Studio: Universal (2 hrs. 10 mins.)
Plot: Agent Luke Hobbs enlists Dominic Toretto and his team to bring down former Special Ops soldier Owen Shaw, leader of a unit specializing in vehicular warfare.
Cast: Vin Diesel, Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Sung Kang, Luke Evens, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, and a Souped-up 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger.
Rating: PG-13
Bottom Line: ***
By Laurence Washington
Admittedly, I’m not a huge “Fast & Furious” fan. However, I did enjoy “Tokyo Drift” (’06), and 10 minutes into “Fast & Furious 6,” I was hooked. Mmmm…maybe I am a fan? That’s probably because “Furious 6” is punctuated with high-octane stunts and is more ambitious than the previous “Fast & Furious” films.
“Furious 6” opens with the Furious crew enjoying their exile in the British Isles for all the felonies they committed during the pervious five films. That’s until Federal agent Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), who was after them in the last movie, approaches Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew with full pardons. Hobbs needs their help to catch international terrorist Shaw (Luke Evans), a former British SAS elite forces soldier. Shaw (Luke Evans) and his Fast & Furious crew knocked over a Russian convoy for 1 of 2 computer chips that’s capable of short-circuiting an entire city. Shaw needs another chip to complete the set, and Hobbs needs world-class street racers to catch him.
Oh, did I forget that Hobbs has proof that Dom’s girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), who was presumed-dead after an explosion in the last film, is still alive? In fact, Letty has gone as far as to join Shaw’s crew. Never mind how she was resurrected, it’s a device to advance the plot. Letty’s second coming, of course, brings Dom’s crew together for another heart-pounding sixth demolition derby that topples buildings, crumbles bridges and blows up aircrafts all in the name of “family.”
Fans of the series will be satisfied with the ending that dovetails “Tokyo Drift.” Hey, maybe that’s why I like “Furious 6?” Oh, there’s a hint of seventh installment. “What a surprise!”
Taken on its own terms, “Furious 6” is probably the best film released this summer. Tire-screeching souped-cars, explosions and hilarious one-liners, “Furious 6” is what great summer movies are all about.
Source: www.blackflix.com
This was printed in the July 14, 2013 – July 27, 2013 Edition
