Saturday, June 01, 2013

Fast & Furious 6





Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 24th May, 2013
Time : 131 minutes
Director: Justin Lin; Writer : Chris Morgan; Music : Lucas Vidal
Starring : Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Luke Evans, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Jordana Brewster, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky, Gina Carano




The Akashi Kaikyo bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a central span of 1991m ie almost 2 kms between its main towers. However, you’re going to need something way bigger to suspend the amount of disbelief at the various plot holes in this film. The fact its still watchable is due to some jaw dropping stunts and the jokes flying thick and fast throughout the film.





Paul Walker is now a father. Vin Diesel lives in a non extradition country with gorgeous girlfriend Elsa. And the rest of the crew are busy spending their loot from the previous films. However, a theft executed with military precision and the sceptre of a tech bomb forces Hobbs to call in Vin Diesel and the crew in a ‘you need a thief to catch a thief’ logic (why couldn’t he go the army mobility division, where the ringleader Luke Evans hailed from ?). The fact that Michelle Rodriguez may still be alive is enough for everyone to jump right into the fray.





The thefts by Luke and his gang (from Interpol and later a base in Spain) are riddled with implausibility. As are the way Vin Diesel’s team searches for clues and follows them up (no back up and just too easy). The chase sequences are baffling because of the lack of air support and the complete absence of any firepower with the cops / army units chasing the bad guys. Imagine someone turning London into a racetrack, having stolen sensitive army equipment worth billions. Surely a couple of F16’s wouldn’t be out of order ?





Well, in the world that Vin Diesel inhabits, apparently the code is everyone does everything with cars. And tanks. And maybe a cargo airplane. But mostly its just cars. The movie is furiously paced, the cars skid, swerve and speed with style and there are a couple of insane stunts (the one which brings the tank to a halt is very cool).



The jokes are what set this film apart though. From the snide ‘functional clothing’ remarks from the British car dealer and the sweet revenge against him by Ludacris. The one liners by and at the expense of Tyrese Gibson (about his forehead, the whole sequence when he wants some snacks during Hobbs debrief) and the hilarious conversation between Sung Kang and Tyrese (about ‘he’s a man’ and later about the necessity for rocks) make sure there is a smile on your face almost constantly through the film.



Logic certainly takes a back seat in this film with the men and women all exulting in non stop, adrenalin pumping action. However, since it is fast, and very furious, perhaps I shouldn’t complain too much.

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