Fast X

Original title:	Fast X
Director:	Louis Leterrier
Release:	Cinema
Running time:	141 minutes
Release date:	19 may 2023
Rating:

After many missions and against all odds, Dom Toretto and his family have managed to outwit, outplay and outlast every adversary who has crossed their path. Now they face their most terrifying and intimate enemy: emerging from the mists of the past, this revenge-hungry revenant is determined to decimate the family by destroying everything Dom has ever held dear. In 2011's Fast & Furious 5, Dom and his team brought down infamous Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes, hurling his empire off a Rio De Janeiro bridge. Little did they know that his son, Dante, had watched helplessly, and had spent the last twelve years hatching the diabolical plan that would exact the ultimate price from Dom. Dante will hunt down Dom and his family in every corner of the globe, from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Antarctica to Portugal. New alliances are forged and old enemies reappear. But everything changes when Dom realizes that Dante's main target is none other than his 8-year-old son.

Mulder's Review

Since 2001, the Fast & Furious saga has established itself as a highly popular cinematic saga of action films centered on the themes of street racing, heists and high-octane action. This tenth installment, which hints at being one of the last three films in the saga, has certainly made its mark, not only with an insane budget of $340 million (almost as much as Avengers Endgame (2019)), but also with an impressive cast featuring new characters such as Brie Larson, Rita Moreno and above all Jason Momoa, and even more spectacular action scenes. The willingness of the producers and, above all, Vin Diesel to listen to their audience once again paid off, even if the film didn't meet with the success it deserved in the USA, whereas it's already triumphant and almost profitable worldwide.

Over the course of numerous missions and against all odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outwitted, outmaneuvered and defeated every enemy in their path. Now, they're faced with the most dangerous and ferocious adversary they've ever faced: a terrifying threat from the shadows of the past, fueled by a bloody vengeance and determined to shatter this family and destroy everything Dom loves - and everyone he loves - forever. The film's action will take place in the USA (Los Angeles), Italy (Rome), England (London), Antarctica and Portugal, dividing Dominic Toretto's team to face Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), a dangerous psychopath in the vein of The Dark Knight's Joker. This son of drug lord Hernan Reyes seeks revenge for the death of his father and the loss of the family fortune in Fast Five (2011).

Even if Fast & Furious X (Fast X) doesn't shine for its screenplay, it still delivers on all the elements that have made this beloved film saga such a success. The franchise is renowned for its emphasis on fast, exotic cars. The films feature an array of high-performance vehicles, customized cars and intense racing scenes that showcase the speed and power of these cars. This new chapter features two prototypes (Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept (2024), DeLorean Alpha5) as well as various types of car, including the Alfa Romeo 159, Charger R/T 1970, Chevrolet Impala and Elliot, Datsun 240Z, Dodge Chargers (Daytona SRT, R/T TorRed (2022), SRT Hellcat Redeye (2023)), Lamborghini Gallardo, Mazda RX-7 FD Fortune orange and black Veilside, Nissan Silvia and Porsche 911 997 GT3 RS. The result is a series of more or less realistic, high-octane chases. These include thrilling car chases and daring stunts. The intense fight scenes often push the limits of realism, as in previous films, but the fun comes out on top and undoubtedly explains the worldwide success.

If Fast X succeeds in convincing us once again, it's also thanks to its cast of recurring characters, who form a close-knit group of pilots and skilled agents. Over the course of the saga, the characters evolve and develop complex relationships with each other. This is once again the case here, and we're delighted to welcome back to the cast, around Vin Diesel, actors from previous installments Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron and also cameo appearances by Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot. One of the franchise's central themes is the importance of family. The characters often see themselves as a family, and their loyalty and mutual support is emphasized throughout the series. This theme again plays an important role in this film, particularly as Dominic Toretto must do everything in his power to protect his son.

As the saga progresses, the films become increasingly extravagant in their action scenes and stunts. The franchise is known for pushing the limits of realism and offering audiences a top-notch spectacle. This is once again the case here, with some scenes that defy weightlessness. Similarly, the theme of redemption plays an important role, notably when Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), who has been taken prisoner, is forced to team up with Cipher (Charlize Theron) to escape from a secret base in the middle of Antarctica.

The Fast & Furious saga is known for its continuity and interconnected plots. Characters and events from previous films often reappear or are mentioned in subsequent installments, creating a shared universe. This new film, however, has an important distinction from its predecessors in that it is conceived as part of a final trilogy, which explains the excellent cliffhanger at the end of the film, leaving Dominique and his team unable to stop Dante Reyes and finding themselves in dangerous situations. The return to the saga of Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson (rumored to be estranged from Vin Diesel) heralds an equally effective film to come. The return of these two actors may also be seen as a response to the fact that their last DC Entertainment films, Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Adam, didn't do so well at the box office.

Certainly, even if the Fast & Furious film saga comes to an end, we're not about to see this universe disappear, so much so that the derivative products and merchandise of all kinds have made it one of the most successful and recognizable action franchises of recent years, alongside those of Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Mission Impossible and James Bond? We're really looking forward to the next instalment, and we're hoping for a great avant-première with casting in Paris, and above all open to the online press, especially as the influencers Universal Pictures invite to all their events are hardly productive in relaying their content on their films, to the detriment of the online press and our audience, who eagerly await our reviews, videos and photos of the events we cover with great pleasure.

Fast X
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Screenplay by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin
Story by Dan Mazeau, Justin Lin, Zach Dean
Based on Characters by Gary Scott Thompson
Produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Samantha Vincent
Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot
Cinematography : Stephen F. Windon
Edited by Dylan Highsmithn Kelly Matsumoton Laura Yanovichn Corbin Mehl
Music by Brian Tyler
Production companies: Universal Pictures[, Original Film, One Race Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, Perfect Storm Entertainment
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : May 12, 2023 (Rome), May 17, 2023 (France), May 19, 2023 (United States)
Running time : 141 minutes

Seen May 29, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, IMAX Room

Mulder's Mark: