Furious mood at the big screen
Bakang Israel | Friday April 10, 2015 16:24
Fast 7, which premiered on April 2, was a day before the initial scheduled date and the movie was sold out the entire weekend even on Monday and Tuesday. One had to double their efforts to get a glimpse. Our notorious gang of speed freaks are back once more lighting up the big screens.
Vin Diesel never disappoints as Dominic Torretto, leader of the street racing legion. He reprises his role, as did the rest of the crew. Even the late Paul Walker returned as Brian O’Conner.
He is seen in the movie, which was in production just before his tragic death. This was the most interesting part as to how much the script would change with Walker dying in 2013 with the film half complete. In this blockbuster Dom and his crew face a new out of this world villain, Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw. Statham brings a new dimension to the Fast and Furious world – more vigour and action as a robust cold-hearted nemesis. He is known for hit films such as the Transporter, as well as Parker.
This two-hour 17 minutes bundle of exhilarating pleasure of a film, was made for us by a one-time best director and award winner for the Conjuring (2013), James Wan. Wan and his crew are the living gods at the moment looking at how they are smashing records with Fast 7.
As we get more into the thick of the action, it does not come bigger and better than Fast 7. Let me unpack it for you with a brief movie plot to paint a good picture.
“Toretto and his crew thought they left the criminal mercenary life behind. After taking down international terrorist Owen Shaw two years ago and going their separate ways. Now, the past has come to haunt them, Shaw’s older brother is out to settle one last score his little brother becoming the crew’s worst nightmare driven by vengeance. Another twist that spices things up is God’s Eye computer terrorism programme, which can turn any technological device into a weapon.
Toretto must reconvene with his team to stop Shaw and retrieve the God’s Eye program while caught in a power struggle between terrorist and the United States government”.
I have been watching movies for quite some time, but have not been this excited after a film screening or experience such as the one I have had with Fast 7. This time around, yours truly visited Riverwalk cinemas and it was packed to the rafters.
The audience appreciated this movie with handclaps and cheers as if at a football match. FF7 (in short) kicks off with Toretto and (Mitchel Rodriguez) Letty taking us way back to the main reason why everyone fell in love with the initial Fast and Furious, with a ride to race wars, which is a car show extravaganza in the desert.
From the onset you just fall in love with the cars. Then again getting more into the film it sets a new level of action as Jason Statham (Deckard Shaw), makes his presence felt.
This is the complete villain/nemesis that brings it if you know what I mean, as he packs a punch as well as behind the wheel skills (as seen in Transporter). It was quite epic to see who is the better driver between street king Toretto and Deckyard.
Just like his brother Owen (Luke Evans) was a thorn in Fast 6, here a selection of scenes showcasing Statham’s badass attitude.
It is worth noting how emotional and touching the film feels, particularly every time Walker’s scenes appear on screen. Towards the end there is a 5-minute tribute dedicated to the late superstar and it is then that his 2013 tragic death creeps into our minds. Walker’s brothers Caleb Walker and Cody Walker completed his roles on his behalf together with the aid of computer graphics or footage of him from previous films. One has to credit Fast 7 writer Chris Morgan for coming up with such a scintillating film.
This is not the first time as he did it before with Fast & Furious 6 (2013), 47 Ronin (2013) Fast Five (2011), Wanted (2008), which explains why Fast 7 is so furious. It is shot in beautiful exotic locations such as Monte Cristi, Tokyo, London, Los Angels, and Abu Dhabi.
The special effects are also of high quality, as we get introduced to God’s Eye, a sophisticated hacking tech that can spot anyone.
To sum it up Fast 7 ending might just leave room for another Fast sequel.
Overall, this movie is a smash hit. Even the reception it is getting at cinemas world wide after its opening week is just astonishing.
Fast 7 raked in premiere figures of $147 million dollars before driving furiously across the world with worldwide sales of $245 million and a staggering combined sum of $406 million dollars at the time of going for press on Wednesday.
This is quite huge and record-breaking as Fast 7 was produced from an estimated $250 million budget and that is looking like peanuts after just six days on circuit. It has outdone the first Fast and Furious movie, which received $207 million in its time on circuit. This one went on breaking records set by February hit movie Fifty Shades of Grey and last year’s April blockbuster Captain America The Winter Soldier.
Movie: Fast and Furious 7
Genre: Action, Crime, and Thriller
Duration: 2 hour 17 minutes
Age Restriction: 13
Director: James Wan
Main Cast: Vin Diesel is Dominic Toretto, Paul Walker
(Brian O’Conner), with Jason Statham
(Deckard Shaw), Djimon Hounsou (Jakande) and Dwayne Johnson (Hobbs)
This week’s hottest movies at the cinema:
1. Fast and Furious 7
2. Cinderella
3. Get Hard
4. Home
5. Insurgent
If this is not action thrilling at its very best then I don’t know what is. It takes a 10/10 rating. Fast 7 is an awesome movie experience.