Furious 7

 
Story - 5

Writing - 5

Characters - 4

Intent - 5

Acting - 4 

Overall – 4.6 / 5 

 

These aren’t the kids we grew up watching back in 2001, stealing electronics from gun toting vigilante truck drivers. They’re all grown up now, veterans of international vehicular warfare, and they act like it too so be ready, cause they WILL blow you away. Believe it or not, this film actually ends up making the last sequel, number 6, look like the action was standing still the whole time. It is just about the fastest, most action packed, non-stop action film I have seen in a while. Not to mention it is full of jokes. That’s a good thing because you don’t get a lot of breaks between the action but they do give you a lot of jokes so you can relax and laugh a lot too. On a serious note, the one big part of the film I think every fan was eager to witness was the exit of Paul Walker’s character, Bryan O’Conner, from the franchise. As most of us know, Paul Walker died during filming. Caleb Walker, Paul’s brother, took over for the final scenes at the end of the film and with his performance they bowed out Bryan O’Conner and paid homage to Paul Walker’s work towards the character, and the franchise, which spans almost 15 years. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, and I’m not ashamed to say, but they did such a great job that I got a bit teary eyed. But hey, give me a break, I grew up watching this guy and this character.

Story 5 – Ultimately, as seen in previews, this is a revenge story on the part of the antagonist (bad guy), Jason Statham. It also turns into a revenge story on the part of Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew due to what Statham’s character did to Han as seen at the end of Fast and Furious 6. It’s just an all-around revenge story. One man’s revenge against an entire team’s revenge, winner takes all! It’s a very simple story that lets the action do most of the work, but it was designed that way so job well done. Sometimes it’s more difficult to leave a story be than adding to it, but they do a very good job at leaving the story be and letting the action go to work. Not to mention that for the first time the action simultaneously takes place all around the world. It makes for an ever more compelling story!

Writing 5 – Believe it or not the most important part of the writing is the humor. You see, when you have an action film with SO MUCH ACTION, just as this one has, it’s very easy for the action to become over baring. You need times of rest with in the film to let you collect yourself, register all that’s happened, and gear up for the next action sequence. Well, there isn’t a lot of down time in this film . . . almost none. Normally that’s a result of poor writing, but what Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson do is very important and smart. They insert a lot of jokes and one-liners that fans will love, which in turn gives you small breaks in the action to relax. And I can't say it enough really but the ending, with Brian O'Connor exiting the world of the Fast and Furious, was written beautifully. The dialogue consists of humor, information, and farewell's (yes, plural). Nothing is "just said" and there isn't really any excess of drama. The action takes over and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole ride through!  

 
Characters 4 – Theses characters have been with us for a decade and half, if you don’t love them by now you won’t ever. Now, they’re much different from the characters we knew at the beginning. Dom just wants the simple life as opposed to riding and dying, Brian accepts himself as a good guy and a criminal, they’re all rich, and they’re all experienced in vehicular warfare. Same characters but have now come into their own. They’re older, wiser . . . except Tyrese Gibson’s character who’s still got a mouth as big as his forehead! Now Kurt Russell’s character is an important character in the film but he exit’s very awkwardly, like his character had more to do with the story but you don’t see it and it isn’t reveled. I’m hoping that he shows up in the next sequel or otherwise this character hurts the movie in some small aspect. At least in my opinion.

 
Intent 5- BIG TIME 5 . . . this is intended to do 2 things to you. One, blow your adrenaline through the roof! And two, you’re intended to forever remember Paul Walker and Brian O’Connor. Both intentions are met ten-fold! Let me put it to you this way, I haven’t seen this much action executed so perfectly since Avengers. I am not exaggerating! And as mentioned earlier, the exit of Brian O’Connor and how it was done, just very memorable. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

Acting 4 – When a cast of A-Listers are acting you expect nothing less than greatness, and for what this movie is that’s what you get. Intensity and humor, that’s what is expressed for the most part in the film and that is a combination which was excellently delivered. The whole film spewed intensity through the character’s drive to seek revenge and safety while delivering lines of comedy in a swift and tasteful way that doesn’t break the intensity but allows you to take a moment and laugh. Vin Diesel is very good at being warm and sensitive, then turning into a ruthless animal ready to kill, just as has become his calling card it seems. In all honesty, there isn’t a lot of diverse acting going on in the film, just a lot of intensity and a few dramatic “good-bye” moments, but the acting was solid and keeps you in the story.

 

Two quick shout out's to James Wan and Cody Walker. At first I wasn't too sure about James Wan, a young horror legend, taking on an action film. James had said he wanted to go in a new direction with his career, make sure he doesn't just do horror his entire career, but it was the action film he chose which made me uneasy. I mean, the next sequel in such an illustrious franchise is a big order to fill . . . but damned if he didn't do a great job. There's no ceiling for this guy, I swear, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. I knew that his creativity with camera angles would be awesome for this kind of film and I don't think you'll find one person disappointed!

 

The other shout out goes to Cody Walker, Paul Walker's twin brother. Not that his acting was superb or even very long, more like 2-3 minutes worth really, but it's the action itself which is special. A brother's death would tear behind Cody summed up the strength to finish his brother's work.

 

 

 

 

Good movie, good memories, and a good-bye to a good man and a good actor!