Somebody asked me a hard question after I walked out of the cinema, my brain steeling trying to process the CGI-filled, max-budget pop-corn flick that is F9.
โGood movie?โ they asked.
I suppose the answer to that question depends on your expectations. If youโve somehow missed the previous eight instalments, youโll sit there and wonder what on Earth (and in this film, space too, naturally) is going on and how the heck Dominic Toretto has so many secret siblings heโs forget to mention over the last ten years.
If however, like the majority of people who will watch this film, youโve seen even just one other film from this franchise, youโll know the recipe and the scoreโฆ it must be said, although the series has never been known for its philosophical conversation or poignant dialogue, this film feels very obvious, to the point me and my friend were (near enough always) correctly guessing the next lines before they were spoken.
The music doesnโt feel quite as impactful as it has been used in previous films, nor do the vehicles, which take a step back to give room to what can only really be described as โMarvel-esqueโ magnetic powers (Disney-owned franchise-crossover pending?).
I donโt mind these films, this one isnโt *too* long and it does have some great cinematic moments; some hilarious ones too (although some things youโll laugh at are meant to be taken seriously), the characters themselves spend most of their talking-time cracking meta-jokes about how this doesnโt need to make senseโฆ does being self-aware make it less of a criminally over-the-top cash grab? I donโt know.
I think any die-hard fans of this series will find this to be a โmehโ experience, itโs not as strong as previous outings in almost all areas and if youโre looking for a โgood movieโ Iโd steer well clear, perhaps the most-prone to love this flick would be the unknown viewer, although finding a person whoโs yet to be grabbed by this turbo-franchise Iโd imagine would be hard to find.
Whether it be this review or another, a recommendation or warning, make no mistake: there will inevitably be more fast & furious, with even crazier plots and stunts to follow, grab the pop-corn, be grateful cinemas are open again, enjoy the insanity and then book to watch a better film on your re-visit.