Ever since US Diplomatic Security Service Agent Hobbs and lawless outcast Shaw first faced off, they just have traded smack talk and body blows. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixto...
I’ve understood the appeal behind these movies for a while and grew to like and appreciate the characters involved but recently, I felt like the movies after Fast Five became increasingly ridiculous with the writing as time progressed. “Hobbs & Shaw”, to me however, takes a different approach. While the other films kept all the cheesy dialogue, remarkable chemistry, distinguishable characters and awesome action set-pieces, it took themselves WAY too seriously. Here though, I think the biggest difference isn’t so much the premise but the execution of it all. I can only assume that everybody on set, especially Dwayne and Jason got the appeal and ran with it while subtly acknowledging and making light of the over the top nature of the story which, as a result, turned what could’ve been a run-of-the mill tasteless action movie into another lap won for the Fast And Furious franchise. Again, while the narrative is severely lacking, the antagonist is single-minded and the plot basically sums up to good guys stop bad guys from harnessing a superweapon, the film mostly makes up for it with solid acting, an insane premise, lucrative yet inventive setpieces, ridiculously awesome yet cheesy dialogue and action scenes and likable lead characters, specifically the two leads chemistry.
If you’re looking for something with actual depth and grounded virtue in its story, then this is SO not the movie for you. If you know what you’re getting yourself into and just want to see Heimdall, the Transporter and the Rock bust heads all over the planet, you will be throughly entertained as long as you suspend your disbelief and turn your brains off. Aside from a few nods, it bares no resemblance to the film that started it all but I’d be damned if I didn’t say this franchise is better off for it.
