Review of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) by Davrosdaleks1 — 02 Aug 2019

I had a good time with this spin-off of the successful Fast and the Furious franchise.

Unlike the main series, this movie isn't so much about fast cars than it is a action/spy film. (There are a few car chase scenes in this, and they are pretty top notch). This is also the first film to feature sci-fi elements which is a far leap if you consider that the original F&F was fairly grounded. Still, considering how increasingly fantastic the movies have gotten over the years, I feel perfectly prepared for this happening.

The purpose of this movie was purely to entertain, and it succeeded. Whole thing looks great. Fights are well choreographed. Doesn't hurt that director David Leitch has a long history as a stunt coordinator. There are some fairly inventive action moments. The film maintains the franchise's history of great scenery. This is definitely the funniest film in the franchise.

Admittedly, the plot and the emotional beats are rather lightweight, even by Fast & the Furious standards. (There's usually a scene or two based on the characters' relationships that really hit home.) Think Roger Moore era James Bond. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing about the story that really drops the ball, and the film builds upon the lead characters by shedding light on the leads. It's just that the plot points feel perfunctory.

They do lean into the constant bickering between Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Shaw (Jason Statham) perhaps a little too much, but the two actors manage to make it work. It helps that the back-and-forth is broad and childish enough that you can't helped but be amused rather than feeling it all was too petty.

The entire cast in this is pretty darn good. Vanessa Kirby as Shaw's sister Hattie commands the screen as much as the leads. Idris Elba manages to make what could've been a pretty paper-thin villain with a couple of pretty cheesy lines work. Though it's basically a cameo, Helen Mirren makes her scenes as Shaw and Hattie's mother count.

Okay, this isn't the greatest action movie ever made. The plot is just kind of there. Yeet the film is still pretty darn fun and testosterone packed. In the series, I'd rank this below F&F 5-7 and above the rest.