FAST AND FURIOUS 7 MOVIE REVIEW

What started as an ambitious street racing series, has now turned into a revenge saga. What comes to your mind when you say Fast and Furious (FF)? Speed, definitely speed, the gloss, exotic cars and hot chicks.  You will find all these in this seventh edition of Fast and Furious too.  A series which had illegal car racing as the core theme has transformed into a full-fledged action-drama series now. But never mind, the film has enough spectacular car chases to keep you amazed.
 

James Wan, the man behind horror films like Conjuring, Insidious 1&2 has directed this film. This is only his second film outside the horror genre. One good thing being a horror specialist is that you really know where to place a suspense block. The film has many such fascinating scenes that will keep the audience at the edge of their seats. But on looking at the shady side, FF7 is filled with too many clichéd moments and dialogues. By now the directors must know that people no more get excited by dialogues like ‘touchdown’ and ‘show time’.
 

Paul Walker, who was brilliant in all the previous FF series has been equally impressive in his last ever film too. Walker’s sudden tragic death on the 30th of November 2013 was a shocker. He was apparently halfway through the filming for FF7 when he died, but the makers have made their best to cut down on his role to an extent and somehow pulled off the remaining amazingly by using body doubles and CGI. It has turned out exceedingly well, as it does not look tacky on screen and on most occasions you can never figure out the fake Paul Walker as it was so very authentic. Nevertheless a fitting finale to Paul Walker, the tribute towards the end could bring tears to all his fans.
 

Dwayne Johnson was on a seven month long strict diet to get the perfect shape to fit into the Luke Hobbs character’s shoes well. His role wasn’t extensive but he had his own heroic moments, in fact the entire cast had a piece or two valiant moments that they would cherish for their life time. Now coming back to Dwayne, his one on one with Jason Statham, was one of the high points of the film and though he doesn’t have that many dialogues, the crowd goes into raptures when he says ‘I am the cavalry’.
 

Jason Statham was wonderful, easily the best villain of the entire series. He is like the perfect antagonist who looks cool right through and keeps people thinking of what he is up to. Apart from Statham, the baddies list also includes the likes of Tony Jaa and Djimon Hounsou which makes it more interesting as the battle is even more intense and enjoyable.
 

But there is one thing with all these giant multi starrer films. The big actors, they neither get hurt nor die and if at all they get hurt they do it to save the world or save someone else.
 

Vin Diesel looks so fit; another cake walk role for him to pull it off. Though one feels that the final fight between him and Statham could have been done better, given the hype before it. Vin’s end credits speech on Paul is definitely very special. He is already in talks to do another part of FF. Let’s see how things pan out.