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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Fast & Furious 9 (2021) in Movies

Jun 23, 2021

Fast & Furious 9 (2021)

2021 | Action, Adventure, Crime

6.6

(16 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

F9 The Fast Saga Does Not Offer Anything New But Serves Up An Abundance Of High-Octane; Over The Top Action

After being delayed from a summer 2020 release by the Pandemic; Universal has released the latest film in the Fast and The Furious franchise to fans eager for some adrenaline-fueled summer action.

“F9 The Fast Saga” has done well in the few countries it has already been released, and has raced to a nearly $300 million total which the industry hopes is a signal that people are ready to return to cinemas in numbers again and that the film will take off when it opens in the U.S. and other markets.

The film opens with a flashback to the 1980s where young Dominic and his brother experience an event that changes their lives and drives a wedge between them. Moving forward to the present day, Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), are living in seclusion with Dom’s son.

When the crew shows up unexpectedly with a mission from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell); who has gone missing, the crew venture out to retrieve a missing device which in turn puts them directly in the path with nefarious individuals and a ghost from Dom’s past.

As anyone who has watched any films in the series knows; the plots are often thin and a bit absurd as they serve simply as a device for the cast to assemble and chase a McGuffin to save the day. In doing so; the audience knows there will be an abundance of fists, bullets, cars, crashes, and outrageous stunts along the way.

While reality and credibility are not words associated with the franchise, the cast eagerly plays along with the absurdity, action, and mayhem and gives fans what they want. While the middle portion dragged while the audience was given more of the setup and introduced to cast members old and new; the action sequences are the over-the-top show stoppers which have become a staple of the franchise.

Director Justin Lin knows this and his return to the franchise does not attempt to invoke any new wrinkles and gives fans what they expect. The large ensemble works well with one another and John Cena is a very interesting addition to the cast.

Audiences will want to make sure to stay seated for a bonus scene that sets up the next film or spin-off very well and opens up some very interesting possibilities.

In the end “F9 The Fast Saga” gives audiences a dose of high-octane adrenaline and a return to no-brainer over the top action when it is needed the most. Check your brain at the door, strap in, and enjoy the ride.

3.5 stars out of 5

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Despicable Me 3 (2017) in Movies

Jul 11, 2019

Despicable Me 3 (2017)

2017 | Animation, Comedy

7.1

(85 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Universal Pictures new release Despicable ME 3 stars Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, and brings back Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Nev Scharrel as Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Of course, there must be Minions, as well!

In this third installment of the animated series, Gru (Carell) and Lucy (Wiig) are fired from the Anti-Villain League for letting Balthazar Bratt (Parker) slip away, and embark on an adventure of trying to figure out “what’s next” in their lives.

In the midst of his employment dilemma, Gru discovers he has a long-lost twin brother Dru (also voiced by Carell), and takes the family off to see him in Fredonia. There, he discovers that his brother and his father have a successful pig-farming business, and appear to be quite wealthy. Lucy and the girls are immediately enamored of Dru, but Gru is not so easily won over, especially when he becomes jealous of his brothers luxurious hair.

Dru reveals that the family empire is built not just on the fruits of the pig empire, but also on their fathers’ secret villainy, and tells Gru that he was their dads’ biggest disappointment. Dru wants Gru to teach him how to be a super-villain, as he has always aspired to follow Gru’s footsteps.

While Dru and Gru set off to find and recover the giant diamond stolen by Balthazar Bratt, Lucy follows the girls around Fredonia.

The movie is full of 80’s tunes, brought on by the premise that Bratt is a failed 80’s child star.

The minions have less of a presence in this film, but when they are onscreen, they do provide the usual laughs we would associate with them. The best Minion scene is likely the musical number in prison.

I found the Balthazar Bratt character impossibly annoying, although I do acknowledge that that may have been “the point”. I found myself dreading his next interaction within the movie.

Despite that, I thought the movie flowed well, and I especially enjoyed the development of the relationships between Lucy and Margo, Edith and Agnes. Lucy’s “momma bear” moments made me smile.

My 8 year old son liked the movie a lot, and said his favorite parts were the bubble-gum weapon of the villain, and the new car that Dru and Gru use for their escapades. He especially liked that the end of the film left open the possibility of yet another installment of the Despicable Me series.

The child gives the movie 4 out of 5 stars, I myself would give it 3.5 out of 5, as I couldn’t quite get past the annoyance of the Bratt character, but besides that, overall, found it enjoyable.