Fast & Furious 6 (2013) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew return to take down a team of mercenaries led by former military leader, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans). Joining them is Agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), who tasks Dom with the mission. Complications arise when Dom’s supposed deceased girlfriend, Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), returns.

Review:

Fast & Furious 6 is once again directed by Justin Lin. It contains the same fun action sequences fans should expect.

Despite this, the film is less consistent with its plot structure. Its middle section is the film’s main weakness.

During these sections, the film drags its feet. This is because it sets up connections to a previous entry, Fast & Furious (2009).

This makes sense from a thematic standpoint. Despite this, its inclusion can feel shoehorned in.

Also, Fast & Furious 6 brings back Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz to the franchise.

Although this serves as a way to connect her to Dom again, their scenes together can slow the film’s momentum down.

Where this sixth installment does provide entertainment is with its action sequences. As a whole, they're fun to watch.

Despite this, the action does border on a lack of believability during its final sequence.

This sequence, for example, is when Dom and his crew aim to take Shaw down before he escapes on a cargo plane.

First of all, the runway for the plane seems to go on for eternity. This becomes more evident as the sequence progresses.

Where this sequence does succeed is with several hand-to-hand sequences that take place inside the plane.

This sequence involves Letty taking on one of Shaw’s accomplices, Gina Carano’s Riley Hicks. It also involves Dom’s fight against Owen Shaw himself.

During this sequence, Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs also intervenes. With his intervention, he helps Dom take down another member of Shaw’s crew.

This sequence also demonstrates each character’s fighting style to good effect.

This ranges from Dom and Hobbs’s brawling techniques to Owen and Riley’s martial arts.

Luke Evans’s Owen Shaw is a tenacious antagonist. With this character, Evans demonstrates a disregard for others around him.

Evans embodies these qualities well, even if there isn’t much else to his character.

Displaying her MMA background in this entry is Gina Carano as Riley Hicks. Gina’s skills are in several action sequences, such as her employing a flying armbar.

Beyond a demonstration of these skills, Gina's character is basic.

Dom’s sister, Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), also returns. Despite a welcome return, her character remains stationary throughout the film.

It isn’t until Shaw captures her later on in the film that her purpose has more meaning.

As expected, Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner also returns. As a whole, the actor delivers a good performance.

Vin Diesel displays the usual gruffness as Dominic Toretto. This shouldn't be a surprise to audiences who watch these films.

With its visuals, Justin Lin brings a similar approach. With them, he highlights the film’s environments and action sequences.

Fast & Furious 6 is good from a visual standpoint, yet doesn’t offer anything beyond this.

Brian Tyler also returns to helm the score, providing a familiar tone.

Whilst not as entertaining as his score from the previous film, it is above average.

Conclusion:

To conclude, Fast & Furious 6 is a good entry into this franchise. This is despite its difficulties with plot structure.

Its action sequences, while still entertaining, may test viewers’ patience with their believability.

This is obvious when watching the film's final action sequence involving the cargo plane and its endless runway.

While the hand-to-hand sequences inside the plane are good, most of the other action sequences start to lose momentum.

Fast & Furious 6's characters bring the usual interactions that fans will expect.

Both Dom and Brian act as the main focus, with Dwayne Johnson’s Agent Hobbs acting as backup.

Other characters, such as Jordana’s Mia, have a minimal role until the film decides to make her relevant.

This film’s antagonist, Luke Evans’s Owen Shaw, is a good foil to Dom, looking to outwit him at every turn.

Evans’ performance is also consistent, even if the character’s motives are basic.

Gina Carano’s Riley has minimal development as a secondary antagonist. She also gets a brief chance to showcase her MMA background.

Fast & Furious 6 also gives a familiar visual style. With it, Justin Lin focuses on the action and environments.

Brian Tyler’s score is also good, adding to the intensity of certain action sequences.

As a whole, Fast & Furious 6 is a good action film, let down by an uneven narrative structure.

Action can also overstay its welcome, such as the one involving a cargo plane. Still, for Fast & Furious fans, it is a recommended watch.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 7/10

Story - 6.5/10

Action - 7.5/10

Visuals - 7/10

Soundtrack - 7/10

Overall score: 7 out of 10