F9: The Fast Saga (2021) is the ninth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, which has been ruling the box office for the past 20 years. The film is directed by Justin Lin, who also helmed four previous entries in the series, and stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, John Cena, Charlize Theron, and many more familiar faces. The plot revolves around Dom Toretto (Diesel) and his crew facing a new threat from his long-lost brother Jakob (Cena), who is a skilled assassin and driver working for a mysterious villain named Cipher (Theron).
The film promises to deliver more of the trademark action and spectacle that fans have come to expect from the franchise, but does it live up to the hype? Is it worth watching on the big screen or streaming at home? Here are some of the pros and cons of F9: The Fast Saga (2021).
Pros:
- The film is full of preposterous and entertaining set pieces that defy the laws of physics and logic. From car chases involving magnets, rockets, and submarines, to fights on top of moving trucks and planes, to a literal trip to space, F9: The Fast Saga (2021) does not hold back on delivering jaw-dropping and eye-popping action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat or make you laugh out loud.
- The film has a nostalgic and emotional appeal for longtime fans of the franchise, as it brings back many characters from previous films, such as Han (Sung Kang), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Sean (Lucas Black), Roman (Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel). It also pays tribute to the late Paul Walker, who played Brian O’Conner in the first seven films, and explores the theme of family and loyalty that has been central to the series.
- The film has a diverse and charismatic cast that delivers some fun and witty banter, as well as some heartfelt moments. Diesel and Rodriguez have a solid chemistry as Dom and Letty, while Gibson and Ludacris provide comic relief as Roman and Tej. Cena is a formidable antagonist as Jakob, while Theron is a menacing mastermind as Cipher. The film also features some surprising cameo appearances that will delight fans.
Cons:
- The film is overlong and repetitive, as it runs for almost two and a half hours and follows a similar formula to the previous films. The plot is thin and predictable, as it involves a MacGuffin device that can control all weapons in the world, a global chase to stop the bad guys from getting it, and a final showdown that involves cars flying in the air. The film also relies on too many flashbacks and exposition to explain the backstory of Dom and Jakob, which slows down the pace and adds little to the character development.
- The film is ridiculous and unrealistic, as it pushes the boundaries of suspension of disbelief to the extreme. The film does not care about logic or consistency, as it makes up its own rules and ignores the consequences of its actions. The film also does not take itself seriously, as it constantly jokes about its own absurdity and mocks its own clichés. While some may find this amusing or refreshing, others may find it insulting or boring.
- The film is forgettable and formulaic, as it does not offer anything new or original to the franchise or the genre. The film is essentially a rehash of the previous films, with bigger explosions and more stunts. The film does not have any memorable scenes or dialogues, nor any meaningful messages or themes. The film is simply a popcorn flick that aims to entertain rather than enlighten.
Conclusion:
F9: The Fast Saga (2021) is a typical Fast and Furious movie that delivers what it promises: fast cars, furious action, and family drama. If you are a fan of the franchise or enjoy mindless fun, you may enjoy this movie for what it is. However, if you are looking for something more substantial or realistic, you may be disappointed by this movie for what it is not.
You can watch the trailer here and check IMDB here