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Fast and Furious 7 arrived in theaters not just as another installment in a high-octane franchise, but as a poignant farewell and a testament to the enduring power of the Fast And Furious Family. Few films carry the weight of real-world emotion and tragedy quite like this one, making it a truly unique entry in the saga.
Picking up after the explosive events of Fast and Furious 6, Furious 7 throws Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew into a whirlwind of revenge. Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), the vengeful brother of Owen Shaw, emerges from the shadows seeking retribution for his brother’s injuries. His opening line, “Dominic Toretto. You don’t know me, but you’re about to,” immediately sets a tone of personal vendetta and escalating stakes for the fast and furious family.
The film’s commercial success was almost guaranteed; the Fast and Furious franchise had become a global phenomenon. However, the tragic and untimely death of Paul Walker during production imbued Furious 7 with a deeper significance. The film had to serve as both a thrilling action spectacle and a respectful farewell. Thankfully, Fast and Furious 7 managed to strike this delicate balance, delivering on the expected adrenaline while honoring the legacy of a beloved member of the fast and furious family.
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For longtime fans, Fast and Furious 7 provides exactly what they crave: over-the-top action sequences and a healthy dose of escapism. Think of it as Top Gear amplified to eleven, injecting pure, unadulterated spectacle into every scene. Whether you’re drawn to the glamorous locations or the hilariously improbable stunts, the franchise has carved out its niche. Gone are the days of simple street races; the series has evolved into a global heist operation, echoing the intricate planning and ensemble cast dynamics of films like Ocean’s Eleven, but with cars dropping from airplanes and defying gravity on a skyscraper scale.
The trailers wisely kept many of the film’s most outrageous moments under wraps, preserving the shock and awe for the cinema experience. Witnessing cars parachuting from the sky to ambush an armored convoy, or Dom driving a Lykan Hypersport through the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, is part of the pure, unadulterated fun of the fast and furious family experience. Realism takes a backseat to entertainment, and in this franchise, that’s precisely the point.
“The thing about street fights… the street always wins.” – Dominic Toretto
Beyond the action, Fast and Furious 7 subtly revisits the core themes that have always underpinned the franchise. The film delves deeper into Dom’s relationship with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), who continues to grapple with amnesia. Dom’s efforts to rekindle their past and remind her of their bond highlight the enduring strength of their connection within the fast and furious family. This focus on personal relationships provides an emotional anchor amidst the escalating chaos.
However, the film is undeniably shadowed by loss. This manifests in two distinct ways.
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Firstly, the narrative itself revolves around Dom’s relentless drive to protect his fast and furious family from the relentless threat of Deckard Shaw. Their confrontations are raw and primal, driven by the shared principle of family loyalty, albeit from opposing sides. While the film touches on this thematic mirroring, exploring it further could have added another layer of depth to their conflict.
Secondly, and more profoundly, is the unavoidable presence of Paul Walker’s absence. The film subtly navigates this delicate situation, employing a combination of existing footage, body doubles (including his brothers), and CGI to complete Brian O’Conner’s story. While some scenes understandably feel different, the filmmakers prioritized honoring Walker’s legacy. His screen time is thoughtfully managed, allowing other characters to step into the spotlight while still ensuring Brian remains a vital part of the fast and furious family narrative.
Ultimately, the Fast and Furious crew chose to celebrate their friend, and the film’s ending serves as a beautiful and moving tribute. Vin Diesel’s closing voiceover transcends the character of Dom Toretto, becoming a personal eulogy for Paul Walker, acknowledging the profound loss felt by the cast, crew, and fans alike. The ending breaks the fourth wall, transforming Fast and Furious 7 into a heartfelt commemoration of a key member of their real and cinematic fast and furious family.
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It’s perfectly understandable if the film’s conclusion evokes tears or a lump in the throat.
“Daddy’s gotta go to work.” – Hobbs
Naturally, one can’t help but ponder what Fast and Furious 7 would have been like had Paul Walker been with them throughout the entire production.
The plot, compared to previous installments, feels somewhat fragmented, jumping between storylines. This is an understandable consequence of the necessary rewrites and adjustments made after Walker’s passing.
Despite being heavily promoted, Deckard Shaw’s presence in the film feels somewhat uneven. He’s built up as a formidable antagonist, but his appearances are often fleeting and almost spectral, leaving questions about his methods and motivations. His alliance with Jakande (Djimon Hounsou), a vaguely defined dictator, feels underdeveloped, diluting the personal revenge narrative.
This revenge plotline gets somewhat overshadowed by the introduction of Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), a hacker in possession of the “God’s Eye” software. Recruited by Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell), Dom and his crew are tasked with retrieving Ramsey and preventing the software from falling into the wrong hands. This new objective, while action-packed, diverts attention from the initial Shaw conflict.
The absence of Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) for a significant portion of the film is also noticeable. His larger-than-life presence was a key ingredient in the success of Fast Five and Fast and Furious 6. However, when Hobbs does return, his scene-stealing moments, like delivering a “Rock Bottom” to Deckard Shaw, provide welcome bursts of comedic relief and over-the-top action.
The film’s climax, while undeniably epic, pushes the boundaries of believability even for this franchise. The level of destruction unleashed upon a city by Jakande’s forces strains credulity, even within the context of the Fast and Furious universe.
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“Thought you could leave without saying goodbye?” – Brian
While Fast and Furious 7 achieves its primary goal of entertaining and honoring Paul Walker, it doesn’t quite reach the narrative heights of Fast Five. Fast Five arguably struck a better balance between action, suspense, character dynamics, and humor.
Nevertheless, Fast and Furious 7 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise. It delivers the expected thrills and action while carrying a profound emotional weight, solidifying the importance of fast and furious family both on and off screen. The film is a fitting, if bittersweet, chapter in the saga, reminding us that family, in all its forms, is truly forever.
