I’m a fan of the Fast and the Furious franchise. You know what you’re getting when walking into one of these movies – fast cars, lots of action, and a plot that is simple with a twist at the end. To me, that’s not a bad thing. It means that I can check my brain at the door, sit back, and watch a movie without having to think too hard on what’s happening in front of me.

Fast 6 (or Furious 6 as the title on the print we saw had it listed) delivers on everything I listed above. There are fast cars and an incredible chase around the streets of London. There is lots of action and stunts that will blow your mind (and a few that may make you suspend reality for a few seconds, but again what were you expecting for this type of movie?). And there is a plot that actually takes plots points from the fourth, fifth, and sixth film making these a trilogy as well as answering some lingering questions that have been hanging around for a while.

Add all of this together and Fast 6 is one BAD-ASS movie!

Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

I’m not a spoiler kind-a-guy, I like talking about the movie and letting you know what I liked or didn’t like. I liked a lot in Fast 6! I liked so much that I want to see it again this weekend with another audience and see how they react to the events that take place in the world of “The Fast and the Furious”. There is a lot to take in but at the end you get a movie that gives us a lot – action, comedy, and a fun time.

So because I’m in a “GBC” mood this week (see my review of The Hangover Part III) I’m going to give you a “The Good, The Bad, The Crazy” review.

The Good:

• The gang’s all back! Brian (Paul Walker), Dom (Vin Diesel), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Han (Sung Kang), Tej (Ludacris), and Gisele (Gal Gadot). But wait….what is this??? Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) is back too!! What? How? Well if you’re one of the few that didn’t stay through the end of the credits of Fast 5 you missed this…  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQOfiLVHFrY
• Hobbs (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) bringing the group out of retirement and needing their help with stopping Shaw (Luke Evans) who’s group of drivers (referenced in the clip I just linked) is stealing from the military all over Europe. This time Hobbs has a new partner in Riley (Gina Carano) as they work with Interpol in tracking down Shaw’s group.
• ACTION and lots of it! Between a gun battle that turns into a multi-character fight sequence (and this is how The Expendables really should have been) you get to see Han and Roman team up and how their bromance has evolved. That same scene has Riley and Letty in a fight that makes you wonder how each were able to walk away afterwords. Shaw has an enforcer in his team that you are waiting to see go toe to toe with Hobbs – when this happens you won’t be disappointed…well you will be if you’re waiting for a ‘Rock Bottom’ as it never happens but very timely ‘Suplex’ does.
• Fast cars and fast car chases. The sequence in London was so edge of the seat that it was hard to blink as I was afraid I’d miss something.
• Still having a street race in the movie yet really moving away from the street races that started the franchise all the way back in the first movie.
• Great chemistry between Tyrese and Ludacris. I know that I said The Rock and Anthony Mackie should be the next two if Michale Bay decides to continue the Bad Boys franchise but Tyrese and Ludacris could also step in nicely.
• Making Fast 4 through 6 a trilogy is genius! Bringing in characters and small plot beats that expand into major part of Fast 6 again shows that the Director, Justin Lin, really knew what he wanted with these three movies and you get payoff for it.
  

The Bad:

• There are two big sequences where you just have to suspend reality or else your mind may melt from your ears. Don’t get me wrong as the action in both will keep you on the edge of your seat…you just need to skip the part about reality, gravity, and real world physics.
• Some of the action sequences were a bit hard to follow. The action was moving so fast and furious (hey…I get jokes) that there are some times where you can’t really tell who’s fighting with who.
• Elena (Elsa Pataky) who was a big part of Fast 5 is a bit part in Fast 6. Her character is relegated to third wheel in the Dom/Letty storyline.

The Crazy (and this is a good kinda crazy):

• Shaw has these Formula 1 race cars that he’s had modified with plating making them into a weapon. Lots of crazy fun watching him use this to launch cars into buildings. Then there is the technology that he has on-hand that allow him to stay one step ahead of Interpol.
• Hobbs is a beast! And some of the best laughs are with Tej and his jokes in regards to Hobbs.
• The post-credit before the credits but after the main movie ends credit sequence! Questions that have been lingering for a while will FINALLY be answered and you won’t be disappointed. And yes, you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it.

Fast 6 is loaded to the 9’s with action and fast cars; rated PG-13 with a run time of just over two hours (130 minutes) you’ll want to see it again and again and again!