I finally caught “Fast X” after it was made available on Prime the other day. I loved the early to mid-Fast and Furious Franchise releases, but this one didn’t sit well with me. Maybe I am just getting too old.
That said, I am very interested in themes central to "Fast X” beyond automobile culture and history -- family, honor, legacy, loyalty. It’s these Biblical notions that have drawn me to these films -- although the speed can cars were a part of my fascination as well. There is a touching moment with a cross, but it is just a moment, and the meaning can be easily lost.
This film was the fifth highest grossing film of 2023, and over $350 million was spent on making it. It is star studded -- with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriquez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludicrous” Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniella Melchior, Alan Richardson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Stathem, Jason Momoa (the bad guy who might as well be a clown at times), and Charlize Theron.
The car featured electric Dodge Chargers, along with a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, Lamborghini Gallardo, Alfa Romeo 159, and a Porsche 911 997 GT3 RS. And then there is the bad guy’s Chevrolet Impala.
The scenes were exotic -- Rome, Turn, Portugal and more. But the settings are so blurred with high-powered action. Is this what life is all about now -- a quick rush, but not an introspective sensitivity?
The line that stuck with me was that in our own time cars and drivers no long matter -- how true that might be with autonomous vehicles on the horizon and being introduced currently. But the real problem I had was that the themes of honor, family, etc. were diluted to a large degree by the silliness, distractions, pace so fast that it was seen as frenetic for this old man.
There can be too much of a good thing, and I believe this movie demonstrates that point. Vin, as you bring this series to an end, slow down some.
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