Heads up: Stay through the end credits because something big goes down
Upon launching a Fiero into space in “F9,” it seemed even AAA couldn’t restart the dead batteries on the 20-year-old “Fast & Furious” vehicular mayhem franchise. But lo and behold, along comes Jason Momoa to offer a jump start as the new antagonist in “Fast X.” What a jolt it is, as the dude formerly known as Aquaman takes charge like nobody’s business, summoning a big, wacky, scene-stealing performance that owes a lot to Joaquin Phoenix’s take on Joker.
And, boy, is he unhinged! As big as a house, he’s all wild-eyes, long hair piled into “space buns,” nails polished a blue hue, and dressed in breezy trousers and tops that flow in the wind like Jennifer Coolidge’s fabulous caftans from “White Lotus.” He is a blast, the antithesis to the glowering, gravelly voiced Vin “I am Groot” Diesel, the heart and soul of the “Fast”-verse. The pairing elicits a lot of beefcake and intense stare downs, sneers and snarls.
The action rewinds to 2011’s “Fast Five,” when Dom and his crew took down ruthless Brazilian drug lord Hernan Reyes, stealing a vault containing $100 million and dragging it through the streets of Rio De Janeiro. Reyes is killed in the ensuing kerfuffle. “Fast X” opens with that scene, shown from the perspective of Dante Reyes (Momoa), Hernan’s sadistic son. In retaliation, Dante plots a diabolical scheme bent on destroying what’s most important to Dom, his family, most of all his young son, Little B (Leo Abelo Perry).
The “Fast” films are critic proof, so the appeal is “how ridiculous can they get?” If you frame your expectations in that context, then you’ll be entertained. You can always make it a drinking game and catch a buzz before the first act is over. Take a sip every time Dom says some version of “family is everything.” Ditto for “I’ve got to save my son,” or when an old character shows up to dole out obvious advice or make a just-in-the-nick-of-time maneuver. Drink again when someone slays dozens of thugs toting AR-15s, or gulp another when a driver walks away from a mangled hot rod without a scratch.
Returning to the fray are Dom’s tight knit group of gearheads: Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Jason Statham, John Cena, Charlize Theron and Scott Eastwood. Franchise newcomers include Brie Larson, Daniela Melchoir and Alan Ritchson with Rita Moreno lending gravitas as the family’s “Abuelita.” (Fun fact: there’s four Oscar-winners in this cast.)
Louis Leterrier won’t win an Academy Award for “Fast X,” but in taking over the directing duties from franchise vet Justin Lin (he co-wrote the script), he’s clutch, grinding the saga back into gear. The ensemble is BIG. And with four subplots in various parts of the world (Los Angeles, London, Rome, Rio, Antarctica), it would be easy to muck it all up. Yet, Leterrier keeps it cohesive – and crazy. Really, no rules of logic and gravity apply. Just wait until you see a massive bomb rolling through the streets of Rome.
“Fast X” has all the trappings – and then some – that fans expect. It’s a 141-minute barrage of car carnage, beautiful women gyrating in short skirts, street races, insane tricks, explosions, double crosses, globe-trotting missions and Dom’s iconic black Dodge Charger R/T. Vroom-vroom.
Stay through the credits because big things go down.
‘Fast X’
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, coarse language and some suggestive material.
Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jason Momoa, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson and Rita Moreno
Director: Louis Leterrier
Writer: Justin Lin and Dan Mazeau
Running time: 141 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters everywhere on May 19
Grade: B
Boston Movie News 