By Gilberto Campa
Since June of 2001, the series of movies that now goes by the name of “The Fast Saga” has become one of the most profitable franchises in Hollywood having grossed over six billion dollars worldwide. Like others, I’ve grown up with these movies during the last 20 years and they are always a fun ride (pun intended), despite having its detractors who scoff at the action and some of the dialogue. What I love about the Fast Saga is its evolution with each installment, what started as a very obvious homage to Point Break with illegal street racing has grown into so much more. Finally, after being the first major movie to be delayed because of the Pandemic in 2020, Fast 9 which is the tenth installment in the series is being released. With major promotion including a trailer release concert during Super Bowl LIV weekend in Miami (which I got to attend), along with the revelation that fan favorite character Han would be returning somehow, the hype for Fast 9 was well overdue.
What’s great about the Fast franchise is that they are not confused about it’s identity, it also doesn’t try to be something it isn’t. General audiences know exactly what they are in for when it comes to these movies, and this installment is no exception. Perhaps it was the fact that movies weren’t coming out for a year, or we just didn’t have any good action movies worth seeing, but Fast 9 shifts into a higher gear than before. There are set pieces, stunts, and overall just crazy sequences in this movie that make you remember why we all love going to the cinema in the first place. In terms of the plot, the family is back in full swing as an old ally gets attacked by a figure from Dom’s past, who changes everything for his family going forward. There are also a few surprises that will excite you if you have seen every film in the series which almost feels like a pay off.
As much of a fan of the series as I am, some story elements worked for me while others did not. In particular with the way Han comes back, it felt rushed but with the expectations that this series already has it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. Even with that I was smiling the entire time, and I was just happy to see this family that we have grown to love in the last twenty years kicking ass, saving the world and doing the ridiculous, and of course mixing in some good humor. A big component that helped the movie was Justin Lin coming back and helming it, as he has directed IMO the most popular installments in the franchise. Out of the other directors that have stepped into the series, Justin understands how these characters talk and interact with each other and isn’t afraid to take them to new heights.
Speaking of characters John Cena is the newest addition to the Fast Saga as he plays a forgotten member of the Toretto family who wants his revenge, unlike the addition of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Fast Five who gave the series a shot in the arm as Hobbs, Cena’s addition and chemistry with the rest of the family didn’t feel natural. Hopefully, in the next two installments, he gets to stretch his legs a little more and bring some more charisma. Regardless of all that, everyone else in the movie is on their game when it comes to what they have done before. A lot of characters who do not usually get as much exposure compared to other’s get their time to shine which was awesome to see. This was really just a fun ride from start to finish with everything that makes this franchise so beloved, along with some new revelations and a VERY exciting post credit scene, who knows what’s going to happen next!
The Verdict