Fast cars, storyline make ‘Furious 8’ a big hit (Merecedes' Movie Review April 19)

Merecedes on… Movies

The eighth installment of “The Fast and Furious” film series is out and has broken a box office record as the biggest opening in movie history with $100.2 million in domestic revenue and $532.5 in global revenue!
Fast cars and pure curiosity drove millions of fans to the theater this Easter weekend. I had one question in mind: What’s “The Fast and the Furious” without Paul Walker?
“The Fate of the Furious,” starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, defies the laws of filmmaking in two ways. First, the movie managed to keep its awesomeness even after losing one of its biggest stars. Walker’s unexpected passing in 2013 left a huge void and “Furious 7” (2015) seemed to be the perfect conclusion to the film series. But, even after 16 years and a devastating loss, the movie calmed all fears and suspicions regarding its ability to continue.
The advanced action, elaborate car chases and thick storyline is the reason why “The Fate of the Furious” is the best of the eight movies in the series.
Encompassing rare technology, extreme action and the most elite cars in the world, “The Fate of the Furious” is groundbreaking, and nothing like the other seven movies. But, this film is more than exotic automobiles and fighting scenes; it upholds the truest values of family, loyalty and devotion.
My favorite scene includes a baby in a car seat with no car. You’ll just have to see the movie to develop your own appreciation for this production. The movie even pays a small tribute to Walker towards the end; a great moment to tie everything back together.
You will love the surprise guests, fresh new faces and the old friends who return.
I am so happy for Director F. Gary Gray. The same man who brought us “Friday” (1995), “Set It Off” (1996), and “Straight Outta Compton” (2015) crafted this intense blockbuster. His vision and guidance is evident, and jumps off the big screen.
This is Gray’s first time directing a “Fast and the Furious” film. The only other time an African American person directed a film from this series was John Singleton in 2003’s “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
It’s a daunting uphill battle for the Black filmmakers in Hollywood, and now he holds a crown that most directors will never earn. In addition to the box office record, Gray manages to take the film series to a whole new level.
The only thing the film is missing, sadly, is Walker. Other than that, “The Fate of the Furious” is exceptional and tastefully continues the story of crime-fighting and fast driving.
(Follow Pittsburgh’s own Merecedes J. Howze on Facebook… Merecedes J. Howze – and on Instagram, @moviescenequeen)
 

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