2023 Summer Movie Season - Fast X: Review & Analysis

Road To The End!!!!! 10th Fast and Furious Installment Sets The Stage For Upcoming Finale!!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

The past comes back with a vengeance.

Story Description

A ghost from the past has emerged to settle a score. 12 years ago, Dante Reyes (Jason Mamoa) witnessed Dominic Torreto (Vin Diesel) and his family take everything from him. With his father killed and the millions he was set to inherit stolen, Dante stewed in his grief looking for the perfect opportunity to get even. Now, the time has come. Armed with ruthless mercenaries and a killer resolve, Dante aims to break Dom’s precious bonds piece by piece. To make matters more personal, Dante’s main target is Dom’s young son Brian (Leo Abelo Perry). With so much more to lose this time around, Dom must lean on his family now more than ever while facing the reality that he may not be able to save everyone this go around. 

Dom is back in his element.

Film Review

Serving as “one of” the penultimate chapters in the Fast and Furious franchise, Fast X ups the stakes in the latest installment of one of Universal’s most popular franchises. Tying in elements from Fast Five, introducing new characters, and continuing to up the ante from the previous installments, Fast X looks to thrill fans with another explosive ride while also setting the table for the inevitable finale to come. Upon seeing the film in all its unapologetically bombastic glory, Fast X is an entertaining installment that delivers on spectacle while also holding back. The film is definitely packed with the action that fans have come to expect. But the film puts a lot of effort into putting the pieces in place for the forthcoming finale. The veterans all deliver per usual in terms of performance. Vin Diesel, Ludacris, Natalie Emmanuel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sung Kang are so in sync and know their characters so well that it seems effortless as they play off one another. It truly is a treat to just spend time with these characters after having gotten to know them for 20+ years. Returning cast members Charlize Theron and John Cena and great value to the cast as well with the latter really getting to show his fun side this go around. To see Jakob's growth from the previous movie to this one makes him a great standout and his chemistry with Leo Abelo Perry is very fun to watch. As for the new characters, Daniela Melchior is a great addition to the fast family in a role that I look forward to seeing develop moving forward. Brie Larson and Alan Ritchon set up intrigue with their involvement as well. But it is Jason Mamoa who is the absolute showstopper in this one.  

Taking "rolling with it" to a whole new level.

Mamoa is deliriously unhinged, deranged, and a hell of a lot of fun to watch. I could tell he was having the absolute time of his life playing Dante Reyes. All while still being a formidable antagonist throughout the film. It will be interesting to see what mark he leaves on the remaining aspects of this story. That brings me to an element that I noticed with this film. Fast X definitely feels like it is building toward an epic showstopping finale. While it doesn't come at the expense of the action, the film does seem to be holding back as it sets the table for what is to come. What is uncertain about this move is that it is unknown if the 11th or the recently rumored 12th installment will be the one that wraps it all up. That said, the film is a fun ride that puts the pieces in place to really give fans something to look forward to in the coming years. Overall, Fast X is another entertaining addition to the Fast saga. It does feel like a real Part 1 of a finale and that works both for and against it. The road to the finish line has started but the path is still unclear where it all leads and how it all ends. 

Rating and Final Thoughts

Fast, loud, and over the top like its predecessors, Fast X is another fun installment in the 
the franchise that holds back just enough to set the stage for an explosive forthcoming finale just over the horizon. 

No matter how long or how far, Family Always Comes Back!!!!