My first car was a '69 Charger (no blower) that I used as a daily driver my last years of high school and throughout college. I had no money, so repairs were done by me with help and advice from friends. We didn't race, as that costs a lot of money, but the camaraderie was like what these movies are all about. They take me back a few decades. Plus of course seeing that Charger! Those car stunts are like the Dukes of Hazzard on steroids. Just fun.
1
I hadn't seen any of the Fast/Furious movies - they are not my cup of tea. But when my 12-year-old son begged me to take him to Fast 7, I readily agreed - mainly because it wasn't an animated "kids" movie, but a sign my boy was growing up. Oh, what fun this was. Total mindless fun. Cars drive off cliffs and the drivers step out unscatched. Cars crash head on and the drivers laugh it off. A woman jumps from her car through the open window of another car going 100mph in the opposite direction, only to land in the passenger seat and make a quip. I love "films" but I had almost forgotten how much fun silly "movies' can be.
7
As a person with two post graduate degrees -- and a muscle car -- I loved this movie. It has a blue collar James Bond feel and Mr. Scott's review is spot on. All filmmakers who want to make big, popcorn entertainment could learn a few lessons from F7 about how to balance the visual and the visceral from this enjoyable ride.
2
Turning a series of junk car-chase movies into a respectable franchise has to be one of Hollywood's more amazing feats of magic. That the series now has the embrace of A.O. Scott, as cerebral and art-house-movie-loving reviewer as exists today, may be even more surprising. Here he spins the premature death of Paul Walker from a real-life car crash into an almost cosmic symbols of life's ephemeral nature. I guess. Had Walker lived to a ripe old age, he would have never been seen as anything other than a successful, wealthy B-grade actor. Macho movie bromances between tough male action heroes is as old as post WWII Hollywood. In this series, the bromance concept has been broadened to include women and minority characters, but this is as much about ticket purchasing demographics as it it is about good politics. The TV show Lost, which also had Michelle Rodriguez in it, did the same thing for minorities and women. Hollywood has led the way in portraying strong minority and women characters for decades now.
Well, you have that partially right: "Women" as long as they're "under 40."
1
This may not be to everyone's liking but in looking back on the first Fast in 2001, who could have thought such a franchise would result? It wasn't planned, it just happened which is the way it should be in film. But so rarely is.
These films work becuase they reflect the world we live in and it isn't a big deal, it just is.
Dom, Brian, Letty and everyone are family and are family to all of us who grew up with these films.
Wan does a commendable job under terrible circumstances and the voiceover by Diesel breaks everyone's heart. Haven't seen so many fellows cry or have sniffles since the original Brian's Song with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.
and for Paul Walker, we will see him again
These films work becuase they reflect the world we live in and it isn't a big deal, it just is.
Dom, Brian, Letty and everyone are family and are family to all of us who grew up with these films.
Wan does a commendable job under terrible circumstances and the voiceover by Diesel breaks everyone's heart. Haven't seen so many fellows cry or have sniffles since the original Brian's Song with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.
and for Paul Walker, we will see him again
2
Turning a series of junk car-chase movies into an enduring, somewhat respectable franchise has to be one of Hollywood's more amazing feats of magic. That the series now has the embrace of A.O. Scott, as cerebral and art-house-movie-loving a movie reviewer as exists today, is even more surprising. Here he spins the premature death of Paul Walker from a real-life car crash into an almost cosmic symbols of life's ephemeral nature. I guess. Had Walker lived to a ripe old age, he would have never been seen as anything other than a successful, wealthy B-grade actor. Good guy. Second rate career.
Macho movie bromances between tough male action heroes is as old as post WWII Hollywood. In this Fast and Spurious series, the bromance concept has been broadened to include women and minority characters, but this is as much about ticket purchasing demographics as it it is about good politics. The TV show Lost, which also had Michelle Rodriguez in it, did the same thing for minorities and women. Hollywood has led the way in portraying strong minority and women characters for decades now.
P.S. why open up movie reviews to reader comments if the curation of the comments is going to be done so slowly that they don't see the light of day for days at a time. Comments delayed are comments denied.
6
I remember well going to the crew screening of "The Fast and The Furious" back in 2001. The rest of cast wasn't there, but Paul Walker was. Rob Cohen said a few words before the movie rolled, but Walker spent his time accommodating the crew's kids who wanted pictures taken with him. He didn't have to be there- most actors & "above the line" people skip our screenings. Always remembered that he showed up, that plus my husband leaning over to whisper, "Well, it turned out pretty good. Nice little drive-in movie, isn't it?" Then it took off: car enthusiasts everywhere had THEIR film to go see & talk about. RIP Paul Walker- a generous spirit, a real car guy, a nice guy.
12
On vacation on Kauai with my two youngest daughters many years ago, I took a Dad's night out to see the first "Fast and Furious" at the Kukui Grove Theaters. I may have been the only non-local in the audience. It was a very different kind of film, and I was hooked. It was my first glimpse of Vin Diesel, and I have been a fan of him and the franchise ever since. Very much looking forward to "7", though very sad Paul Walker is no longer with us. Maybe not a series for everyone, but if you like action, heart, camaraderie, it is a great series. And I don't even like cars! For me, it's all about the action and the interactions. And, well, Michelle and Jordana . . .
Loved this take on the film https://moviementalism.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/fast-and-furious-7-salva...
For this one, I will actually go to the movies.
And for this franchise, I have actually bought the movies.
It might not be Shakespear, but it is more familiar to me than whatever is playing at the movies nowadays.
And for this franchise, I have actually bought the movies.
It might not be Shakespear, but it is more familiar to me than whatever is playing at the movies nowadays.
4
A shout out to A.O. Scott for this perfectly reviewed movie. He told me exactly what I felt I needed to know and did it with grace and originality. Thanks!
7
I appreciated the generous review. It would have been easy to dismiss and trash this blow-em-up popcorn movie. The ethnic diversity of the movie goes hand in hand with its lowbrow popular appeal, and it's nice that Mr. Scott recognizes this (especially after the recent monochrome Oscars). Also nice was the understated eulogy of sorts to Mr. Walker.
17
Excellently written and great closing line. For all their nuttiness, these movies work.
8
Men, men, men, men........and again, men, men, men, men............
4
How insightful!
Go watch "Sex in the City 3" or "Faster, Pussycat! Kill, Kill!"
Go watch "Sex in the City 3" or "Faster, Pussycat! Kill, Kill!"
3
Gotta love us, right Amy?
4
These are totally unrealistic and goofy, but even though I seldom go to the movies, I have plunked down my money to see these on the big screen. They're fun!
9
I'm no expert in boxing but I'm sure when boxers land a blow to the head it usual results in some time on the canvas. Not here. Blows from characters with the physical attributes of human rocks land blow after blow with barely a flinch. Cars fly between buildings, 2 cars crash head on at speed and the characters emerge without a scratch. In the Furious universe nothing is impossible.
I know it may seem churlish to expect a degree of realism in what's ultimately a fantasy film. But as consumers of this entertainment shouldn't our standards be just a little bit higher? For all its bravado this film is just an example of the utter laziness of everyone involved.