The first wave of Fast X reviews have come rolling in, so now seems a good a time as any to remind everyone that the Fast & Furious films have reached a point where they transcend traditional film criticism; that’s not to say they get a free pass on critique or anything of the sort, but the fact of the matter is that trying to approach these movies the way you would any other movie will only stagnate your process and overall ability to think. Indeed, as soon as you sit down, you’re in Vin Diesel’s world, and you just have to accept it.
The question, then, becomes why we’re even bothering to review these movies anymore. Everyone pretty much knew from the start what to expect with Fast X (at least, most of us did); a capstone-worthy two or so hours of impossibly off-the-chain motor stunts, outlandish plotting, and, of course, bringing the family together. So, is it any surprise that most of the reviews more or less confirmed these suspicions without really offering any notable new insight into the franchise’s cinematic merits or lack thereof? No, not at all.
James Preston Poole of DiscussingFilm called the existence of Fast X a “miracle,” also suggesting that it’s the gold standard for any movie seeking to occupy whatever territory the Fast franchise has carved out for itself.
“Fast X is big dumb fun in its purest form, an example of a troubled production turning into a diamond under pressure. Guilty or not, there’s no mistaking the pleasure at the center of Fast X.”
Variety‘s Peter Debruge praised Jason Momoa, but otherwise called Fast X “overcrowded” and “predictably ridiculous”; two traits that aren’t exactly negative in the context of Fast X, regardless of how they were actually intended.
“While Hollywood’s highest-octane franchise shows no signs of slowing, it was crazy reckless to give the green light to such a clunker.”
And IGN‘s Tom Jorgenson, who gave Fast X five out of a possible 10 points, echoed the sentiment surrounding Momoa’s Rushmore-worthy turn as villain Dante Reyes, but was left otherwise unimpressed.
“There’s still time for the Fast franchise to cross the finish line in first, but this flat tire of a “part one” will make the last lap a nailbiter.”
Fast X will release to theaters on May 19.
