Fast Five (2011) Review

Director: Justin Lin

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Schulze, Dwayne Johnson, Elsa Pataky, Joaquim De Almeida, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Michael Irby

After the release of the fourth movie which was financially successful, a fifth movie was guaranteed with Lin back at the helm, but the plan was to take things into a new direction by turning the series into heist movies and bring back past characters in addition to Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and Mia (Jordana Brewster). This film really did revitalize the franchise and is by far the best Fast and Furious yet by being knowingly ridiculous and over the top. The film starts off where the last movie left off with Brian and Mia breaking Dom out the prison bus, and then go on the run from authorities. Then we cut to Brian and Mia in Rio deJanero where they meet Vince (Matt Schulze) from the first movie. They along with Dom try to pull off a train heist, but things go wrong when one of Dom’s associates kills three DEA agents and double crosses them. The US government then sends DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and his team to track down Brian, Dom and Mia and arrest them. Dom and Brian then decide to go after Hernan Reyes (Joaquim De Almeida, a crime lord and the man who set them up, by assembling a new crew consisting of returning character Han (Sung Kang), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Gisele (Gal Gadot), Leo (Tego Calderon) and Santos (Don Omar).

The returning cast from across the previous four films are all great and have fantastic chemistry with one another. The core theme of family is stronger than ever. Also Dwayne Johnson is a great addition to the franchise and his role as DSS agent Luke Hobbs, represents him in his ultimate form, he is at maximum intensity at all moments and has great one liners and his fight with Diesel did not disappoint. Another great thing about this movie is adding more practical action sequences and chase scenes including when they are hauling the vault through the streets of Rio, a lot better than the use of CGI. If I had one negative about movie is that I thought Reyes, the movie’s villain was forgettable and didn’t do much except sitting down or standing around.

Overall nothing stands in the films way as the writers completely shirk their job letting the cast loose through a labyrinth of explosive fun. All that matters is that "Fast Five" is the epitome of a Hollywood money-maker. It is entertainment.

Rating: 9/10