The movie picks up right where Fast and Furious (2009) left off – with Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) speeding down a highway in pursuit of the prison bus carting the recently convicted Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) to the slammer. The escape is successful and gripping -– a bus is rolled, there’s an explosion and voluminous dust clouds punctuate the action-- well-worth the two-year intermission between parts IV and V.
But, the high from the escape is short-lived as O’Connor makes a snap judgment that ends up getting the group involved with one of the baddest cats in all of Rio de Janeiro, Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). Of course, this situation can only be solved with cars and crime, which draws the attention of John Q. Law and his sister Joan. Q Law., played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Elsa Pataky, respectively.
Fans of the series will enjoy the ensemble cast -- the best and brightest from the previous automotive assignations reprising their roles: Tyrese Gibson as Roman, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges as Tej, Sung Kang as Han, and Tengo Calderon as Leo, to name a few.
However, the same fans might also be disgusted at the PG-13 antics. The urgency, grit and playful profanity of the previous flicks have been noticeably toned down. Like down-grading your engine to upgrade your wheels -- it was an understandable move that ensures the flick gets a bit more distance.
In short, there are cars, chicks and crashes; so, load up the mini-van and cruise down to your local IMAX theatre. Don't be stingy. The speakers are loud enough to drown out the weeping of your credit card.
Fast Five hits the big screen at midnight!
