FAST FIVE – Back Again

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.

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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