CONNOR BURTON
Special to The Leader
“The Fast and the Furious” series has been able to do something no other Hollywood franchise has been able to do: evolve and get better after seven films. It’s hard to believe the series seems on track to go straight to DVD after “Tokyo Drift.” “Furious 7” ups the ante on action just when you thought it couldn’t get more over-the-top, but it’s a fun and exciting ride that ends with a proper and respectful tribute to the late Paul Walker.
Picking up a few years after “Fast and Furious 6” when the gang took down Owen Shaw, his brother Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham, is hunting down Toretto and his crew to avenge his brother. The plot is a little confusing as the government gets involved and tasks Toretto’s crew to rescue a hacker with a device that will allow them to track Shaw and become the hunter instead of the hunted.
“Furious 7” has a great ensemble cast with old faces and new. Joining the cast is Dijmon Hounsou, Tony Jaa and Kurt Russell. Hounsou isn’t given much more than the typical villain role, as he’s after the tracking software. Tony Jaa is one of his henchmen and is given a few exciting fight scenes with Paul Walker. Russell is a welcome addition as a government handler named Mr. Nobody, who recruits Toretto to rescue the hacker and use her software to take down Shaw. Russell is cool and funny and, when the time comes, is handy with a pistol.
After the last few “Fast and Furious” movies, physics and realism have gone out the window. Vin Diesel has become sort of a superhero in the franchise, performing inhuman and incredible tasks to save the ones he loves. “Furious 7” is over the top, but it’s creative and fun due to the way the action sequences unfold. There are numerous set pieces, and each one is more action-packed, ridiculous and fun than the next.
“The Fast and the Furious” franchise has always focused on family and loyalty. This is especially felt in light of Paul Walker’s death during the production. They were able to finish his scenes with CGI and his brother’s acting in place and, although it can be noticed at times, they were able to pull off a difficult task and finish the movie properly, doing Walker’s work on the franchise justice.
The film ends with a touching tribute to Paul Walker that respectfully honors his memory and his work. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker had great chemistry throughout the series, and the loss of a friend and brother is clear in Diesel’s performance. As the two go for one last ride, it’s hard not to shed a tear.
“Furious 7” ranks up there with the best of the franchise. It delivers and builds on the excitement and action that has come to be expected of the franchise and faced an impossible task with Walker’s tragic death. The results are action-packed and funny, with an emotional ending that resonates and pays respect to Walker, giving his character a proper farewell.
Whether the series will continue or not is up in the air, but after making $143.6 million in its opening weekend and becoming one of the most successful openers ever, chances are likely we’ll see an eighth film in a few years.