F9: The Fast Saga

The Fast and Furious franchise is one of the most successful, but universally scoffed-at franchises at the movies right now. Look, I get it. These sequels are the definition of Hollywood excess and they're big, dumb, and loud. 

But I have to be brutally honest: If you're still seeing these movies, even though you scoff at them and claim they're "bad"...then what exactly does that say about you? (It mean's you're probably part of Camp #3 per this review)

As for me? I know these movies are exactly what they are and I love them all the more for it. Just the same as I love Marvel for what they do. Are these films the pinnacle of cinema quality? Absolutely not. But their blatant disregard for physics with a high-focus on entertainment value is what makes them so bonkers. 

And in that regard, F9 did not disappoint.

Part of me wonders if certain blockbusters like this are going to sit in high regard for the rest of the year because, in a large way, it feels like "nature is healing" as we get another Fast and Furious film, among others, in a theater this year. Colorado is now at the point where no masks are required in theaters either so aside from seat distancing (which I love TBH), this largely felt like a pre-COVID experience to me. #ThankGod. So perhaps my emotions were high and I was ready to buckle up and laugh/enjoy some absurdity, but something with F9 just clicked. It's certainly not the most dynamic or epic of this franchise (Fast Five remains - and will likely continue to do so - untouchable), but I'll be damned if this wasn't a ton of fun. 

Send it!

As per the last couple Fast & Furious films, our heroes - now full blown secret agents - are tasked with stopping a bad guy from getting a bad thing and doing bad stuff to the world. Since this is an expanded universe, this sort of solitary plot repetition is getting stale and it's probably the single biggest area that I'd wish Fast and Furious would pay more attention to as a franchise. Sure, there's interconnectivity to a certain degree (a character's spoiled return being a prime example) but by and large these films are self contained plots with a lack of impact from one film to the next. Given that there are only 2 [supposed] films left here, I think they should really tie this whole thing together with a large, overarching plot...and leave out any plot points that have to do with a "bad thing that does bad stuff" to the world. There is a focus on Dom's young adult life that's worthwhile for fans of the franchise and despite his brother feeling like a "gotcha" fact that's been hidden for 8+ films, their backstory is interesting, if not a little ridiculous. Otherwise though, if you're coming to these films for the plot, you're clearly part of the group that doesn't know when to stop doing that to yourself! (Even if I do wish the next two iterations would focus on it!)

What we really come to these films for are what they continue to deliver in spades: action that's free of physics and the characters. 

Although the series continues to blow its load in the trailers - which was the downfall of Hobbs & Shaw IMO - there's still enough in F9 that I felt like I'd only caught snippets of or was still awesome to see on the big screen. For starters, the CGI is considerably better than the 2019 spin-off (I still have no idea why given how much money these films make) and more in line with what we tend to see from the mainline films. At times, it's still blatantly obvious, but I'd argue 9 times out of 10, it works here. The action itself is a hoot, consistently defying the more intricate laws of physics, and even some of the basic ones, but that's this film's schtick and it works. I could point out a handful of scenes, but I'll instead just mention there are magnet-based driving scenes that are outrageous, destructive, and some of the best in the series (and reminded me a lot of Fast Five's bank heist). There's a couple hand-to-hand combat scenes which feels like an area the franchise dabbles in but can't quite get right (aside from Fate of the Furious) and here they're "good", so really no complaints, though I'd argue one gets shockingly dark and borderline R-rated with what Dom does to some enemies. As the ninth entry of this series, F9 proves they still have quite a bit of creative juice for action setpieces and as long as there are more laws of physics to break, they'll probably do it. 

Similarly, there's just a great feel to these movies and their cast. Perhaps it's because they've been through a lot together between making all these films and the loss of Paul Walker, but they really do feel like family. Say what you want to say about the franchise, but that's an element you can't take away from them and, given the diversity of the cast, it's part of the reason why these films speak so loudly around the world. There's a lot of fun and touching moments to be had here whether it's Tej and Ramsey mocking Roman, Han's return, or Dom & Letty's relationship. On the villain front, F9 feels a little unfocused and John Cena, as much as I love him, is not "The Rock's" equivalent shot-in-the-arm to this franchise, even if he's a welcome addition. Here he's a bit one note and swapping him in while sidelining Charlize Theron's wonderful Cipher was a necessary move to setup future films, but it also means the bad guys aren't just all that interesting for a majority of the film. It's a bit of a bummer, but it also means our moments with "the family" are all that much better and I'll be damned if some of the quieter ones, including one at the very end that refers to a character alive in their world (but not in ours), didn't tear me up a tad.

Producers: "But theoretically you're saying it's possible?"
Physics Scientist: "I mean yes, but..."
Producers: "Great! Let's do it!"

I'd like to just reiterate that if you hate these films and scoff at their existence, no one is actually making you see them (the same goes for Marvel and Star Wars for those in the back!) and there are plenty of smaller films that could use your money. But (!) for those of us that are still on board and know what these films have come to offer - like myself - F9 gets it and delivers. I find ranking this series difficult because I haven't watched some in so long and others tend to age differently in my memory (Furious 7 has aged well, for example) but my guess is that this would sit in the top half, only held back by it's repetitive story and less interesting villain(s). 

CONS

• Lesser than previous iterations, but still some wonky CGI
• John Cena is a solid addition, but as a villain he's uninteresting, especially compared to Theron's Cipher
• The bad-guy-getting-a-bad-device-to-do-a-bad-thing plot is getting old in a franchise that needs to focus itself before the ending 2 films
• F&F franchise could learn a thing or two from Marvel: stop spoiling cool moments in trailers! You're already going to put butts in seats!
• These are tending to be too long at nearly 2.5 hours

PROS

• The cast and "family" still remains a highlight. This group of actors and actresses have unmatched chemistry and friendship that you can feel through the screen
• Backstory on Dom, while a bit ridiculous, is interesting and well done (even if the film spends too much time there)
• Insane action that is incredible and loud on the big screen in a significant nature-is-healing moment. The magnet-base driving is a series highlight
• Continues to have awesome locales and music selection
• Doesn't overdo the jokes, but they land with a high hit rate
• Entertaining, fun, and preposterous. Just how I like em'

Rath's Review Score | 8/10