'Fast X’ an explosive start to finale

In 2001, the ‘Fast and the Furious’ franchise revved up its engines and started to entertain viewers with the exciting street races and eventually some intense action. As the series went on, the action and stunts went on to become extremely crazy at times and gravity-defying.

After ‘F9’ was released in 2021 (which I recently watched again and starting to like it even more), the studio announced that the next couple sequels will finally wrap up the main series. Now, the beginning of the ‘Fast’ finale is here and delivers more tense action and some very unexpected surprises.

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path.

Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter Dom’s family and destroy everything — and everyone — that Dom loves, forever.

‘Fast X’ delivers the usual extremely tense action sequences that the series is known for, but those action-packed moments will always be truly fun to watch. And this sequel also ties into one of the previous entries of the series really well.

The action featured in this latest ‘Fast’ mission is really awesome to watch and a few of the action-packed sequences really stand out. Some of the car action is still very over-the-top and defies the laws of gravity, but hey it’s still a blast to watch and enjoy. The scene that’s set in Rome is really adrenaline-pumping and is one of the most intense action moments in the whole series. Some of the Rome scenes can actually be spotted in the trailers and this is where the movie really gets going.

‘Fast X’ also does a great job tying into ‘Fast Five,’ which was when the series slowly started going into the heist territory. The revenge story that’s featured in this movie, which reveals that this movie’s villain is the son of the drug kingpin in ‘Five,’ can be really thrilling and will have you on the very edge of your seat the entire way. The action-packed sequel also delivers some truly unexpected surprises, including a couple returning characters that you didn’t think would ever come back to the series. Don’t worry, not spoiling them here!

Even though Vin Diesel is the star of the franchise, the MVP of this movie is Aquaman himself, Jason Mamoa. This is the first time (I believe) that Mamoa has played a villain and he does it perfectly. ‘Fast X’ shows that he can be both extremely dark and twisted and, at the same time, can have a warped sense of humor that can easily make you laugh a little bit. With how many times this villain has out-smarted the ‘Fast’ family in this one and how he’s got them back on the government radar, I can’t wait to see what’s in store with the next one!

If you have enjoyed the series since the 2001 movie, you’ll very likely enjoy this one! The action still delivers and the really explosive ending of the movie will really leave you wanting more and wondering what will happen next. Make sure to stick around for a mid-credit scene that leads right into the next movie which also reveals a nice little surprise.

The cast: Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto; Michelle Rodriguez as Letty; Jordana Brewster as Mia; Jason Statham as Shaw; Tyrese Gibson as Roman; Ludacris as Tej; Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey; John Cena as Jakob; Sung Kang as Han; Brie Larson as Tess; Alan Ritchson as Aimes; Daniela Melchior as Isabel and Jason Mamoa as Dante.

‘Fast X’ is written by Dan Mazeau (Wrath of the Titans) and Justin Lin (F9: The Fast Saga) and directed by Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me; The Transporter; The Incredible Hulk).

The series will be back in 2025 for its 11th and potentially final installment of the series. It’s rumored that the studio may extend the ‘Fast’ finale into three movies.

‘Fast X’ is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some suggestive material and has a running time of 141 minutes.

Let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook your thoughts on this movie and what your favorite movie of the series is!

https://youtu.be/eoOaKN4qCKw