Fast & Furious 9: A Space Odyssey of Family, Friends, and Electromagnets
The Fast & Furious franchise is known for its ludicrously over-the-top action sequences and its emphasis on family. In Fast & Furious 9 (F9), director Justin Lin, a veteran of the franchise, pushes the boundaries even further, sending the Fast crew on a globe-trotting adventure that culminates in a journey to space. This is not a joke; F9 is the first Fast & Furious movie to venture into the final frontier. While the film’s premise may seem nonsensical, it embraces the absurdity with a wink and a nod, acknowledging the series’ superhero-like status and its inherent disregard for logic.
**A Family Divided, A Crazy Plot Unfolds**
The film begins with a tragedy that divides the Toretto brothers, Dom and Jakob, played by Vin Diesel and John Cena respectively. Fast forward two decades, and Jakob, having become a rogue agent, resurfaces, stealing a MacGuffin from the Fast crew, who were originally in Central America to help Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell). As is tradition, the heist leads to a global chase, taking the team from Tokyo, London, Edinburgh, Cologne, Tbilisi, and the Caspian Sea to, you guessed it, outer space.
**Familiar Faces, New Adventures**
F9 reunites almost every major character from the previous films, making it a virtual compendium of The Fast Saga. Among the returning favourites are Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Ludacris), and the long-awaited return of Han Lue (Sung Kang), who apparently survived his "death" in Fast & Furious 6. The film also features delightful cameos from Helen Mirren and a new entrant, rapper Cardi B. The presence of these characters gives the film a nostalgic feel, as if it were a celebration of the franchise’s history.
**A Mix of Fun and Seriousness**
While F9 embraces the ridiculousness of its plot, it also attempts to incorporate a more serious emotional core, focusing on the fractured relationship between Dom and Jakob. The film explores themes of family, betrayal, and forgiveness, adding a layer of depth that is sometimes missing in the franchise’s more action-heavy entries. However, the attempt to balance fun and seriousness doesn’t always succeed. Cena’s performance as Jakob is often self-serious and doesn’t quite fit the film’s overall tone, which leans more towards comedic absurdity. It’s a stark contrast to how, for instance, James Gunn effectively utilizes Cena’s comedic potential in "The Suicide Squad," where the character is also self-serious but the overall tone is more playful.
**A Missed Opportunity for Theron?**
Charlize Theron returns as the villainous Cipher, but her role is largely wasted. The film seems to take a shot at how Fast & Furious 8 didn’t use her properly, yet it seems to repeat the same mistake. Theron’s presence feels more like a reminder that she’s still around, rather than a truly compelling contribution to the narrative. It’s almost as if her role is being "saved" for the next film, Fast & Furious 10, or the two-part finale (FX), which is slated for release in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
**The Fast Family in Space: An Unlikely, Yet Entertaining, Journey**
By sending its characters into space, F9 takes a giant leap into the realm of improbable action. The film’s willingness to embrace the absurd makes it an entertaining, albeit often nonsensical, ride. Despite its flaws, F9 is a fun, nostalgic addition to the Fast & Furious franchise, serving as a celebration of the series’ unique blend of action, family, and over-the-top spectacle. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer looking for a wild, action-packed ride, F9 is sure to provide a few laughs and a thrilling cinematic experience, even if it comes with its fair share of head-scratching moments.
