REVIEW: Just When the Fast Saga Can’t Get Crazier, F9: The Fast Saga Takes It Out of This World!

Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his fast family are back for the ninth installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise, F9: The Fast Saga. Just when you think the franchise can’t get any more ridiculous, it finds a way outdo itself. Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are living a quiet life with Dom’s son when they receive an S.O.S. from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell). The duo finds themselves reuniting with their family to stop Dom’s brother, Jacob (John Cena) from acquiring an item that could shatter the entire world.

Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Lucas Black, Bow Wow, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, and Charlize Theron all return for the new movie, and the writers certainly found creative ways to bring all these characters back into one giant, insane movie. Did all of the ways make sense? No. Were all these characters needed? No. Was it fun to see all these characters on screen together again? Yes.
Cena was an interesting addition to the mix; although, it was hard to believe he and Diesel could be related. Even more of a stretch was believing their characters hated each other. That part of the story is never filled in. The explanation for the return of Kang’s Han was disappointing, as well. At least Brewster’s Mia, absent from the last film, was given a solid explanation as to why she was missing. The reasoning for Han coming back was just a bit too much to be believed.

Now 9 movies into this franchise, audiences know what they are getting into when it comes to these movies; it’s not the best acting and the storylines can be stale. Dom chasing after his brother felt like the same old story we have seen unfold in other Fast movies, except Cena is now added to the mix. Like its predecessors though, the action is where this movie really shines.

The stunts done in this movie are just as crazy, if not crazier than anything we’ve seen before. The team behind these movies continue to find a way to shock and even awe with what they do with these cars and what they put these characters through. From Dom chasing after Jacob as he ziplines throughout Edinburg to the final action sequence that sees all our favorite characters teaming up to take on the bad guy, the action never fails to deliver in these movies.

For those who plan to see this movie in theaters, make sure to see it in IMAX and/or Dolby Cinema to make the experience that much better. Also, plan to stay through the credits as there is a mid-credit scene that lays the groundwork for F10. Is this the best Fast and the Furious movie, no. But does it do an okay job to try and get the series back on track, yes it does.

Grade: C+