Furious 7 Review

Furious 7 is the culmination of everything that this franchise has become. It is no longer about street races, although it does open with one. It is about the family that we see onscreen, and the insane situations that they get themselves into. Due to how popular the Fast and Furious films have become, I doubt this will be the last installment.

However, it certainly feels like the perfect conclusion to a franchise that has continually defied viewer expectations - and the laws of physics - by topping itself time after time in terms of pure fun and entertainment, with just enough of a dramatic core to keep audiences invested in the characters. And the aspect of this film that sets it apart from all of its predecessors is the powerful emotional backbone that comes from the tragic death of Paul Walker.

There was a myriad of a problems that should have kept this film from ever even being released. Walker's untimely passing was a huge roadblock for everyone involved with the project. I wouldn't have blamed the cast and crew if they were simply unable to go on with it. However, after a few months of grieving, they got back to work and finished the film with a renewed passion that is palpable in the finished product. It is clear that they had Walker in mind throughout the entire process, and I found the way they say goodbye to him more satisfying and touching than I could have ever predicted.

The core cast of the franchise has returned for the seventh outing in a series that doesn't seem to be letting up on the gas pedal. Vin Diesel reprises his role as Dominic Toretto, the part that has ultimately defined his career up to this point. I absolutely love Vin Diesel; he is one of my favorite actors despite him not being in a whole lot of great movies. He gives a strong performance in this one. Paul Walker, of course, plays Brian O'Conner once again. Walker has had his critics over the years with many calling his acting wooden and lifeless. I personally like him in that Keanu Reeves way; he isn't going to win an Oscar, but he's likable enough to remain a convincing onscreen presence.

Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, and the hulking mass of pure testosterone that is Dwayne Johnson all return in their roles. They're not the most talented bunch of actors, but we love them all the same. We feel as though we've become a part of their onscreen family. A franchise with seven installments will do that.

Since this has become one of the most successful and enduring action franchises around, it's fitting that it would finally get its hands on the closest this decade has gotten to a definitive action star. I am of course referring to The Stath himself, Jason Statham. He plays the villain in this one, the brother of Fast & Furious 6's villain who is out for revenge. He doesn't do much talking, but when he's on screen, you pay attention. His character reminded me of a Terminator; he's relentless in his pursuit of our heroes and will often show up without much warning. He was a great action movie baddie.

If you've kept up with the Fast and Furious films, especially the last two, you'll know that they are intent on redefining the phrase "over-the-top" with their action sequences. Justin Lin had helmed most of the previous movies and did a fine job with the action, I thought. James Wan, a director typically known for his horror projects, has taken the reigns from Lin and delivered some of the series' best action set pieces to date. I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive about Wan taking over, but he did great work.

Whether its cars falling from an airplane, Diesel and Walker driving and gliding in between three skyscrapers, or the team racing through the streets of LA while being pursued by military-grade weaponry, the action scenes are gloriously over-the-top and they retain and even exceed the excitement generated by the film's predecessors. There are also a handful of pretty awesome hand-to-hand combat sequences. If you thought the Vin Diesel vs. The Rock fight in Fast Five was cool, wait until you see Statham duke it out with both those guys on separate occasions.

All this being said, you know what you're getting from this film and it doesn't have too much else to offer. A couple of the action scenes felt like they dragged on for too long, as did the film itself to a certain point. Additionally, the dialogue can be as cheesy as in any '80s or '90s action film, which is either good or bad depending on how you feel about one-liners. I also thought some of the special effects were obviously special effects. You may think that it's unfair to count that as a con, but in the modern age of filmmaking, it's been proven that effects can be better.

Those are just a few flaws in an otherwise great action film, though. It takes what the franchise has achieved in the past and tops it in almost every way. The humor is on-point most of the time, the action is thrilling and wonderfully insane, and the emotional core is stronger than it has ever been, which leads to a heartfelt conclusion that made me tear up a bit, I will admit.

If you're a fan of the franchise, then you've probably already seen it, so I don't need to convince you. Action junkies will equally be pleased with this movie. I can't see it appealing with the Oscar-bait arthouse crowd, but then again, who expects it to? I had a truly great time with Furious 7; it is probably my new favorite of the series and it will eventually take its place on my Blu-Ray shelf alongside the last two entries in a franchise that keeps getting better.

A-