Movie Review: Furious 7

Vin, Paul, Michelle and the rest of the cast are back. SIDEWALKS’ JP has take on the latest installment.

FURIOUS 7
Universal Pictures

Rated: PG-13 FOR PROLONGED FRENETIC SEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE, ACTION AND MAYHEM, SUGGESTIVE CONTENT AND BRIEF STRONG LANGUAGE.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky, Lucas Black, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel, with Kurt Russell and Jason Statham
Directed by: James Wan

Studio Synopsis:
Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of Furious 7. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black. They are joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel and Kurt Russell. Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Michael Fottrell return to produce the film written by Chris Morgan.

J.P.’s Take:

Just one last ride proclaims Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), as “Furious 7” ends the “Fast & Furious” franchise with superlative riddled splendor. Not only is “Furious” the most outlandish sequel of the series, it’s a refreshing shift in moods for the entire anthology. It also serves as a touching tribute to the late Paul Walker, which is thoughtfully executed by director James Wan (“Saw”) and writer Chris Morgan (“Fast & Furious” 5 & 6). With any off shoot of the “F&F” universe, “F7” offers much of the same insanely impossible stunts, gaggles of hot women and as equally hot car porn to suit any gear head.

The seventh film is a summation of “Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Fast & Furious 4,” “Fast Five” and “Fast & Furious 6.” All of which were previously helmed by director Justin Lin and are woven together masterfully by Wan and Morgan. With its interchangeable story pieces, the filmmakers etch out a distinct personality, drawing on sentimentality this time around.

The family theme runs prominently through out this film, where by Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) now a husband and father reminisces about the days he spent burning up the pavement with his four-wheeling collaborates. Missing the blazing bullets, the high-speed chases and Houdini like heists, Brian adjusts to sporting a minivan and changing diapers. Yet his wife Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) senses his urge to revisit those all or nothing days. Brian needs not fight those urges much longer, for an old enemy threatens to tare his immediate families apart. Those of you, whom haven’t kept up with the series, may be at a disadvantage connecting the dots. Those in the know will find Jason Statham entering the picture as the deadly adversary Deckard Shaw. Shaw literally brings the fight to their front door.

Each of the “F & F” films continues to grow in intensity ~ even defying logic. With characters that appear immortal, an even more preposterous plot and stunts that seem to mock the laws of physics “Furious 7” is no exception. In which case I wouldn’t try to logicize this film to any degree, just sit back and enjoy the ride. What you’re witnessing is a relentless action tour de force that revels in the inconceivable. Wan lets off the clutch and shifts into gear allowing the characters to perform some truly death defying feats. Brian O’Conner cheats death after narrowly escaping a mega bus that teetered on the edge of a cliff. It’s a moment I won’t spoil, because the way in which this scene plays out proves nail biting.

Other fun scenes stem from a James Bond worthy stunt that involves a multi-million dollar car. Allow me to set the stage. Toretto and gang travel to Dubai to crash a party of a rich Arab prince, who said to have bought a highly advanced tracking device called God’s Eye. Both Brian and Dominic go after the device, while the rest of the crew runs interference during the party. The pair locates the tracker, which is hidden in a super car called the Lykan Hypersport (I advise you to look it up if you’re a car nut like myself). Soon their cover is blown and Toretto and O’Conner find themselves trapped in the prince’s vault, surrounded by his security staff. To make their escape they conjure up the unthinkable. While they are hundreds of stories up, they hop in the car, put the pedal to the metal, and jump it through plate glass windows to the adjacent building. James Wan makes it look as effortless as playing hopscotch. They do this more than once.

The showdown many fans and I have been waiting for is that of Rhonda Rousey (Kara) and Michelle Rodriguez. Lets just say watching those moments are worth the hype. Wan also produces some well-choreographed battles between the characters. Many of which are in your face and brutal, where miraculously they sustain no life threatening injuries.

“F7” is minus the characters Han (Sung Kang) and Gisele (Gal Gadot), who are seen in the last four films. However, references to their characters are found in flashbacks for relevancy to the pieces of the puzzle here. Joining the cast, however, are two new faces. The laid back Kurt Russell chimes in as “Mr. Nobody” (Frank Petty). The role serves its purpose, which he plays in a straightforward, matter-of-factly fashion. Nathalie Emmanuel plays the illusive hacker Ramsey, who is as sexy as she is brainy. Djimon Hounsou as Jakande appears to be just as diabolical an evildoer as Deckard Shaw. His bulldog, cutthroat tendencies suited him well. UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Rousey makes proficient used of her character Kara. She does exactly what her role was built for and that is kick butt. The remainder of the cast is solidified in their roles, which the audience is comfortably familiar with.

As I mentioned above, a touching tribute is appropriately staged for Paul Walker showing Brian and Dominic taking that one last ride. It will be a moment viewers will shed tears for, considering this is his last film. Overall “Furious 7” felt exhausting, exhilarating, poignant and all out crazy. It was worth the ride.