Review // Furious 7

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The final chapter of the Fast and Furious saga comes out this weekend and if you want heart-pounding, edge of your seat action – Furious 7 delivers.

Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto leads his rag tag team of adrenaline junkies on a quest for vengeance after series newcomer Jason Statham’s Deckhard Shaw kills franchise favourite Han (Sung Kang) in Tokyo (Drift). Dom’s team consists of his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) and brother-in-law Bryan (Paul Walker) who are having issues adjusting to the humdrum life of domestic bliss. His newly returned love, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) is still suffering from amnesia, while Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) provide the comic relief. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Agent Hobbs who – despite his professionalism – encourages his “brother” Dom to engage with Shaw after the ex-special forces op puts him in the ICU. That’s right Jason Statham beats up The Rock…well technically he blows him up but still – its an awesome scene.

What Furious 7 promises are epic fight scenes, unbelievable car chases and so much suspense that it will kick start your inner adrenaline junkie.

The tale of double vengeance – Shaw is also out for revenge, aiming to destroy Dom’s team since they put his brother Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) in a coma in Fast & Furious 6 – gets a little muddled with spy games. Enter Kurt Russell’s Mr. Nobody, the suave leader of a covert government agency. He asks Dom to do a job Washington won’t let his team complete. With the promise of Mr. Nobody’s aid help to capture Shaw, Dom and his team of racers rescue Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), a British hacker who has been captured by the international terrorist Mose Jakande (Djimon Hounsou). But after the team extracts Ramsey they vow to keep her safe from the criminals who are still after her. Looks like the family is growing. 

Despite an ending that too easily ties up all the loose ends, it’s hard to believe Furious 7 will be it for the franchise, especially given the large ensemble cast. The film spent significant time growing the bromance between Tej and Roman as well as introducing a potential love triangle with them and Ramsey – cue another carefree, fun loving adventure in Miami a la Too Fast Too Furious. If anyone can fill Dom’s alpha tough guy shoes its Hobbs. Plus, any Hobbs spin-off is bound to bring back Elsa Pataky’s Elena and has a seemingly endless supply of stories as Hobbs travels around the globe taking down bad guys for Lady Liberty. So while Furious 7 will forever be Paul Walker’s final film it most likely won’t be the final Fast & Furious venture.

Despite Diesel’s affirmation that Furious 7 is Oscar worthy, don’t go in expecting a strong plot with outstanding acting. What Furious 7 promises are epic fight scenes, unbelievable car chases and so much suspense that it will kick start your inner adrenaline junkie. While there are some gaping plot holes, cheesy one lines and a few eye-roll-inducing scenes milking Walker’s death for all the feels, on the whole Furious 7 is a fun watch.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.