FAST 8 makes a mark
Bakang Israel | Friday April 21, 2017 17:15
This global icon movie charged into theatres like a raging bull breaking long-standing records. Information reaching yours truly is that, according to new Capitol Cinemas, the Fast 8 movie did more than exceptional as it was sold out locally for an entire five days from April 13-17 as one had to double their efforts to get a glimpse. This was something unusual as usually Masa Theatre is the one that is renowned for limited space.
However this time even bigger theaters like Game City and Riverwalk found themselves short of seats due to huge turnouts. Fate of The Furious becomes the eighth installment of the Fast and Furious global movement franchise that began in 2001. The film has grown over the years beyond leaps and bounds exciting its growing fan base with street racing, exhilarating stunts as well as car customisation and lately additions of leading Hollywood star names.
This time around the production team brought a new retcon story that has no Paul Walker after the late star’s sudden tragic death in 2013 during filming of Fast 7. This facilitated a dramatic plot shift. Fast 8 tames hordes of enthusiasts with this intriguing plot “Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game and the rest of the crew has been exonerated, the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life.
But when a mysterious woman (Oscar winner Charlize Theron) seduces Dom into the world of crime he can’t seem to escape and a betrayal of those closest to him, they must face trials that will test them as never before. From the shores of Cuba and the streets of New York City to the icy plains off the arctic Barents Sea, our elite force will crisscross the globe to stop an anarchist from unleashing chaos on the world’s stage and to bring home the man who made them all family”.
The film explodes into theatres leaving behind a trail of cutting edge fascination due to the fact that it is made up of seasoned cast actors from infectious blockbusters like Transformers, Hercules, Mad Max: Fury Road, Riddick, Game of Thrones and Resident Evil amongst others.
Action
A film that commands a huge $250 million production budget often leads to certain levels of expectations, and it seems prayers of fanatics were met as the franchise made strides to make another coup adding impressive Oscar Award winning actress Theron to its rich list of stars. After joining forces with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in Fast 5 & 6, the South African star Charlize Theron joins the movement as a female fatale (antagonist) who is hell bent on destruction.
She plays the role well and matches other female villains like Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Angelina Jolie’s role in Maleficent. It was very soothing also bearing in mind that Charlize Theron is not new to this rebellion act having captivated masses in the 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road and Snow white and the Huntsmen. So enthusiasts could associate with her Fast 8 role and milk fun from it.
The other catalyst from the movie is the element of cinematography and setting, one thing about Fast and Furious movies is that they are always colourful mainly because of the exotic shooting locations and the lavish fast cars used in the movies. In the initial 2001 film it enthralled with street racing in the streets of LA, before taking the action to Miami, Tokyo, Rio de Jenairo, London and most recently, New York.
So every time one watches a Fast and Furious film they are sure to refresh their minds with exquisite sites. Still on that subject matter, the cars are sexier and faster. In Fate of the Furious there are Bugattis, Lamborghinis and Dodge Charger that fulfill the trademark cars (turners, imports and muscles) that have featured in all Fast films. It is the sound of horsepower and torque from the nitrous oxide and accelerations from these hot rides that gets metal heads and adrenalin junkies worshiping this franchise which also gives fanatics ideas on how to pimp their rides.
The much anticipated film since 2015, did not disappoint as it caters for action maniacs with some pretty intense violence. If you have Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in one movie, it is bound to get nasty. The two action lords thrill the audience with some jaw-dropping knuckle punching action and precise shooting as they give the masses more violence. For instance, there comes a point in the movie that the two foes need a barricade to restrain their strengths.
Supplementary to that, Fast 8 is well orchestrated with good stunts as villain Cipher uses high tech weapons and gadgets that can unlock any defence system. Meanwhile on a somber note, the notable difference is the absence of Brian and Mia (Jordana Brawster) from this epic because the latter could not cope with her role without the late star.
The other catalyst about this latest film is that there is never a dull moment, as it has a good element of surprise and mystique. Director F. Gary Gary had enthusiasts lost for words as the movie took a huge dramatic twist bigger than Titanic’s collision with ice, as Dominic Toretto’s past comes back to bite in epic fashion causing the protagonist to turn on his folks and dance to the wicked Cipher (blondie)’s commands.
Not only that but the film is quite hypnotic as well. This is where the director’s midas touch came to the party. Hip hop movie Straight Outta Compton crafter F. Gary Gary laid down some rude humour on this thriller as Roman Pierce acted a fool as usual serenading viewers.
Yet however it was The Rock Dwayne Johnson who left many with broken ribs after cracking their ribs wide open with this one provoking Deckyard Shaw (Statham) to a fight. “I will punch you and knock your teeth far down in you that you’d have to stick a toothbrush down yah a**s to brush them.” Though the movie is fiction most part, it has some cringing messages disguised through the high octane action. This one embraces the notion that no matter what, family will never turn their back on one of their own.
Reception
According to box office figures, Fate of The Furious carved its name in history not only by causing a frenzy locally but because that contributed towards a global revolution as this blockbuster earned a staggering worldwide gross of $532 million in its premiere weekend.
It snatched the baton from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the movie that previously held that record with impressive first weekend reception record sales of $529 million. Plans for sequels being Fast and Furious ninth and 10th films have been set for release on April 19, 2019, and April 2, 2021.
Its predecessor raked in a worldwide gross of $1.516 billion, which clearly are bound to be surpassed by Charlize Theron and her evil deeds.
Movie: The Fate Of The Furious
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Duration: 2 hr 16mins
Age Restriction: PG 13
Release Date: April 14, 2017
Director: F. Gary Gary
Main Stars: Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron, Mitchel Rodriguez
Top five movies in the world this week.
l Fate Of The Furious
l The Boss Baby
l Beauty and the Beast
l Ghost in the Shell
l Going in Style
Ratings
A very captivating and new twist in the storyline of Fast and Furious left many in awe. 8.5/10.