Furious 7 Review

Furious 7

Director: James Wan

Writer: Chris Morgan (Based on Characters Created by Gary Scott Thompson)

137 Minutes - Rated PG - 13

There really shouldn’t be a franchise like The Fast and The Furious.  What should’ve been a series that slowly petered out on direct to video releases and quickly ignored by audiences is bigger than ever and continues to defy the odds.  Although cars remain a central part, the series has expanded into other high velocity genres like heist films and globe hopping spy dramas.  Seven movies in, the series is at a crossroads beyond its control.  Paul Walker’s death in November 2013 is a devastating blow to a crew as tight as the people behind these movies, but considering Walker died in a high speed car crash adds a sobering reality check.  How do you continue a franchise built on fast cars that often got spectacularly totaled?  Furious 7 is probably the best possible way they could’ve done it, still embracing its enthusiastic insanity while wearing its heart on its sleeve.

This time around Toretto’s crew is being targeted by Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), whose brother was the villain in Fast and Furious 6.  Statham’s cameo in Furious 6’s post credits scene, swearing revenge for his brother, was one of the most enticing post credits scenes in recent memory and the payoff doesn’t disappoint.  From the opening credits, it’s established that Deckard is a force of nature, allowing Statham to do what he does best.  No doubt he did all that damage and is right behind the protagonists at all times, he’s Jason Statham!

To try to track him down, a covert ops team lead by Belgian beer lover known as “Mr. Nobody” (Kurt Russell) enlists Toretto’s crew to find a hacker named Ramsey, who created a powerful surveillance program that can tap into anything with a camera and/or microphone.  It would take a lot more time to unspool the convoluted plot, including the involvement of a dangerous mercenary (Djimon Hounsou) who also targets the crew, but you really can’t overthink these movies.  It’s part of the fun: the unrelenting stream of insane situations.  There’s no scenario off limits if it will make for a more entertaining ride.

No discussion of these movies is complete without discussing the action sequences.  Justin Lin didn’t direct after helming the last four (James Wan of Insidious and Saw fame took over), but the series doesn’t miss a beat with the new blood.  The action scenes are still a ton of fun to watch, even ones you think you may have already seen in the trailers (there’s a lot more to them).  There isn’t much down time between car chases, gun fights or brawls and when they happen, they are constantly exhilarating.

Of course, going in I wanted to see how they would handle Paul Walker’s death.  Without getting into the specifics, I think they did a great job writing him out of the series.  It would be tough however it was done, but the people behind this franchise clearly have a deep affection for each other and the audience, and it comes through in the heartfelt conclusion.  Even from a technical standpoint, their work arounds never took me out of the action (Walker’s brothers helped as body doubles).  His death even adds poignancy to the film with his character’s storyline, as Brian finds himself torn between the high adrenaline lifestyle of these movies and his new life as a family man.

What helps the Fast and Furious franchise rise to the top is the series’ unabashed earnestness.  There is no cynicism here: no matter how ridiculous the action is, how often they bring up the point of family or how much gratuitous eye candy they indulge in, you can tell they believe in what they’re doing.  It’s what separates the movies that are good dumb fun and the ones that are actively insulting the audience.  That sincerity is critical to how they dealt with Paul Walker.  While it is sad to see him go, the way they treated his exit was proof that the franchise and the people involved will weather this storm and carry on, just like family.

Grade: A-

Extra thoughts

• The subplot with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) still recovering from her memory loss didn’t quite land, though I wonder if this may have been edited to accommodate Walker’s farewell.
• I should mention Dwayne Johnson, who isn’t in a lot of this film, but boy does he make the most of his time on screen.  From the fight with Statham (during which all of the glass in the room breaks) to the “Daddy’s gotta go to work” moment, Johnson continues to shine in these movies.
• Does Toretto just have a sledgehammer in his car at all times?
• When is Nicolas Cage going to be one of these?

SPOILERS

• So Brian’s exit, where his racing family decides to cut him out of their high stakes adventures so he can be with his wife and kids, was probably the best way to handle it.  Jordana Brewster’s Mia hasn’t been used much in the past two films anyway, so it makes for them to go be a happy family.  It is bittersweet, but well earned.
• Although I could’ve seen him doing a noble sacrifice that would’ve ensured the team succeeded in the climactic set piece.  But I can’t blame them for going for a happier outcome for the character.
• Another problem with the Michelle Rodriguez story: weren’t you expecting her to go back to her grave in the end and destroy it?
• The Rock versus a helicopter.  Awesome
• While they hang a lampshade on the hot hacker we see in TV and movies, was anyone expecting hacker Ramsey to be played by anyone except a knockout like Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones)?
• When Kurt Russell put on the sunglasses, I was so on board (granted, I was expecting him to betray them).  While I had many issues with Death Proof, he wasn’t one of them, and I’m sure he’d love to cash in on the trend of 50/60 something actors getting to be action leads.  Can’t wait to see what he’ll do in the next one.
• I’m guessing Owen Shaw is only alive so they could justify Deckard destroying a hospital to go visit him?
• My friend suggested this: someone with VFX prowess needs to take the wrench fight between Diesel and Statham and turn the metal into light sabers.  Get on it internet!