By Gilberto Campa
The Fast Saga has had many spectacular highs (and some lows) featuring some of the most unique, jaw-dropping, intense, and unbelievable sequences ever put on film. Spanning over twenty years with twelve films in the series so far (with more to come) the money machine of Universal Pictures doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. After being one of the first movies to be delayed because of the Pandemic, when it was finally released, Fast 9 grossed over 600 million dollars and brought excitement back into the franchise.
For the tenth entry in the Fast Saga not everything was business as usual, longtime director Justin Lin (who has directed five of the movies in the series) dropped out from the film two weeks prior to production starting. For films like these that have countless stars, complicated set pieces, and globetrotting locations, it’s a lot for any director to handle. Ultimately, Louis Leterrier was hired and chosen to helm the tenth film, who has experience directing many different action films. What I enjoyed most about Fast X was the way they included many callbacks/story beats to the films of the past while also showcasing new sequences that kept your attention, but still felt toned down compared to the last few entries. If you are tired of the impossible car situations that only the fast movies can make look almost impossible, then too bad, all of that has turned up, even more, this time around.
The real difference maker for Fast X was the addition of Jason Momoa as Dante, even though Momoa is perceived as tough and hard-nosed, he is a very carefree, fun, and outgoing person outside of the movies. Not only does Dante have a proper motive for going after Toretto and his family, but he does it in a way that keeps you guessing as to what he is going to do. He almost seems unhinged and completely out of his mind and just wants Don to suffer the way he did, making him the best antagonist in the series just because of the fun Momoa is having with the part. Alan Ritchson was also a standout for me, and he was a perfect fit into the series as he brought his action chops to the game. In addition to that, there are some plot decisions that I didn’t see coming, and the final act of Fast X leaves you with more questions than answers (in the best way possible) which is what you want in a long-time running series like this one. I commend Leterrier for trying new things and changing the status quo going forward, and of course, it wouldn’t be a fast movie without a few surprises that audiences will enjoy. I don’t know if it’s the crazy action sequences, the sometimes cheesy but sincere emotional beats, the comedic moments, or something else but the Fast Saga is continuing and not looking in the rear-view mirror.