FAST X
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Jason Momoa, John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Brie Larson, Alan Ritchson, Leo Abelo Perry, Charlize Theron, and Jason Statham
Director: Louis Leterrier
AMARÚ
If there are two more Fast sequels coming, please don’t include the hour-long rendition of Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” that Fast X starts with. Director Louis Leterrier doesn’t do this movie any favors by opening with 60 minutes of tribute meme dialogue set to a pop/rap soundtrack, then shooting the franchise’s fakest looking action sequences. Luckily, once they stopped waxing poetic about the previous nine movies, the focus moved to Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes, whose wacky, brilliant, devilish, assignment-understanding glee makes up for every head-shaking “why?” moment. So much so, in fact, that I’m actually looking forward to the next ride.
QUENTIN
At this point, what else is there to say about new Fast & Furious movies? Expensive cars go vroom, big bombs go boom…yada yada yada…boo physics, yay family. You likely already know if you’re crossing the finish line with this series is what I’m saying. Either way, Fast X is about the same, for better or worse, as The Fate of the Furious and F9. That said, Jason Momoa is the jolt of life the franchise needed. He seems to be the only one who realizes that a tenth(!) Fast movie should be dumb fun, so he goes absolute HAM being gleefully Momoa-y. He’s just…*chef’s kiss*
NICK
Although Fast X is superior to the series' prior two entries, it's still a far cry from the franchise’s heights. What was once a story about street racers has become one about family, heists, and truly terrible dialogue. Seriously, these films would be so much better if most characters would just shut up. The action is undeniable, but there is no longer any room to think of things logically. It's as if Fast & Furious has become its own parody with how ridiculous it has become. The standout positive, however, is Jason Momoa, in what may be the top performance of his career (seriously).
ADRIANO
Fast X is proof that this franchise is out of fuel. If it weren’t for Jason Momoa’s gleefully committed villain…the franchise’s most entertaining yet…I’d see nothing of value here; however, he is worth the price of admission. I understand that plot isn’t “important” when it comes to these movies, but this one is a complete mess, with nonsensical diversions and constant conveniences. The dedication to disregarding reality is just not entertaining anymore, and it feels less intentional and more like nobody cares. Lastly, the ending infuriated me, and I am not in any way excited for the next one.
JACOB
While Jason Momoa may be having the most fun of his entire career in Fast X, much of the excitement the franchise once boasted has unfortunately stalled. Between the frankly atrocious editing, mostly unfollowable action sequences, and the barrage of truly terrible dialogue, the Fast franchise has slowed itself to new lows, especially in scenes featuring Brie Larson's and Alan Ritchson’s one-note cardboard characters. I’m all for the dumb fun of Fast & Furious as a brand, but even this barely passes muster as a movie. Thank god the end of the road has begun, because this series is out of gas.
