Review of Fast Five (2011) by James S — 01 Mar 2016

Fast, Faster, Fastest, Franchise...

Following straight on from the final scene of Fast & Furious (film four for you newbie's), rehabilitated ex-cop Brian (Paul Walker) and sexy sister Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) engage a police transport bus in a spectacularly dangerous game of highway chicken in aid of breaking out the muscled hero Dom Torretto (Vin Diesel).

Fugitives from the US, the trio split-up and head for the highly fortified Rio based home of old friend, Vince (Matt Schulze). Low on funds and tired of running, Vince convinces Brian & Mia to join him on an easy cash job to highjack three high-end special cars from a train.

In an eleventh hour appearance, Dom joins them on the job. However, when the other players turn suddenly and things go pear shaped (in a dramatically familiar scene, XXX fans this ones for you) the trio hauls up under the radar, awaiting Vince's return and a reasonable explanation.

Arriving in the form of classified material on a computer chip, the team realize that they have taken possession of Rio's security-conscious criminal overlord Reyes' (Joaquim De Almedia) GPS containing not only the vital location of his ten cash laden safe houses, but also the details of the amount held in kilos worth over $100 million.

In a last ditch effort to make money, walk free and avenge their last job, the trio assemble a crack team of family and friends specialists (Ocean's 11 style) including the talker Roman (Tyrese Gibson, 2), the tech (Ludacris, 2), the chameleon Han (Sung Kang, 3-4), the clowns Leo and Santos (Tego Calderon Don Omar, 4) and the muscle Gisele (Gal Gadot, 4) to carry out a scheme in which to bring down the favela (slum) dictator.

However, facing off against Reyes isn't their only problem. When hard-nosed muscle mountain FBI bounty hunter Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is assigned to recapture the wanted trio with his highly trained stormtrooper assault team in tow, mission impossible becomes mission insanity.

In this fifth (but not final) installment we see all the usual players; fast cars, sexy women, muscled-up men, tarmac-shredding action, vehicular choreography, hell-raising stunts, but we also get a new sensational setting experienced with fluid aerial shot and a constant feel of motion with roof top chases and the re-capturing of something not seen since the franchises first offering, a sense of family and camaraderie.

Laid on slightly thick (like most of the acting), number five once again focuses on the subculture of family bonding, competitiveness and the boyish need for all things that go bang. Add this rediscovered sense of unity to the concept of Reyes' evil sheriff of Nottingham verses Torretto's singlet clad Robin Hood with an intriguing final twist (remember stay for the credits), director Justin Lin (3 & 4) is set; box-office taking wise, to continue on well past the already commissioned fast six.

What really makes this movie pop (and brings on a titter of giggling not matter how many times you see it) is the Clash of the Titians scene. When gladiators, the buff Vin Diesel squares off against the humongous ex- heavy weight champion wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson all female viewers can think is yay, the thought about us for once.

But don't worry boys, they thought about you too, a lot. Specifically, in a fun little scene where the gorgeous Gal Gadot approaches our villain in a barely there string bikini attempting to obtain his hand print; Where do you think that ended up?

The Verdict: A fun, flippant and furious, F5 has it all. Although predominantly aimed at the he-man males and petrol-headed punters, this movie is surprisingly satisfying for all.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 06/05/2011.