Fast & Furious 6 is an awesome and explosive thrill ride

After the crew walked away with millions of dollars at the end of Fast 5, the team members went their separate ways except for Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker), Elena (Elsa Pataky) and Mia (Jordana Brewster). They all settled down in the Canary Islands with a new baby added to the family.

Dom and Brian are content to put their old life behind them and settle down. Though, that didn’t mean they put away their hot rides and fast driving. That all changes when Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) shows up on their doorstep asking for their help.

Spoiler alert: This article discusses specific details from the film. If you haven’t seen it yet, please stop reading. For review of the movie, check out Cisco Davis, Jr’s Fast and Furious 6 review.

After the initial scene that launched the story, the opening credits are not to be missed. They recounted the Fast & Furious story through a series of clips with the exception of Tokyo Drift which takes place after this film in the series timeline. Even though Brian questioned whether Hobbes was playing a trick on Dom about Letty’s whereabouts, he was going to stand by his friend to the end. Even Mia agreed with their decision to pursue the lead by helping Hobbes. Getting the team back together was easier than it probably should have been, but to play that out fully would have been a drag on the film’s pacing. Instead, it involved guns pulled and Las Vegas buffet vouchers. And, boom! They were back together. For full immunity and pardons, they were willing to go to work with their former pursuer, Hobbes.

After Fast 5, it seemed impossible that the series could up its quality and intensity, but it did just that. Fast & Furious 6 never had a moment that dragged. It moved at a quick pace and even the long fight scenes and car chases remained captivating from beginning to end. Shaw was a formidable, smart, and quite charming adversary. His set-up to draw in the authorities, kill police, and then get away was brilliant. And, the destruction of the building, explosions, and following car chase were an electrifying way to begin the quest to stop Shaw.

As with all of the car chases and fights, there were moves that were a bit ridiculous and unbelievable if overthought, but they all looked good. And, in a thriller like this, that matters more than whether its physically possible or not. The pursuit of the convoy and then the tank provided many of those moments. The most incredible — both implausible and astonishing at the same time — moment was when Letty was flung off the tank, Dom leaped for her, with them both flying through the air, he caught her and they landed safely on another car.

Impossible? Definitely. Awesome? Absolutely!

The fight scenes were also a highlight. In particular, I loved the simultaneous fights in the subway. The girl vs. girl fight between Letty and Riley and then the two-on-one fight of the guys. And, the rematch between Letty and Riley on the plane was an added bonus. The opposing philosophies of the two crews provided a backbone to the conflict. Shaw was goal-oriented and would do whatever he needed in order to get the job done. People were just pieces that could be moved in and out as necessary. He did seem to have some affection for Letty, but even that bond was tenuous. While Dom’s crew was bonded by love and a familial connection, Shaw used that to his advantage and against them when he captured Mia. With her captured, there was no choice but to turn over the chip. In the process, they got Letty back, but Riley was exposed as a traitor. Hobbes showed his humanity when he pulled his gun on the Interpol agents in support of Dom and Brian. He turned his back on the law and at least for that moment joined their family. It was an unexpected, but touching moment.

The final showdown on the runway with the planes and cars was the big action sequence that was difficult to follow at times. In a way, that might be a symptom of not understanding why the pilots didn’t realize they had extra loads earlier and land. For the sake of the story, it worked and was well-done. And, the fight came at the cost of lives. Throughout all the close calls, someone from the family had to die and it was Gisele. Her death though set into motion the next step in the Fast & Furious mythology.

With the chip saved and worth billions, the crew negotiated a new deal. Immunity, pardons, and “1327.” Dom was taking the family back to where it all started … home! The barbecue was a moving send-off. They finally found some peace and until they get called into action again, they can adjust into a “normal” life. Dom with Letty. And, his sister with Brian and baby. That sweet family moment was in direct conflict with what happened to Han. He headed to Tokyo as he planned to do with Gisele. And, to see his story, check out The Fast and the Furious: Toyko Drift. That film takes place following Fast & Furious 7 in the franchise timeline. In that film, Han is killed during a street race.

After the credit roll, an extended scene from Tokyo Drift appeared. It’s revealed that Han was killed by Ian Shaw (Jason Statham). Ian calls up Dom and says, “You don’t know me, but you are about to.” WHOA! And, with that Fast & Furious 7 began.

Despite the few incredulous moments, Fast and Furious 6 was one of the best action movies. It had an actual plot that made sense with the action sequences moving the story along. The re-introduction of Letty was plausible with the connection between the cartel and Shaw. The fight and action sequence choreography was awesome. And, for a film like Fast and the Furious, that can make or break it. Overall, loved it. One word: Outstanding!