I always preface any Fast & Furious banter I make with “I LOVE THIS SERIES”.
I think I’ve been FULLY invested since Fast 5 released, because that sonnovab*tch retconned the whole franchise! It literally went “okay, a lot of stuff doesn’t make sense, so let’s make sense”.
AND NOW IT DOES.
While that doesn’t excuse the exceptionally extraordinary feats our heroes survive, it DOES excuse continuity. And for one of the world’s best superhero stories, continuity is everything.
Following on from Fate Of The Furious, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Statham are forced back together because the fate of the world is at stake. Again.
And this time, it’s about a whole other family.
Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.
David Leitch.
That’s the centerpiece name in this whole thing.
The man who produced and wasn’t credited with co-directing John Wick, has brought all of that action and stunt know-how to our favourite NOS-filled franchise.
Oh, he also worked on Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2, so yeah…the man knows the beat of the action-drum.
An action-packed parallel-intro injects the heroes back into our veins, as perilous adventure begins with the arrival of Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby). She then, by proxy and mighty-battle, introduces our big bad, Brixton (Idris Elba).
Strings begin to attach across the story as our trio traverse differing lands in espionage-like fashion, with cars showing up and doing some really cool sh*t because fast AND furious.
As is the norm with the series, the cars involved are the likes of the latest McLarens, classic Hot Rods and old beat ’em ups with more meat under the hood than a cheat meal burger made for The Rock, which are used in more inventive ways than The Rock’s new workout plan.
While behind-the-scenes drama may have led to the spin-off, you’re dumb if you didn’t notice the clear chemistry between Johnson and Statham. And this continues with scenes overfilled with hilarious banter, that would see you have a drinking contest with your mate before you punch him.
Being two of the world’s biggest action stars means punching is definitely on the plate, which is countered by the Iron Man-esque capabilities of Elba’s Brixton.
LOOK. If you think the Fast series isn’t gonna get more nuts, then you’re nuts. They’re just going full-stupid AND I LOVE IT. Just keep doing nonsense Fast & Furious because it’s great.
Anyway, Brixton is nonsense, but it’s a popcorn blockbuster so it doesn’t matter.
Hobbs & Shaw succeeds in the basics of Fast & Furious.
Firstly, it’s about family. They just don’t say it.
Secondly, it’s about punching, and there’s just…A LOT OF THAT.
Thirdly, it’s about cars, but this film kind of forgets that sometimes, but that’s okay!
Why?
Because this is the first solo outing from the franchise. If Fast & Furious is the Avengers, then Hobbs & Shaw is the solo superhero outing. And when the two leads are both punching machines, it would make sense they forget to drive.
Brilliant cameos, our boys Cliff Curtis and John Tui, and secret-endings appended, Hobbs & Shaw is the most fun I’ve had in cinema all year. Big dumb fun with charismatic leads was more egg white drink in the morning than I needed, but now I’m frothing off a protein high.
And I think you should all take a drink.
Summary
I hate these damned numbers, but Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw ain't any revelation.
What it is, is a solid blockbuster answering more questions that needed to be answered, while punching everything in sight, and occasionally driving cars through it.
There's also a lot of fire and explosions.
Most fun I've had in cinema 2019.
