How many series of films can boast the fact that they are still going strong after 5 movies… maybe only the Harry Potter series when you really think about it, but while films such as Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift may have been lowlights in the series (not awful just lowlights) Fast & Furious 5 sees this series again rise to the top of its class… this is truly one of the finest action movies to ever reach the big screen.
After a prison break-out Dom (Vin Diesel – Los Bandoleros, Fast & Furious), Mia (Jordana Brewster – TV’S Gigantic, Dark Blue) and Brian (Paul Walker – Takers, Fast & Fuirous) are again on the run from the law. This time they are in Rio where they learn that the line between the law and the crims isn’t as black and white as it should be. Despite the fact that the have a determined Marshall, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson – Faster, You Again) on their tail they decide to team up with some old friends and pull off a heist that will help support them for the rest of their lives.
Many believe that director, Justin Lin (TV’S Community, Fast & Furious) brought disgrace to this series with Tokyo Drift but he certainly redeems himself here. Fast & Furious 5 is porn for those who love no-stop action, and it seems somewhere along the way Lin has learnt how to deliver action in the bucket-loads. Whether it be a rooftop chase over the slums of Rio or a car chase that seems to have lifted the bar for all Hollywood car chases Lin knows how to keep his audience entertained and on the edge of their seat.
Lin also doesn’t fall into the trap of completely wiping out characterization from an action movie. Yes, Dwayne Johnson’s role seems pretty much a cardboard cut-out but Lin does make some attempt at furthering the characters of Dom, Mia and Paul. Although I must admit one of the highlights of the film is its action especially the car chase and the fight between Dom and Luke… hasn’t everyone at sometime wondered who would win a fight between Vin Diesel and The Rock?
As far as action films go Fast & Furious 5 is a stunner. If you see it on the big screen be prepared to be blown away by a film that puts every dollar of its budget to great use… and stick around for the little bit extra that you see during the credits, no fan of this series will want to miss it.
Year: 2011
Director: Justin Lin
Stars: Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
Classification: M
Runtime: 130 mins
Rating: 