Fast X

The crazily wild motorized antics of Fast X blast forward without a thought of pressing the brakes. Not many movie franchises last longer than twenty years.

This high-octane spectacle seeks, and occasionally succeeds, in obliterating any opposition with its seemingly endless supply of madly comic action and its disarming, absurd, and self-aware doses of usually hilarious camp. It's an occasionally jaw-dropping journey that travels the world in its never-ending hunt for new settings and techniques to up the cinematic ante; in the process, it manages to fall apart and triumph over its core absurdity.

Although the fundamentals haven't changed, the scope of everything is unmatched for what started out as a tiny hot rod racing drama 22 years ago. This fast movie features a number of returning cast members as well as some fresh faces. The most noteworthy of the latter is the powerful Jason Momoa, whose irrational attitude as the wicked Dante Reyes makes this by far the funniest installment in the series thus far. This entry gains a much-appreciated new dimension because of the plethora of loud laughter.

Most people in the fast-paced world appear to be prospering at first. The few early domestic moments have a family down-homeness to them that helps the audience feel more connected to the people. In this film, it seems that practically everyone who has been in a Fast film and is still alive does so, even if only briefly in certain situations. However, the early jollity is quickly replaced by a natural disaster, a genuine carnival of destruction that Dante launches and destroys everything in its path. It should be observed right away that the effects are mind-blowing; undoubtedly, no one has ever witnessed such immense earthly catastrophe imagined in such realistically portrayed pictures.

Ancient sites, contemporary marvels, and global capitals are all destroyed like they were just Cub Scout tents. To use a word that is overused, the attacks are truly magnificent. At least initially, nobody knows how to respond to such aggressiveness, so Dante can get away with it. The culprit believes that nirvana has finally been attained; he positively rejoices in his triumphs and grows more and more destructive, as well as entertaining to watch, as he destroys any old or modern landmarks that happen to catch his eye.

The effects are truly - to use an overused term - astonishing from a technical standpoint. The images alone could leave one in awe, but add a rich vein of impudent humor as the destiny of the world's wonders is so blatantly played with, and you have something.

Staff:

Directed by: Louis Leterrier^[a]

Screenplay by: Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin

Story by: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, and Zach Dean

Based on: Characters by Gary Scott Thompson

Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Samantha Vincent, and Justin Lin

Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, and Charlize Theron

Cinematography: Stephen F. Windon

Edited by: Dylan Highsmith and Kelly Matsumoto

Music by: Brian Tyler

Production companies: Original Film, One Race Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, Perfect Storm Entertainment, and China Film Co., Ltd.

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Release date: May 19, 2023

Running time: 141 minutes

[a]: After just one week of principal photography, the film's original director, Justin Lin, quit the project in April 2022 owing to artistic disagreements. In May, Leterrier assumed directing responsibilities. As a writer and producer, Lin continued to receive credit.