The Fast & Furious film series is one of the action franchises I followed consistently and enjoyed especially for its storylines, high-speed car chases and daring stunts. So when the spinoff was released, I didn't waste time streaming it. Though I initially wondered why the need for a spinoff, one look at the ensemble cast convinced me that I was in for an entertaining dose of action, fast cars, thrilling chases and cool drive stunts.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) is an American action comedy directed by David Leitch based on a script by Chris Morgan and Drew Pearce starring Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Eiza González, Helen Mirren, Cliff Curtis and other supporting actors.
This spinoff follows Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby), an MI6 agent who gets hold of a supervirus that could wipe out the world from existence and made by a terrorist group. But she is ambushed by Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), an ex-MI6 agent, who works for the terrorist group and wants the virus. Not willing to let it fall into the wrong hands, Hattie injects herself with the virus and goes on the run.
Her brother, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), also an ex-MI6 agent recently released from prison is paired with Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), an ex-DSS agent, to find the missing virus. In search of Hattie, Shaw and Hobbs are attacked by the terrorist group. They find Hattie and Hobbs takes her to the CIA office for protection and they are attacked again. That is when Deckard meets his old colleague, Brixton and realises they are not on the same side. Can he save his sister from dying from the virus? Can they extract the deadly virus from Hattie without endangering her and humanity?
My Review And Rating
Despite mixed reviews from viewers, I actually enjoyed this movie. The plot is a familiar one but the storytelling, pacing, acting and action sequences elevates it. The actors bring from the franchise their wild, exciting energy of impossible stunts, powerful enemies, advanced technology and vehicles being pushed far beyond anything most of us would consider sane and reasonable.
This movie turned out to be impressive for me because of the chemistry between Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson. Their constant insults and competitive behaviour give this movie its personality. Neither of them is willing to give the other the satisfaction of being right even when they are clearly trying to achieve the same goal of saving the world, and Hattie. Somehow their differences work in the movies’ favour. Hobbs is loud, direct and driven by loyalty and Dwayne Johnson embodies him in a fascinating way. On the other hand, Shaw is more controlling, calculating and comfortable working alone. Their approaches clash but that clash creates the comedy.
Another thing I enjoyed is the way the movie changes its atmosphere from a polished, global action thriller feel to gradually becoming more personal. By the end, there is a stronger sense of history and connection behind the explosions and fistfights. The action is exciting to watch but the movie gives the characters something more to fight for than simply stopping another villain.
Idris Elba as the villain brings an interesting presence to this film. He's confident, intimidating and enhanced by technology that makes him seem impossible to defeat. I wish this movie explored his character more but if there will be a sequel, maybe they might touch on this aspect. I love Vanessa Kirby as Hattie. She's capable, intelligent and not treated as a damsel in distress. And as the three of them move from one dangerous situation to another, their acting becomes seamless.
Like the franchise, the theme of family is emphasised in this film when Hobbs visits his family on an island seeking help. I also find it interesting that Hobbs and Shaw with all their macho acts constantly turn to the women to save them including Helen Mirren as Shaw's mother and Eiza González as Madame M.
The choreography is smooth and the visuals are impressive. As I expected, the filmmakers try to defy physics by making their cars survive situations they shouldn't and actors performing stunts that would put a normal person in the hospital. This movie is not realistic and once you accept this, the action scenes become more captivating.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 7.5 out of 10 stars. It's an interesting, fast paced movie that puts two popular characters together to show why audiences enjoy watching them. The action is huge and the partnership gives this film enough personality to stand apart from the main series. I hope there will be a sequel to it.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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Rating: 75/100
