Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw review by Bobby Blakey
There are few franchises that have surprised like that of the Fast and Furious. The original film rolled into cinemas back in 2001. It was such a major hit that it came as no surprise there was a sequel with 2 Fast 2 Furious, but it lost star Vin Diesel to many fans dismay. Since then the franchise has reunited cast members from all the films into one cohesive team, lost some both on and off screen and added plenty of new faces through 8 films. Now fans are getting the first spin off from the franchise with Hobbs and Shaw staring Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Vanessa Kirby, and Idris Elba from John Wick, Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2 director David Letich, but does it bring more high octane action fans expect or will it run out of gas?
Hobbs and Shaw follows hulking lawman Hobbs, a loyal agent of America's Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw, a former British military elite operative, who first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7 and have constantly swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. When cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent, who just happens to be Shaw’s sister, these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves.
Throughout the last few movies of the Fast and Furious franchise it has gotten bigger and more over the top. It has surpassed just being street racing and moved into the world of espionage and heists. This latest entry not only keeps the same formula intact with fast cars, family and insane action it injects it with some science fiction and insanity in the most fun way possible. Going in you have to know that there are so many things here that are over the top and obviously not possible, but if you can just let that go and have the fun they want
you to have it works to perfection.
The entire film hinges on the relationship of Johnson and Statham which consists of constant insults and jabs at each other like an old unhappy married couple. This chemistry works and offers up some funny moments, but also at the core to the family element for them to both deal with. Finding ways to work together has always been a part of this franchise but even more so family. This is here as well with stories running side by side for both Hobbs and Shaw. This keeps the film feeling like it is part of the bigger franchise while still being its own thing. I loved that this allows Johnson to bring more of a spotlight on his Samoan culture in both the family and action.
I enjoyed Elba as the villain here and he looked like he was having a blast. Sure there are so many elements that will have you saying that wouldn’t happen, but that is part of the fun. He brings the action and quick quips to make him fit right into the franchise while never getting overly comical. Let’s be honest though the only real reason anyone watches these movies is for the action and there is a ton of it. They bring everything to the table here with fist fights, car chases, guns fights and old school Samoan weapons. It all adds up to a fun entry to the franchise that is clearly taking the exit ramp into its own world that stills connects, but has set up a future that is something of its own.
Be sure to stay through the entire credits as there are numerous mid-credit and after credit scenes that are a lot of fun. I had a ton of fun with this film and can’t wait to see the next adventure with this dysfunctional duo and their possible new accomplices.
In addition to the film, this release includes bonus content including alternate opening, deleted/extended scenes, commentary, and tons of featurettes that take you behind bringing this latest action packed chapter of the Fast and Furious franchise to life. Join the two baddest men on the planet when Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw available now and then on 4K Ultra, Blu-ray and DVD on November 5th from Universal Home Entertainment.
