Review: Fast & Furious 6

Fast & Furious 6

First things first, a franchise of films that’s managed to not only make it part 6, but for the films to have missed the straight to rental market is impressive. On top of that these films still have the two main lead actors attached to them (of course not including Tokyo Drift – but watch part 6 and that instalment makes more sense!).

No matter your opinion on the Fast Franchise, the ridiculous imaginative sequel names and the then basic given up on naming them and just add 5 and 6 to the title! What you do have is a crime, action, car fuelled decade old story. The Fast and the Furious came out all the way back in 2001- which centred around the plot of an undercover cop (Paul Walker) who infiltrates an underworld subculture of Los Angeles street racers looking to bust a hijacking ring, and soon begins to question his loyalties when his new street racing friends (led by Vin Diesel) become the prime suspects. The original movie was a surprise hit that year, it tapped into the Max Power culture and delivered what is basicly a remake of Point Break with cars.

That film was the launchpad for Vin Diesel, he did not return for the sequels that followed, 2 Fast 2 Furious & Tokyo Drift (apart from a small cameo). The gear shift in this franchise was when in 2009 Fast & Furious (4) was released, with all the stars from the first film returning and the film was a following on of the story from that first film. This fourth film, but in many ways the first real sequel was a huge success and brought with it a follow up in Fast Five, which brought into the fold Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

This brings us a decade or more on and we have Part 6 in the cinema – our heroes are living off the millions they acquired in film 5 during there Rio Heist. When Michelle Rodriguez' character believed dead is seen carrying out high speed Heist in Europe – a deal is made with the Rocks Federal Agent and gang are back together to track down Rodriguez and doing so they will be awarded pardons and a chance to return home to the USA.

Ludicrous plot, ridiculous premise – yes! But frankly who cares – the characters are so well oiled by now in this sixth adventure – the acting is superb, the chemistry between them all is awesome. Diesel is at his best in this film, Johnson is superb – proving why he’s become to be known as franchise saver (GI JOE?) - the entire cast get my hat off to them.

Luke Evans villain Shaw as an ex SAS gone crook – is slick, evil at its best. The action scenes in this film wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond movie – carried out to the absolute maximum – nothing this year will beat this film for real world set action set pieces. The scale is breath taking – scene after scene the film builds to what can only be described as the biggest action car action scene ever put to film.

This film is by far the best action movie in years – characters with depth, charm and wit portrayed by a great all round cast. The films style and direction is outstanding and frankly its a fun night out and a must have on a DVD shelf.

5 out of 5 – Rhys