing into sixth gear, Lin literally takes this franchise into the stratosphere and it’s so unbelievably crazy that it just works. With each successive film is the Fast Saga we’ve seen this franchise get bigger and bolder with its storytelling, and Fast & Furious 9 is peak crazy. From full-on jungle chase scenes to John Cena’s Jakob Toretto literally zip-lining through the streets of Glasgow, to an appearance from Cardi B, Fast & Furious 9 has it all!

Lin throws equal parts explosively insane action, alongside some gripping back story, up on the big screen and he takes you back to the beginning of the Torretto story when we first meet a young Dominic and witness the shocking accident that took his father from him, and shaped him into the man he is today. Mixing together a deep family drama, with some absolutely crazy action scenes, keeps you pumped as an audience member, but it’s really the focus on Dom’s past that keeps things interesting, and long time Fast & Furious fans will appreciate these narrative developments.

Once again Vin Disel is front and centre as Dominic Toretto and this time it’s personal. As the alpha father of this eclectic family, Dom has some seriously hard choices to make this time, and his present actions are shaped by the fact that no man can outrun his past….no matter how hard he drives. Expect plenty of Diesel’s classic machismo and a whole heap of white tank tops, as he struts out to save the day. Having now played the role of Dom for twenty years, Diesel knows this character down to the bone, but we still get to see some new insights into this man which keeps things interesting.

Facing down Diesel’s Dom is WWE superstar and rising Hollywood A-lister John Cena as his estranged brother Jakob Toretto, a brutal espionage agent and assassin who has lived his life in Dom’s shadow. And Cena plays it up as this nasty bad guy. Known for his gung-ho action roles and goofball persona, Jakob Toretto is a real change-up for Cena and he’s one bad dude. Cena’s physicality is a massive part of the role, and we get to see him show his ground and pound skills, alongside some slick new moves behind the wheel. Cena is definitely a surprise in the role, and in my opinion, is one of the best parts of the film. And Jakob Torretto’s complex character leads me to want to see more of him in future instalments.

Everyone is present and accounted for here in Fast & Furious 9. And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE. Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster Nathalie Emmanuel, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell and Charlize Theron all make appearances in the film. Plus we’ve also got the return of Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift’s Lucas Black, Bow Wow and Jason Tobin as Sean Boswell, Twinkie and Earl Hu as well. Plus being that this is Fast & Furious 9, there are several characters who return in the most unexpected, logic crushing way, and it’s very fun to watch the other characters react to their re-appearances.

If you’re looking for action, well you’ll get it here, and Fast & Furious 9 literally goes to the stratosphere and back with some absolutely INSANE set pieces that are sure to have you amped! Seriously the level of action in this film is CRAZY, and you won’t be able to anticipate what’s coming next. Part of the fun of it is that Lin lets his characters have this sort of self-referential humour to all the craziness that is going around them, and there’s plenty of unexpected comedy that comes out of this one. If I had to talk up my favourite moment of the film it’s most certainly the rocket-powered Pontiac Fiero, a crazy contraption that shouldn’t exist, but somehow does, and leads to the film’s most memorably crazy scene.

Fast & Furious 9 is crazy level fun, and audiences who are seeking big action, big laughs and the quintessential story of the Torretto family will absolutely be rewarded with this one. So prepare to crank the NOS and brace yourself for a rush because this one delivers it!

Image: Universal Pictures