After seeing Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga (2021) two days ago, I was pumped to watch the next instalment in the franchise which is Fast X (2023) released earlier this year. It's the first of a two-part finale and I think the second part will be released in 2025. At first, when I saw the film, it ended on a superb cliffhanger. I was caught up in the action and car stunts and wasn't expecting it to end. I checked online and read that it's a two-part finale. Ugh. The cliffhanger was well-crafted and suspenseful that I wanted it to continue.
Can I say Fast X is the best film so far in this franchise? If this film is truly ending, then it's a fantastic way to bow out—with a loud ovation.
I commend the ingenuity of the filmmakers because of how they connect the plots of the films. The storyline of Fast X is basically a consequence of Dom Toretto's team mission in Fast Five (2011) and I did not see that coming. A hole was created in a part of the scene in Fast Five and that hole was filled with the charming and hilarious presence of Jason Momoa.
And just like in F9 where a member of the original cast believed to be dead in an earlier film, shows up alive and well. The backstory explaining his death was fantastic. In this recent release, guess who was brought back from the dead? You'll have to see the film to know who.
Source: YouTube
Fast X is noticeably different from the previous film so I discovered it's directed by Louis Leterrier and not by Justin Lin of F9. But Justin Lin was involved in the writing of Fast X screenplay. I think this makes a remarkable difference between the two movies.
The plot of Fast X is straightforward—Dante Reye (played by Jason Momoa) goes after Dom Toretto's team for killing his father in Fast Five. What makes Fast X remarkably different and riveting is the exploration of emotional arcs that give the character development some depth. It solidified the storyline in my opinion. Viewers are used to the thrilling action sequences, car chases, stunts and fight scenes with very few emotional scenes. After a while, it becomes dull and unrealistic. So Fast X spiced things up so that it doesn't turn out to be just another action thriller.
The emotional scenes and flashbacks were focused on love, family and loyalty. Past mistakes were visited and remedied, and closure was given to some characters who didn't have them, except the main villain, Dante Reyes.
The cast was amazing! I like that the original cast returned with the addition of Jason Momoa who worked more humour and hilarious moments into the film. From the opening scene to the end, Fast X held viewers' attention in a tight grip without letting go until the end. There were no boring moments. As expected, the action scenes were fast-paced and heart-pounding. It was all about fast cars, racing and chasing, unbelievably daring stunts and gun fights.
The scenes of the metal ball bomb and how the Fast team worked together to stop it pumped my adrenaline. I was on the edge of my seat all through. The final scene before the cliffhanger was another action-packed part of the film.
The only part I didn't like much was that some of the cast are top actors and actresses in Hollywood but they were given very little screen time. Some appeared like twice or thrice and then disappeared. Why bring them on board if they were to make brief appearances? I see that as a waste of money.
Overall, Fast X is an impressive film worth watching, never mind that it runs for two and a half hours. I barely noticed the time. The filmmakers have shown that even after ten instalments, the franchise still has plenty of gas in the tank and their audience won't be bored. So put on your seatbelt and enjoy this thrilling ride.
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Other images are screenshots from the movie
Posted using CineTV