Guaranteed the words SPOILER ALERT will not be necessary in this review. The 5th installment of Fast and Furious does exactly what it states on the tin, 2 hours of high – octane clichés. Vin Diesel and co. burn rubber and wreak mayhem through the streets and favelas of Rio De Janeiro and we, dear viewer, are trackside. Muscle motorheads of the world re-unite!
I must confess to not having seen any of the previous Fast & Furious movies, so bear with me if I don’t do justice to the simple but lucrative franchise formula of shit-hot cars driven by tough guys and foxy women on the run. I will say that, I was impressed, no make that, blown away by what i saw. Seasoned director Justin Lin dispenses with the transparent plot to overlay his colossal and thunderous set pieces with the necessary, albeit simplistic symbolism needed to match the high expectations of his insatiable fan base. He delivers audacious rapid fire action sequences to suitably explosive bass heavy samba rhythms. Magnificent sweeping aerial shots of Rio’s bays and mountains, are used to dramatic effect. None better than the impenetrable and dangerous world of drug controlled favelas shown desperately clinging to the mountain sides. When our crew take refuge here, a brilliantly orchestrated set piece is played out on the flimsy rooftops houses. Illustrating not only the precarious nature of life in this world, but a reminder on what all this is built on. A top these mountain slopes stands the all-seeing solemn statue of Christ the Redeemer. Very old testament stuff it may be, but expertly used in the film to again lend that much needed gravitas to some otherwise pretty lame characterizations. Dominic Toretto is of course the redeemer.
If ever there was a poster boy for ‘Juice Head Gorillas’, I cant believe I’m quoting Snooki of all people, then Vin Diesel is our man. His cross–to-bear Dominic Toretto is the Capo of Guidos the world over. Viewers of hit show Jersey Shore know, it’s all about the family and Toretto’s family reminds me of Danny Oceans’ eleven, just with more testosterone but equally skilled and surprisingly comic. This is down to some great casting choices notably Toretto’s adversary, the gargantuan Hobbs played by Dwayne Johnson adding a fittingly cartoonish yet determined performance to the ensemble.
Testosterone cinema at its very best.. guaranteed to woo audience where ever there is a stretch of asphalt.
Firing on all cylinders just in time for the holiday season.
Fast Five hits UK cinemas 21st April 2011.
Director: Justin Lin
Stars: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson
Runtime: 130 min
Country: USA
Film Rating: 
