2.5 out of 5 stars
No one could have predicted that this franchise would span two decades and it does not look like it will be stopping any time soon. What began as a concept that focuses on the street-wise racing adventures of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and crew has now turned into a series of insurgency and espionage missions that still manage to incorporate fast cars and explosions to cover how little is invested in the actual screenplay.
With the ninth film in this narrative and the tenth in the franchise, things look to have settled down with Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) living off the grid with their son, Brian. Until their solitude is interrupted by the faithful inner circle of Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris) & Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel). They have been given an urgent message from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell). He was kidnapped by an unknown group hoping to acquire technology that could unhinge the world’s balance of power in his possession.
They must find the wreckage of the plane in the jungles of Central America. The team seems to achieve this operation until they are interrupted by the local military and an agent who is very familiar to Dom, his estranged brother, Jakob (John Cena). Dom works with covert-ops against his brother, who is working with Cipher (Charlize Theron) to upload the diabolical tech. An act that is meant to force the world’s governments to come under their control. Except they will have to stop the works of Dom and his band of car racing operatives who seem to be impervious and undaunted by their evil plans.
For those who relish the thought of a new Fast & The Furious film, it might not be too surprising that this one is bigger and even more unbelievable. Not that logic or the laws of physics have even played a factor in this franchise. Still, long-time collaborator and director Justin Lin does all he can to add to the legendary aspects of these characters. All of it manages to be treated with a bit of ‘wink, wink, nudge, nudge’ by engaging with the considerations of Dom’s team's inexplicable immortality. Which begins to push this series closer to the superhero realm than the fast-paced action adventures of the past.
To the rest of the population who may question the existence of these films, F9 will do nothing to change your minds about their value. All they manage to do is to take every aspect to a grander and more bombastic level. Yet, one noticeable part of these films is that they steer clear of content that might make this inaccessible to their core audience, teens and long-time advocates. Despite comic-book-styled violence and a few moments of mature language, this film is designed for those who have come to enjoy the Marvel and DC Universes over the decades. As people enter the theatre to watch this film, merely turn off any sense of logic, scientific reality or believability and allow this crew to drive you into a dream world of escapism.
Reel Dialogue: Is there such a thing as an unforgivable sin?
“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27
The family has always been a critical component of the Fast & The Furious franchise. Yet, the ninth instalment manages to jeopardise this aspect of the series. There is a problem within the Toretto family, and it seems that it may be an irreparable sin between the brothers. Which begs the question of how far is too far when it comes to being able to forgive the ones you love.
Interestingly, this is at the heart of the message of the Bible, too. Not just the question of forgiveness within marriage, but more importantly, between God and mankind. Regardless of what we have done against God or others, the God of the Bible is willing to forgive. He is ready to offer his merciful grace to those who are eager to seek his forgiveness.
