FAST X (12A, 141 mins) Action/Thriller/Romance. Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Alan Ritchson, Leo Abelo Perry, Helen Mirren, Joaquim de Almeida. Director: Louis Leterrier.
Released: May 19
IF YOU listen intently to the sound design of Fast X, beneath the insistent roar of engines, screeching of tyres and composer Brian Tyler's cacophonous score you'll be able to discern a thud-thud-splutter on repeat.
That is the unmistakable sound of a turbo-charged action franchise running on exhaust fumes.
For the 10th screech around the block with glowering street racer Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and co, the gang passes itself off as Avengers: Infinity War on wheels replete with a deranged supervillain, cameos from stars in earlier instalments and a tragedy-laden ending.
Action set-pieces are spectacular, including a demolition derby through the streets of Rome, but there is a nagging familiarity to these outlandish sequences and when a pay-off relies on digital effects rather than thrilling practical stunt work, the warning lights flicker on the Fast X dashboard.
More noticeably than its predecessors, director Louis Leterrier's picture doesn't glance into its rear-view mirror before accelerating sharply away from realism.
It's hard to muster concern for characters when the laws of physics are repeatedly ignored to keep the plot chugging towards an inevitable cliff-hanger tease for the series' swansong in summer 2025.
Jason Momoa is a glorious addition as the vengeance-seeking son of drug lord Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) from Fast & Furious 5.
His preening, sociopathic peacock with serious daddy issues has evidently been taking notes from Joker from the DC Comics universe, careening wildly between maniacal clown and merciless terrorist as he ruthlessly targets everyone that Dom loves with the chilling promise, "Never accept death when suffering is owed!".
Fast X barely passes its MOT because Momoa is a delirious delight.
A breathless prologue soups up footage from Fast & Furious 5 featuring Paul Walker to rewrite history and establish ties between Dante Reyes (Momoa) and Dom dating back to the daring bank heist in Rio de Janeiro.
Ten years later in present day Los Angeles, Dante enacts his revenge plan and targets Dom's wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and young son Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), brother Jakob (John Cena) and the current crew comprising Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), hacker Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and drift racer Han Lue (Sung Kang).
Former associates including Deckard's mother Queenie (Helen Mirren) are also potential collateral damage.
Meanwhile, cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) lurks in the shadows and Mr Nobody's spunky daughter Tess (Brie Larson) defies orders from the agency's new leader, Aimes (Alan Ritchson), to side with Dom in the fast-approaching war against Reyes.
Fast X is the least satisfying instalment of the post-Paul Walker era.
Running time is excessive given the lack of horsepower in Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin's script and female characters are poorly served when they aren't weathering punches in bruising fight sequences.
Diesel runs through his full repertoire of snorts and growls as the body count rises to underline Dante's deadly threat.
Ardent fans should keep seatbelts buckled until the end credits have fully rolled.
RATING: 2/5
