
The Fast and the Furious series has been around for almost 20 years – that’s nothing to scoff at. After establishing itself as a reputable cinematic force, the franchise finally decided to branch out into a spin-off, giving two recent favourites their own film.
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham return to play Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in Hobbs & Shaw, and the duo are tasked with taking down former MI6 agent turned rogue criminal and terrorist Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), who is plotting to unleash a deadly virus that would have devastating consequences for the human race.
Deckard’s sister, MI6 field agent Hattie Shaw (played by Vanessa Kirby), gets mixed up in the situation, obtaining the virus and ending up on the run from Brixton, with Hobbs and Shaw tasked with protecting her and getting the virus into the right hands. Doesn’t really sound like a movie about cars, right?
It’s not really. Hobbs & Shaw places more focus on amazing fight choreography, which is on-point from the get-go. The work put into these scenes shows that the team behind the film really want it to stand on its own, and possibly even become its own series. The action is fast-paced and thrilling, but not so overbearing that it sucks all the story from the film.
With that said, Hobbs & Shaw does still showcase beautiful, powerful vehicles, even if most of them are destroyed within a few minutes of appearing on-screen.
The visual effects and stunt work here are top notch, with Brixton coming across like some sort of evil Iron Man/Superman hybrid, with all the power and tech to match. While some tech and action sequences come across as a bit far-fetched at times, its in-line with what we’ve seen previously from The Fast and the Furious.
The film finds an interest blend between spy film and action blockbuster, injected just enough humour to keep it light-hearted and grounded, with welcome cameos from Ryan Reynolds (the film’s MVP), Kevin Hart and more, while a slew of other familiar faces pop up, including Fear the Walking Dead’s Cliff Curtis, Helen Mirren and more.
Johnson and Statham play off each other well, with enough chemistry to potentially see more films to follow, something many audience members would welcome following the franchise’s first spin-off film.
Hobbs & Shaw stands tall and presents a film that will impress newcomers and long-time fans.
Hobbs & Shaw is in cinemas now.