Fast X: A Sluggish Ride for the Fast & Furious Franchise
(Note: This article contains spoiler alerts for Fast X)
Fast X Review: The Fast & Furious franchise has been known for its high-octane action and adrenaline-pumping car sequences. However, with each subsequent sequel, the films seem to be losing their grip on the core elements that made them so popular. Fast X, the first part of the final installment, boasts a star-studded cast but fails to deliver the excitement of its predecessors. In fact, it feels more like a slow ride than a fast one.
Fast X opens with a continuation of the events from Fast Five, where the drug lord Hernan Reyes is revealed to have a son, Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa). Dante witnesses Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) stealing all of his family’s money, leading to the loss of their fortune and the death of his father. Seeking revenge, Dante initially attacks Cipher (Charlize Theron) and takes control of her entire army by kidnapping their families. Cipher manages to reach Dom and informs him of what has transpired.
The next scene takes place in Rome, where Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Ludacris), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Han Lue (Sung Kang) are deceived by Dante during a mission. Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) discover the betrayal but are unable to save Rome from the chaos caused by Dante. This results in Dom and his family being labeled as criminals. Tess (Brie Larson), the daughter of Mr. Nobody, and Aimes (Alan Ritchson) are now leading the agency and are determined to apprehend Dom’s family. Dom and Dante arrange to meet at a racing point, accompanied by Isabel (Daniela Melchior). During the race, Dante plants a bomb in Isabel’s car, prompting Dom to intervene and save her.
Meanwhile, the agency attempts to capture Mia (Jordana Brewster) and Dom’s son. Jakob Toretton (John Cena) unexpectedly appears and rescues them, taking Dom’s son to keep him safe. Letty and Cipher are captured by the agency and imprisoned in a secret facility in Antarctica. They work together to plan their escape.
In the climax of the film, Tess is shot and taken to the hospital by Isabel. Jakob sacrifices his own life to save Dom. Aimes is revealed to be working with Dante and launches a missile at a plane carrying Roman, Tej, Han, and Ramsey. It is implied that they may have managed to escape. Finally, Dante activates the bomb, intending to blow up the dam. Letty and Cipher manage to escape from the secret prison in Antarctica. As they make their way to safety, a nuclear submarine emerges from the depths, catching them off guard. To their surprise, Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot), whom they thought was dead, appears on the submarine. It is hinted that she may have been working in conjunction with Cipher.
In a post-credit scene, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) makes a return and receives a call from Dante. Along with the call, there is a screening of Dante’s father, Hernan Reyes. Dante confronts Hobbs, expressing his intent to seek vengeance for his father’s death, blaming Hobbs for the act.
One of the main highlights of Fast X is the inclusion of multiple surprises and the introduction of a deadly villain. Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Dante Reyes is undoubtedly one of the film’s highlights and he is the deadly villain. He commands the screen with his villainous personality, bringing a sense of intensity to the character. Momoa’s performance adds a much-needed spark to an otherwise lackluster film.
The franchise’s lead character, Dom and his family continue to defy the laws of gravity and logic. While the Fast & Furious films have always pushed the boundaries of realism, it seems that Fast X takes it to an extreme. The characters’ actions and decisions often lack coherence and fail to connect with the gravity-defying stunts involving cars that audiences have come to expect.
Our rating for Faxt X: [65/100]
Fast X (also known as Fast & Furious X)
- Director: Louis Leterrier
- Screenplay: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin
- Story by: Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean
- Cast:
- Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto
- Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz
- Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw
- Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce
- Ludacris as Tej Parker
- Jason Momoa as Dante Reyes
- John Cena as Jakob Toretto
- Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto
- Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey
- Sung Kang as Han Lue
- Brie Larson as Tess
- Alan Ritchson as Aimes
- Daniela Melchior as Isabel
- Scott Eastwood
- Helen Mirren
- Charlize Theron
- Rita Moreno
- Music by: Brian Tyler
- Production budget: $340 million (estimated)
- Release Date: May 19, 2023
