F9 THE FAST SAGA – Rated PG-13 – 2 hrs. 25 mins.
DIRECTOR: Justin Lin
WRITERS: Daniel Casey, Justin Lin, Alfredo Botello
STARRING: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriquez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Sung Kang, Anna Sawal, Helen Mirren and Kurt Russell
Who would have thought that 20 years ago, when the first Fast & Furious hit the big screen, that combining fast cars, a few super-hot guys, and a few beauteous ladies along the way too, would manage to keep our attention, and lead us to where we are today within this mogul franchise, but yet, here we are!
And as we take on the 9th installment, get ready to thoroughly enjoy a few blasts from the past, and some new faces along the way too, as we venture into Dom’s (Vin Diesel) new tranquil life, with his son in tow, and Letty (Michelle Rodriquez) by his side. But when the rest of Dom’s team converges upon them, to pull them from their tranquil existence, they share that Cipher has extracted a blast from Dom’s past – his brother Jakob (John Cena), this news not only messes with Dom’s psyche, but gives us an incredibly entertaining back story, that most of the time throughout this film, will keep you totally entertained.
And in true F & F form, they’ve found a way to increase the action and car antics this time around too, as F9 is ALL THAT, and so much more! It’s pretty awesome too, that our F & F favorites are blessed with continually evolving character development each and every time they hit the big screen, and what’s an action packed film too, without recurring villains that somehow, some way, just keep coming back to rear their ugly heads!
Now, we all know that if you are a Fast & Furious fan, regardless of what I say here, you are heading out to the theater this weekend to catch Dom and the gang in all their glory. But, if you are torn on whether or not to drop your cold hard cash to catch F9 at a theater near you, let me make it easy for you…you most definitely should. I mean, this film isn’t an astounding, earth shattering masterpiece that is going to rock your world for weeks after viewing it, but if you want to kick back, relax, and enjoy an action-packed film that is totally entertaining, with Dame Helen Mirren along for the ride too, then this one was made just for you! I mean by this point in the game of F & F, you know what to expect going in, and of course the writers threw in a little cliff hanger here or there along the way as well, just to keep the good times of this franchise rolling, into a few more films down the road. Who knows what the final “magic number” will be, just suffice to say that Dom, Letty and the rest of the gang are just gearing up once again for a little more Fast & Furious fun. Also please note that you can’t leave when you think the film is through, as the scene during the credits, will help you venture into what just might be a partial premise to prepare you, for when F10 finally arrives!
3.5 out of 5 Stars
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 