F9: THE FAST SAGA (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

F9: The Fast Saga—not as good as the previous three films—still consistently holds the expected story and serves action fans well. Casting did a great job of choosing John Cena as Dominic’s younger brother. Neither actor overshadows the other and the power balance is preserved. Good choice to move forward in future releases. A dip into Dominic Toretto's past in the introduction into the story is well done, but after that it seems almost run-of-the-mill until it gains pace as John Cena comes into the picture. The movie has a great conclusion and has already prepared the audience for Fast X  in the  mid-credit scene at the end of the movie. Good watch that revolves around family events in a racing world. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action drama film is about: Dominic and crew are on a mission to save Mr. Nobody. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Justin Lin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeffrey Kirshchenbaum, Joe Roth, Clayton Townsend, and Samantha Vincent for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, and Charlize Theron. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. For Fast and Furious fans, this movie provides some background to Dominic’s family story to include his father and his brother. The movie earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Fate of the Furious—almost as good as Furious 7—is making this series a better series going forward with its great storyline and presentation. WOW! What a concept! This movie makes a terrific choice casting Charlize Theron as a ruthless terrorist. She plays that character very well. The movie creates tremendous anticipation for F9: The Fast Saga which is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime as of the writing of this critique. Hopefully, the next film will live up to the last two films, both 7 and 8. Know there is a spinoff movie just for characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw played by Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, titled Hobbs and Shaw. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Dominic becomes involved with loan sharks, cyberterrorists, and other criminals who make his life as difficult as they can. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director F. Gary Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Michael Fottrell, Chris Morgan for making the film possible. Cast includes Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludicris, Charlize Theron, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Luke Evans, Elsa Pataky, Kristopher Hivju, Scott Eastwood, and Patrick St. Esprit. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. There is a new standard to the series that is noticeable…a move more to the lawful side of life and more stability in lifestyle. This movie builds anticipation for F9: The Fast Saga and Fast X. WOW! Fate of the Furious easily earns its watch with great acting and presentation. The movie makes a good addition to the home video library. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

 

Ben Meyers

FAST & FURIOUS 6 (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Fast & Furious 6 sequels movies 4 and 5 and prequels 3 in its mid-credit scene. The mid-credit scene introduces a new character to the series. While the presentation is good and the acting great, this movie does not have the likableness of the previous movies in this series.  It still receives a higher rating based on the acting and presentation of storyline. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action film is about street racers who get into trouble with the law, flee to countries outside the United States, and are given an assignment as a team to bring a criminal to justice in exchange for amnesty. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Justin Lin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, and Clayton Townsend for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Sung Kang, Luke Evans, Gina Carano, and John Ortiz. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie with its great acting and good storyline serves as a good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

AVATAR (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avatar, the imaginative culture and the world this culture inhabits, is vibrant with color. The movie touches the emotions at repeatedly high levels throughout the film. The acting and voicing are very good. At times, one forgets that one is watching a ‘motion capture’ movie. The writing is solid and blurs the lines that separate reality from fiction. Enjoy Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the cast in this audience-captivating movie.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man is assigned to serve on a planet inhabited by native flora and fauna highly deadly to human survival. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James Cameron and Jon Landau for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie has spectacular special effects that use color well. It works on an epic scale. While the basic storyline could use improvement, there is no denying the outstanding use of color, the originality of the movie’s special effects, and the creativity of the culture and its environment. It earns its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers