Furious 7

proved to be just about everything I had hoped it would be, and then some.  Though I could make cases for both the fifth and the sixth films in the franchise--and this most definitely is now a dream Hollywood franchise--being the best of the group, overall I have to go with Furious 7 as the winner.  If you liked any of the previous films in the series, you will not want to miss this one.

Within the class of summer action blockbuster films, what flaws this movie has boil down to not enough screen time for all the great stars involved.  I would have loved more minutes of Jason Statham, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Tony Jaa, and Ronda Rousey, to name but the four most notable folks.  When your biggest complaints about a film, though, are that you wish it gave you even more minutes--and it clocks in at 2:20--you're really searching for flaws.

Now, if we want to evaluate Furious 7 as a serious film, then we would have to critique it for being completely absurd in plot, dialog, and acting--but why would we do that?  If you walk into the theater to see this one, you know what you're in for.

I'm not giving away much by noting that the end of the movie is a loving farewell to Paul Walker, who as all fans know died before they had finished the initial shooting.  Though this segment was obviously and directly designed to yank our emotional chains, it succeeded, and I was genuinely touched by the affection the filmmakers seemed to feel for Walker.  Everyone I spoke with felt the same way.

All during this movie, people throughout the audience were saying "Yes!" and making similar happy comments and noises.  At the film's end, the audience clapped.

If you want a big-time summer action film, run, maybe even race, to Furious 7.

Slower and less angry

Yes, I ignored all the reviews and last Friday night went to check out Fast and Furious. Why?

Two words: Michelle Rodriguez. I knew in advance that her role was little more than a long cameo, but I just can't resist her.

Plus, to be fair, we had fast cars and plenty of things going "Boom!"

To my surprise, the 9:40 show at our local theater sold out, and the 10:10 show, which we attended, was nearly full. As my friend, Alissa, a teacher who moonlights at the theater to make extra money, knowingly said, "People like them some Vin."

The film had a plot. It had characters, and it made sure we knew most of their motivations--and slyly kept vague the demons driving Paul Walker, as it would reveal them over time. The team behind this number-one-at-the-box-office feature carefully assembled all of the pieces.

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone in the theater cared about any of the characters in the film. Giving a damn about them would have required more effort than digesting the last Amazon cardboard box you received.

All that said, I went in expecting empty calories, dined on my movie junk food, and left having had a pleasant enough time watching fast cars and things going "Boom!" I am such a movie slut.

I just wish they'd given Michelle Rodriguez a bigger role.