Fast and Furious 7

The seventh film in the high-energy, high-octane series, Fast and Furious 7 gives the audience more of the same, using the formula that has made them so popular: testosterone-fuelled cars, shots of scantily-clad women, plenty of explosions, and a mission of some sort that ties the story together. Though declared as the “one last ride” of the series, the audience knows deep down in their wallets that this just isn’t true.

This film does aim to give the audience something more than the standard “cars, landscape, boom!” With the help of a mysterious stranger, the team are invited to catch master-of-weapons British baddie Ian Shaw (Jason Statham). Between the CGI explosions and slightly overused 360-degree shots, there isn’t a great deal of difference from the first six offerings, emphasised by the director’s use of flashbacks and frequent references to the previous films.

The one truly unique moment in this film comes at the very end, where a very touching tribute is paid to the late Paul Walker, who played Brian O’Conner in the series. Flashbacks of his role within the franchise are played against a scene of Vin Diesel, driving alongside what looks like a CGI version of Walker’s character. The sentiment is felt strongly by fans, if sniffles in the audience are anything to go by.

Overall, though this does seem like just another frat-boy film, it does leave the viewer thoroughly entertained. Does there need to be another one in the series? Definitely not! If it were to end here – now that loose ends in the plot have been tied up, and especially after the fitting tribute to Walker – it would be a nice way of wrapping up the story. However, realistically, a lot more can be expected from this popular muscle-car series.

Amaliah Sara Marmon-Halm

Fast and Furious 7 is released nationwide on 3^rd April 2015.

Watch the trailer for Fast and Furious 7 here: