The Fast and Furious franchise has increasingly ramped up its explosive stunts, bikini-clad models, and most importantly, its jaw dropping, eye-popping, awe-inspiring beast machines.
Universal Studio’s latest installment, Furious 7, crashed through boundaries that no other racing movie could ever imagine. An action sequence ignited the storyline that in any other movie would’ve been the climax. Cars went where no cars have gone before: parachuting from a C-130 cargo plane and leaping through the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Thrilling racing sequences, tense moments of near-death scenes, and exhilarating combat that would beat down any other action movie dominated the length of Furious 7.
But even with all the jam-packed, keep-you-at-the-edge-of-your-seat scenes, the movie still made room for the hilarious and jaunty banter between Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson, emotional connections with Dom helping Letty remember her past, Brian fighting to protect his family, and an even more swole Dwayne Johnson.
In addition to the already A-list crew, the movie introduced an even more star-studded cast: Real-life MMA expert Ronda Rousey, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tony Jaa, Djimon Honsou, and the ever bald, but still badass, Jason Statham. Oh, and spoilers (but not really significant), Iggy played a part in the movie for about 15 seconds. Totally ruined the movie, but not really.
The soundtrack played well with the scenes, the plot weaved itself throughout the movie, and the final tribute to Paul Walker hit home.
With all the production and creativity that went into making the movie, it’s no surprise that Furious 7 broke the box office by bringing in $384 million worldwide on opening weekend sales alone. The movie tied up loose ends left in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, a movie that without the 7th movie would’ve stood out like Iggy Azalea trying to rap.
With all the hype and momentum F&F holds, Universal now has to determine if there will be another installment. More money will always be a temptation for the studio, so if anything drops into the discussions of another F&F movie, money will be a huge variable.
On Jimmy Kimmel, Vin Diesel teased an eighth installment set in New York – though it has yet to be officially confirmed. Beyond the location, Diesel didn’t mention any other hints.
As much as I would love to see another Fast and Furious movie, I think it’s time for the franchise to retire. Furious 7 gracefully handled Paul Walker’s sudden death in the middle of production, but no one can doubt the ever-lingering fact that Furious 7 will always be Paul Walker’s last act. Other than Tokyo Drift, Paul Walker played the protagonist in the Fast movies, but with his absence, the franchise just won’t be the same.
Furious 7 director James Wan respectfully retired Walker’s character rather than kill him off. If an eighth were made, Brian O’ Connor would likely stay home to spend time with his family rather than dodge bullets and drive shiny cars.
Kurt Russell’s mysterious G-man character would likely play a role in the possible next movie, perhaps assigning the crew for a new mission. It’d be nice to see Eva Mendes’ character from 2 Fast 2 Furious 2 come back 2 the franchise. SPOILERS. Just kidding. Wan also ensured that Furious 7 ended with someone not dying so we’re likely to see that character somehow come back. Excuse my vagueness; I’m trying to refrain from ruining the ending.
Without a doubt, Furious 7 races past all previous F&F movies, injecting you with a bigger, ballsier, ludicrous/Ludacris steroid-zapped dose of Fast and Furious entertainment.
But lets leave it at 7: a grand tribute to Paul Walker’s amazing performance in the piston-pumping franchise.
