Film Review: FAST X (2023): Louis Leterrier’s Big Budget Sequel is Technically Proficient, Fast Paced and Totally Entertaining

Fast X Review

Fast X (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Louis Leterrier, written by Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin and starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Statham, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, John Cena, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson, Luis Da Silva Jr., Daniela Melchior, Rita Moreno and Leo Abelo Perry.

Louis Leterrier’s reportedly $300 million-plus Fast and the Furious film, Fast X, is an adrenaline rush like no other. Vin Diesel is back as Dominic Toretto who is raising his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry) with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). Diesel and Rodriguez have some steamy chemistry early on in the film but this movie isn’t about romantic chemistry. It’s about fast driving cars and the movie is absolutely action-packed with enough wild intensity to inspire at least three rides at Universal’s theme parks.

This new film opens by taking us back to five movies ago where it displays scenes of Dominic and Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) riding through the streets with a safe dragging behind them. When a key villain character (Joaquim de Almeida) is killed off, that baddie’s son, Dante (Jason Momoa) vows to get his revenge against Dominic. Back to the present, Dante is ready to wreak havoc against Dominic and his “family.” In the interim, Cipher (Charlize Theron) shows up at Dominic’s house after having a vicious fight. Cipher is supposed to be a bad character but even she is worried about Dominic who isn’t too happy when Cipher shows up. She is there to warn Dominic and his family of Dante’s vicious plans.

Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) are back on board with Tej getting a remote control car with his own bobble head on it. Of course, this movie depends on the complete suspension of disbelief from the audience. If Dante killed everyone off, the movie would be five minutes long. So, Dante plays games with Dominic and his crew to test them. A bomb Dante sets rolls through the streets of Rome, and the sequences here are surely breath-taking and entertaining, if a bit silly as well. Dominic and his friends ultimately save the Vatican from total destruction.

The movie jumps to Rio de Janeiro where some street racing happens. Dante tries to race Dominic and a couple of other characters to see who will be left standing. As Dante, Momoa is actually pretty solid. He plays his role in an offbeat way with a whole lot of wild charisma that makes the character feel truly threatening. Dante is definitely off his rocker and Momoa’s creation is quite unique even if it is not entirely successful because sometimes the comedy Momoa adds to the part feels a little inappropriate. Consider a scene where Dante talks to some decorated dead bodies who certainly would be giving off an odor a bit more intense than they seem to in the film.

John Cena from the last movie makes a return as “Uncle Jakob” and it was nice to see Cena back in the series bringing his usual style and action persona to his character once again. Uncle Jakob bonds with Little Brian throughout the movie making Jakob’s fate a little easier to predict in the grand scheme of things. Another good performance was that of Sung Kang as Han who is hysterically using a dating app in the movie. Kang’s Han is always a fun character.

There’s a surprise appearance by Pete Davidson as Bowie, a guy who could help out Ramsey, Roman and Tej when Dante drains our heroes’ bank accounts of funds. Luckily, Roman has some cash strapped to his body to go to Davidson’s black market dealer to buy some weapons but, unfortunately for our heroes, they’re on the most wanted list as they were set up for criminal activity and Davidson’s character wants to turn them in for the cash.

Fast X reaches its gripping climax with plenty of tense filled moments along the way. Some of the action ends up shifting to Antarctica as Letty and Cipher get into some serious trouble. The real crowd pleasing moments are at the movie’s conclusion which leaves the door wide open for another movie in the franchise. As flames come after Dominic who’s driving his son as fast as he can to avoid them, you will surely be on the edge of your seat.

Rita Moreno and Brie Larson, the movie’s new stars, play Abuelita and “Tess,” and have tremendously little screen time. Larson, in particular, could pop up in the next film with a much bigger role, though. Stay put as the movie’s end credits roll because a major surprise awaits the audience as does another twist right at the picture’s end before the credits come up.

Diesel and Rodriguez are once again the film’s central stars and don’t disappoint. Diesel keeps the intensity of his character intact while always maintaining a relatable sense of pride throughout his part in the movie. Rodriguez is always tough as nails and keeps her character interesting during the course of the picture as well. Jason Statham also comes into the movie series once again playing Shaw. Although Statham’s role is a bit limited, it’s still a pivotal piece of the film nevertheless.

Fast X is one crazy ride. You may be able to see some of the new twists which may await us in the next film (could a trio of characters from the movie franchise really have gotten killed off?) but Fast X holds the audience’s attention as the action scenes come in a “fast and furious” fashion just like they’re supposed to.

Rating: 7/10

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