SMG 2011: Fast Five

4 = Medal Of Honor

Director Justin Lin officially throws down the Summer Movie Gauntlet a week early with his latest installment of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, an outstanding action/heist film that sets the bar VERY high for the other quest items to follow between now and Labor Day weekend.

“Fast Five” reunites Paul Walker and Vin Diesel once again, as well as every major player from each of the previous films (Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, and Sung Kang among them) in an effort to steal $100 million dollars from a Brazilian drug lord (“Desperado’s” Joaquim de Almeida).  

As if that isn’t enough of a challenge, Dwayne Johnson enters the picture as Hobbs, a special DEA agent hellbent on returning Walker and Diesel to US soil for prosecution.  Tired of running for their lives, and with a baby on the way (via Jordana Brewster), they have no choice but to evade Johnson’s grasp long enough to pull off the heist then disappear forever.

Truth be told, I had never been a fan of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, as muscle cars, street racing, and bland acting really aren’t my cup of tea.  Therefore, I’m probably the last person that would say this franchise is one of the very few (if only) in cinema history that has actually improved with each installment rather than suffering from the Law of Diminishing Returns.

“Fast Five” is easily the piece de resistance to the whole series, a film that actually transcends its street racing roots to deliver a thoroughly satisfying adventure yarn that with an engaging cast and a few utterly jaw dropping action set pieces. 

Director Lin utilizes a top notch stunt team that thankfully relies more on practical stuntwork rather than CGI assisted effects.  I was initially worried that after the opening speeding train heist sequence the film wouldn’t be able to top itself, but rest assured, that set piece PALES in comparison to the film's climax.

Now I’m a weathered (and somewhat jaded) Film Warrior who’s seen just about every different variation of chases (car, boat, trains, etc.) on the silver screen, but here I can honestly say I’ve NEVER seen a chase sequence of this type done before on film, which involves two cars towing a multi ton bank vault through the streets of Rio at high speeds.

Action climaxes like this one are the reason I’m a Film Warrior.  It’s an exceptionally well edited sequence that features an unprecedented amount of vehicle and property damage that will have you shaking your head in disbelief while keeping you on the edge of your seat.  Sure, there are shades of other car chases (“Bad Boys II” and just about any other Michael Bay film among them), but this one is unique all unto itself, and will be remembered for years to come as the “vault chase sequence.”

Yes, it’s THAT good.

Screenwriter Chris Morgan ("Wanted") crafts a more than serviceable script worthy of big budget franchises that utilizes all of the characters and history from the proceeding films nicely, even if he has to throw the laws of physics out the window to do it.  

The film wisely appeals to a wider demographic this time around, but if you’re a true fan of the series, it is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that you stay for the post credits scene.  It’s one that features a head spinning, WTF moment that will be sure to leave you drooling for the next installment.

Justin Lin is currently rumored to helm then next “Terminator” film with a returning Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Judging by his superior Medal of Honor work here, I’d say Arnold is in good hands.  

Michael Bay and James Cameron should watch their backs.  There’s a new action kid in town.

“Deeds, not words…”