You're a fool to remain in your seat while the end credits of "The Fate of the Furious" roll down the big screen. There won't be an end credits scene, and it's not hard to guess it. This is the eighth installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, so expect this one to go the distance. Universal Pictures would like it, such that the producers might be tempted to think about a Fast and Furious themed park. Universal Studios can expand their lot for this one.
Paul Walker's death gave this franchise a new direction, and don't be surprised if there would be an eleventh or a twelfth (installment). This one is not different from the previous Fast and the Furious pictures, as it relied on the same formula that should guarantee first place in the box office. (Eye-catching cars, eye-catching women, eye-catching locations.) F. Gary Gray, who directed "Straight Outta Compton", was smart to look at other films for references. James Bond fans could fancy the fleeting Walter Mitty moments in this movie, which took the cast (and the audience) to three continents of the world. You don't have to pay thousands of dollars to go to such places.
Dominic Toretto reached the crossroad in the same manner as James Bond did in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969). There was more to life than living by your own rules, but it came at an unexpected way. Cipher, whom Dom knew in his past life, wanted to rule the world. You don't dare messing around with this cyberterrorist, but Dom doesn't really follow orders from anyone. This rule would include extraterrestrials, so don't discount the next Fast and Furious story set beyond the Earth's atmosphere. It may be more electrifying than Sandra Bullock's dramatic return (to Earth) in “Gravity” (2013).
Chris Morgan's screenplay had subtle political digs. Street racing in Havana, middle-school girls performing the haka, British-Kiwi relations during the past decades (or so). Could it allude to Donald Trump's lack of experience in foreign affairs? It seemed to be the case, as Dom and the rest of the gang found themselves in the icy landscape of Siberia. (From Russia, with Love.) Then again, Gray may remind his countrymen about their insular mindset. But they won't have a clue.
The cast of "The Fate of the Furious" was probably the best thing about this latest picture (in the franchise). Older viewers would be delighted to see Kurt Russell in two films this summer. (Marvel fans can't wait to watch him play Ego in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2".) This won't be the first time that Gray would be collaborating with Charlize Theron and Jason Statham. (The trio first worked together in the remake of "The Italian Job".) Theron would be 41 years of age, a dead end for many Hollywood actresses. But the Oscar winner seemed to find continuity playing the villainous roles.
Family would be the main theme of this movie, which could surprise some moviegoers. There were too many cars, including the wrecked ones, even hired men who succumbed by a rain of bullets. These contrasting scenes would remain wholesome if compared to Rob Zombie's penchant for violent killings (in his horror films).
This eighth installment grossed over 100 million dollars in North America, which showed that everything was done according to plan. There won't be any detours, not even a shortcut. After all, Universal believed in this franchise. If you happen to have enough of it, then going to the theater won't be a waste of money. The trailer of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" would be shown ahead, and it seemed to be a blast. On the other hand, the reboot of "The Mummy" signaled doom. This would be the start of Universal's ambitious plan of bringing together some of cinema's iconic monsters. And monster-horror film fans would be curious about the remake of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954). Dom and his team don't want to be left behind, though. Oil and fuel would be thicker than water.
