Don't get me wrong. This is not a profound film. It's every bit as silly as it promised to be, but... well... it was also (dare I say it?) fun. If Hot Wheels and "Ocean's Eleven" had a baby, and that baby were raised on the set of a bad soap opera filled with melodramatic bodybuilders and hot Brazillian models, it would be this movie. If "The Italian Job" took a bunch of steroids, and traded in those iconic Minis for muscle cars (and added some hot Brazillian models), it would be this movie. It is everything my thirteen-year-old little brother was crazy over and, with a PG-13 rating, it's clear that this wasn't lost on the filmmakers.
Vin Diesel is Dominic Toretto, who is on the lam after being broken out of prison in the first scene by his buddy Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and sister Mia (Jordana Brewster). They all hop on a train, which is carrying some amazing cars that are dying to be stolen. This leads to a pretty fabulous chase sequence that sets the stage for a jam packed two hours of adrenaline-fueled, physics-defying driving. Driving isn't a good enough word, either. How about automobile acrobatics? Much more appropriate.
After a little drama (this is a soap opera, after all), the trio head down to Rio de Janeiro, where they assemble a motley crew of cohorts to rip off a very corrupt business man... and all of a sudden, we have everything we love about "Ocean's Eleven" (besides George Clooney) mashed up with everything we love about fast cars. Sweet!
It does get a little confusing when they throw The Rock Dwayne Johnson into the mix because, in a tight tee-shirt and jeans, he looks much too much like Vin Diesel. The former wears a goatee, which was undoubtedly insisted upon by the dubious continuity girl when she realized she couldn't tell the two apart and it was making her job hard. But, as ridiculous as it all is, his Hobbs is a worthy opponent to Dominic. They are equally matched in both muscle and unappologetic machismo. Who knew such a pairing could bring so much chemistry?
Veterans Justin Lin and Chris Morgan respectively direct and write - as they did the last three F&F movies. While it runs a little long, they're onto something good here. The IMAX format serves the film well, and the driving is enough to make you wonder why it's not an Olympic sport. As ridiculous as it is, it doesn't at all take itself seriously - which somehow makes it all entirely excusable. Your thirteen-year-old little brother will love every minute of "Fast Five" for obvious reasons. Don't worry - no one will blame you for liking it, too. And if they do, you can just tell them you were in it for the Brazillian models.
| Movie title | Fast Five |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2011 |
| MPAA Rating | PG-13 |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | If Hot Wheels and "Ocean's Eleven" had a baby, and that baby were raised on the set of a bad soap opera filled with melodramatic bodybuilders with awesome cars and hot Brazillian models, it would be this movie. Okay, I admit it. I liked it. |
