Published: April 29, 2011
FAST FIVE - Back Again
By Miv Evans
The high octane action in this film escalates crazily from moment to moment and as long as you can suspend your disbelief when the characters develop super-powers (which happens a lot) and you don't mind a little sentimental dross, then this film is for you.
Former cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) helps Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) escape from custody and the two are holed up with Mia (Jordana Brewster) in Rio de Janeiro. Their last caper has attracted the attention of FBI agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson ), who is on their tail, and they realize the only way they'll ever find freedom is to buy it. They hatch a daring plan to rob a local drug dealer, assemble an elite team to execute it and the $100 million robbery is under way.
The filmmakers are understandably grateful to the legions of loyal fans who have made Fast and Furious into a franchise and they show their respect by placing a high impact action scene right at the beginning, even before the titles roll, as if to say "We know what you want, and we're going to give it to you". The audience I watched this with whooped and clapped in appreciation and it was a cinematic moment that everyone in the theatre enjoyed. All power to the Director for coming up with such a dazzling opener.
There is a great deal of stunning cinematography in this film. Even scenic shots are galvanized into action by aerial lenses that swoop over the parapet and throw us headlong into the arena where the head-spinning action is about to start yet again. But with so much going on, the convoluted plot only serves to confuse and the resulting dual antagonists cause the cat and mouse game to stop and start which prevents the tension from building towards the climax of the big heist.
With so much relentless action there's obviously a need for personal interaction to break it up but the characters are so superficial there's nothing to mine and all we get is a pregnant girlfriend and a long time friend dying. Instead of taking the sentimental route, which is a bore, a little light comedy would work much better, but there again, this film is guaranteed to rake in millions and when the producers get the big fat check in their hands for Fast Six, will they really care if they're the only ones who are laughing?
RELEASE DATES
Brazil - 15 April 2011
Australia - 20 April 2011
Australia - 20 April 2011
South Korea - 20 April 2011
UK - 21 April 2011
Belarus - 28 April 2011
Germany - 28 April 2011
Kazakhstan - 28 April 2011
Russia - 28 April 2011
Ukraine - 28 April 2011
Canada - 29 April 2011
Lithuania - 29 April 2011
Romania - 29 April 2011
Spain - 29 April 2011
Turkey - 29 April 2011
USA - 29 April 2011
Finland - 4 May 2011
France - 4 May 2011
Italy - 4 May 2011
Latvia - 4 May 2011
Sweden - 4 May 2011
Argentina - 5 May 2011
Czech Republic - 5 May 2011
Denmark - 5 May 2011
Greece - 5 May 2011
Hong Kong - 5 May 2011
Hungary - 5 May 2011
Malaysia - 5 May 2011
Mexico - 5 May 2011
Netherlands - 5 May 2011
Portugal - 5 May 2011
Singapore - 5 May 2011
Slovakia - 5 May 2011
Thailand - 5 May 2011
Estonia - 6 May 2011
Iceland - 6 May 2011
Norway - 6 May 2011
Poland - 6 May 2011
Venezuela - 6 May 2011
Japan - 15 October 2011
To read more reviews by Miv Evans please click her pic. Contact Miv at www.thetrailerfestival.com
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