Here’s a quick first reaction to the very first public screening of Furious 7 in the world!
Dominic Toretto utters the line “this time it ain’t just about being fast” in the new entry to the Fast and the Furious franchise. Never was a truer word said. Sure the fast cars and insane stunts are there but what Furious 7 does is draw from the six preceding films to combine successful elements with impressive new set-pieces. A great use of the developed cast combines with a deftly handled emotional component for a lost part of the family. Fast, yes… but there’s a more palpable depth to these road-worn characters now.
The plot centers around the past catching up to the Toretto crew. With his brother being injured on one of their past outings, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) sets out to seek revenge. After eliminating one of our heroes’ own, and with many others narrowly escaping his retribution, they are approached by a shadow Government agency with a proposal. Retrieve a hacker held by a foreign group to get hold of a technology they created called the “God’s Eye”, a surveillance system that would make Edward Snowdon weep bitterly. In return, they will allow Toretto to use the system to find Shaw and take him down with their support before he can strike again. And so, the family comes together for one more heist.
Furious 7 is a really personal film, dipping into the past, drawing from past storylines, and even “throw away” things have have become cherished aspects of the latter movies. Corona anybody? The series has truly embraced the jokes it has spawned and wears them not just as a badge of honor but with a remarkable swagger. It deepens your affection for the films while providing many laughs along the way. This is largely due to the cast, most of whom return here and slip effortlessly back into their roles. The banter between them flows so effortlessly it really is like sidling up alongside some old friends on an adventure. A special shout out to Dwayne Johnson who is comedic gold.
The standout addition to the cast is, of course, Statham, who is introduced in brutal fashion leaving no doubt the crew is up against a serious threat. The opening credits are devoted to illustrating his danger and if that isn’t sufficient, his rumble with Johnson’s Hobbs should be enough to convince any doubters.
James Wan took the helm on this installment and turns in an assured film. There’s plenty of flair on display with the spectacular set pieces and creative use of the camera keeping the action frenetic. Together with writer Chris Morgan they take the series to an exciting new level, yet continue to weave the film into it’s own history. Tokyo Drift fans will be pleased.
If you’re not a fan of the series, there is nothing here to change your mind. The crowd at SXSW went nuts during the screening, reflecting the bat-shit insanity of what went down on screen. While far fetched, the creativity and fun imbued into Furious 7 demands a round of applause.
Of course a review cannot pass without addressing the sad loss of Paul Walker. It was explicitly asked that attendees not reveal how his character’s arc is wrapped up but suffice it to say it is handled with a lot of grace and dignity in a very natural way. The film ends in a very moving manner and I have to commend all involved for showing so much class in their response to such a devastating loss.
Furious 7 is ridiculous in the best way. Check your concepts of reason and gravity at the door and just let the insanity wash over you. It is truly a blast of a film that combines fantastic action, humor, and a lot of heart. A new high for the family and a dignified sendoff for one of their own.