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

FURIOUS 7 (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Furious 7—WOW!—encapsulates everything we know and love about this series  The Fast and Furious spirit is back in a furious way. Everything in this movie—the action, acting, special effects, presentation, and story—works. The movie surpasses all expectations of what this franchise can provide. Watch for good performance by Jason Statham and look for the cameo of Lucas Black in this movie. This is one film that is a Winner from the word go. This film has some suggestive themes and/or partial nudity. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two criminals receive pardons and have re-settled in the United States but their criminal past catches up with them and they find themselves battling for their lives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Wan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal Moritz, Vin Diesel, and Michael Fottrell for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson, Lucas Black, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Gal Gadot, John Brotherton, 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a great watch for Fast and Furious fans. No disappointment here. The film is great from the word go.   

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FAST FIVE (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Fast Five—neck-breaking, original, and fresh stunt work—defies biology and physics laws to deliver an action-packed eyeful of incredible movie entertainment. This film, part five of the Fast and Furious franchise, does not miss a drumbeat in entertainment value for the audience who loves outstanding stunt work and original action scenes.  The story is fresh and highly entertaining. The movie delivers fully for audiences who love action films. It is more than worth watching with a great presentation. WOW! 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action film is about a group of thieves who target a drug dealer’s wealth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Justin Lin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Noritz, Vin Diesel, and Michael Fortrell for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Dwayne Johnson, and Joaquim de Almeida. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie runs fast, requires attention to watch, and presents some terrific action scenes between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel. This is part 5 of the Fast and Furious movie series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK* (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Chronicles of Riddick—almost works as a cult classic—has Vin Diesel and his supporting cast working at the same level of quality as in the first film in the series.  The movie is what it is…somewhat entertaining…and allows a continuation of Riddick’s story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Riddick is a fugitive and tries to stay alive while establishing some kind of life. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director David Twohy for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Vin Diesel and Scott Kroopf for making film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Keith David, Thandiwe Newton, Alexa Davalos, Judi Dench, Linus Roache, Nick Chinlund, and Yorick van Wageningen, and Karl Urban. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is…not great but the kind of a film that one goes to see because it is ‘kind of entertaining’ despite its lame presentation, storyline, and general ‘bad-ness’ or maybe just to see Vin Diesel.

*Also Known as Riddick 2: Günlükler 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II—inspired fun—writes its story with terrific creativity and becomes one of the best film releases of 2017.  The movie’s borders are boundless and could easily, due to the heavily defined characterizations, become a long running television series on par with Star Wars. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II serves up 137 minutes of great entertainment for the Teen/Adult audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) father, Ego (Kurt Russell), reveals himself and Peter discovers the cause of his mother’s death.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director James Gunn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Nikolas Korda, Stan Lee, and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Baby Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper), Yondu (Michael Rooker), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), Ego (Kurt Russell), and Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie does not equal the entertainment quality of Guardians of the Galaxy, but it comes in a very close second to that film’s entertainment value. Introductory scenes are particularly outstanding with special effects, costuming, make-up artistry, background scenery, and casting consistently presenting fresh visuals that harmonize quite pleasingly.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

xXx (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

xXx—one of the best 2002 action flicks—stars Vin Diesel in one of his top performances. The movie did well at box office and created two sequels, xXx State of the Union and xXx The Return of Xander Cage, with a 2017 announcement of a fourth sequel. There are some very good, original stunts that mark this film as outstanding; some nudity places it more in the late teen to adult range. It’s a quality action film, well worth watching.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) is recruited to retrieve a biochemical weapon from a Russian terrorist group.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Rob Cohen for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Vin Diesel, Todd Garner, Arne Schmidt, and George Zakk for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Yelena (Asia Argento), Yorgi (Marton Csokas), Agent Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), Mila Sova (Richy Müller), Kirill (Werner Daehn), Kolya (Petr Jákl), Viktor (Jan Filipenský),  Senator Dick Hotchkiss (Tom Everett), El Jefe (Danny Trejo), Agent Jim McGrath (Thomas Ian Griffith), and J.J. (Eve).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s one of Vin Diesel’s best action flicks. Don’t miss it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers