STORY: Dominic (Diesel), Brian (Walker), Letty (Rodriguez) Roman (Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) are approached by Frank (Russell) to acquire a device called ‘God’s Eye’ designed by a hacker, Ramsey (Emmanuel). This is a backdrop for the real confrontation – Deckard Shaw (Statham) who seeks revenge from Dominic for the death of his younger brother. From the US to Azerbaijan, then Dubai and back to LA, the fight is, indeed, both fast and furious.
REVIEW: Amazing stunts aside, James Wan (Insidious 2, The Conjuring) probably faced two big challenges when making this film. The first, crafting a movie that glorifies insanely reckless driving while also being sensitive to the fact that one of the leads (in a sad irony) died in a reckless sports car crash. Secondly, making a seamless film given the fact that Paul Walker – a name synonymous with this series – is no more. In both cases, he hits the sweet spot.
The plot of this film is just an excuse for some of the best car chase/action scenes recently seen on screen. You get a taste of what’s to come in the beginning, when Shaw and Dom, much like two testosterone-fuelled bulls, ram their cars into each other head-on. No one backs away; no one bats an eyelid. They then step out of their mangled
metal steeds and almost come to blows before Dom is rescued by Frank, who calls himself ‘Mr Nobody’. A deal is struck: Dom and his crew will help Frank nab the terrorist Jakande (Hounsou, with some ridiculous lines) and the ‘God’s Eye’ device and in return, Dom can use the device to locate Shaw. Ludacris is spot-on as the jester, whose cringing caution is a great counterfoil to the rampant machismo on display. The Rock packs some serious weaponry.
Furious 7 has a humane angle. The touching tribute to Walker puts the entire series into perspective and will make many eyes teary. The film’s flaws suddenly vanish when you realise that if there is another film in this series, it just wouldn’t be the same. RIP Paul.