Greatest & Worst Fast and Furious Film After Fast X

We’re about to get our tenth film within the Fast & Furious franchise — eleventh if you happen to rely Hobbs & Shaw. For higher or worse, the long-running franchise continues to dominate the field workplace charts and delight audiences with its outrageous stunts, loopy motion, and strict devotion to household. With so many chapters within the Fast Saga, we determined to have a look and see the place the films stand earlier than Fast X hits theaters. Listed here are the Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked from worst to greatest.

10. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

The large success of The Fast and the Furious shocked everybody in Hollywood, leaving executives scrambling for a sequel. Surprisingly, Vin Diesel declined the chance to reprise his position as Dom, which led to Paul Walker and director John Singleton taking on the franchise. Whereas we are able to solely speculate about how Dom v Brian Half II would have turned out in 2003, it’s broadly acknowledged that 2 Fast 2 Furious was an enormous disappointment. Regardless of a strong forged that includes Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser, and the charming Eva Mendes, this clumsy sequel pushes Brian to the forefront with a nonsensical plot centered round a drug lord in Miami.

The dearth of considerate writing is clear. Nevertheless, the opening sequence is visually spectacular, and the movie has a vibrant coloration palette. Sometimes, you’ll be able to sense a faint pulse from the engine. Nonetheless, this lifeless sequel depends closely on acquainted tropes and fails to seize the infectious power of its predecessor, which is why it’s final in our listing of the Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked.

9. The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Charlize Theron crashes into the Fast and Furious universe and almost wrecks the goodwill she earned from Mad Max: Fury Highway. The Fate of the Furious is so dumb that it made me initially skip F9. Through the climax, our heroes tackle a submarine with their automobiles. Let’s say my suspension of disbelief hit the brakes arduous.

However maintain on tight; there’s a jaw-dropping twist! Dom turns to the darkish aspect as a result of Theron’s dreadlocks sporting cyber-terrorist took his child. When did our resident robust man flip so mushy? We’re removed from the streets of LA, the place he virtually shot Brian in chilly blood for being a cop or when he took on a drug kingpin for revenge. Our hero now talks endlessly about household and shows superhuman skills. His crew executes exact maneuvers like a top-notch army unit. Ought to we even care?

Amidst the insanity, there are exhilarating motion sequences that shine, expertly orchestrated by director F. Gary Grey. But, an undercurrent of desperation permeates the extreme chaos. Whereas embracing the Fast Saga calls for a sure mindset, Destiny of the Livid treads dangerously near Batman and Robin ranges of absurdity that might sink any franchise. It’s actually entertaining in spades, however it could be time for everybody concerned to contemplate reining within the madness.

That scene the place Shaw saves Dom’s child — oof.

8. F9 (2021)

At this level within the Fast Saga, there’s nothing new we haven’t seen 1,000,000 instances earlier than. I’ve additionally grown to simply accept that the franchise isn’t taking a U-turn and heading again to its crime drama roots. Dom’s crew are motion heroes who assemble when their boss, Mr. No one (Kurt Russell), calls them on the hotline. Yeah, they’re Energy Rangers with out the dinosaurs.

John Cena joins the enjoyable on this trip as Dom’s long-lost brother who needs to reboot the world order, or one thing, with a tool often known as Aires. He’s working for Cipher (Theron, once more) and … blah … blah … Han is someway alive … I simply don’t care.

Justin Lin returns after a quick hiatus and tries to splatter the image with juicy motion. To his credit score, he finds distinctive new methods to inject a bit of life into quite a few set items. Nevertheless, the cartoonish violence clashes badly with the stagnant drama. When Helen Mirren rolls in as Queenie Shaw, orchestrating a wild chase whereas decked in glowing excessive heels, I had no alternative however to throw my palms up and be part of the reckless trip off the cliff of sheer stupidity.

7. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Tokyo Drift represents a refreshing step ahead for the Quick Saga, redeeming itself from the frustration of two Fast 2 Furious. Director Justin Lin takes the reins with finesse, orchestrating thrilling races towards the colorful backdrop of Tokyo, leading to a visually gorgeous expertise. The narrative facilities round Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), a rebellious teenager pressured to relocate to Tokyo, the place he plunges into the wild underground world of road racing, forging new alliances and rivalries whereas mastering the artwork of drifting to outlive and discover his place on this electrifying and threatening subculture.

Whereas not the most effective entry within the franchise, Tokyo Drift a minimum of tries one thing new and, higher but, ditches the campy tone of its predecessor and opts for a darker, character-driven strategy. The motion is thrilling, and Sung Kang’s Han stays one of many extra likable characters within the collection. No matter the place it lands in your private listing of the Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked, it deserved a greater reception than it initially acquired.

6. Furious 7 (2015)

Furious 7, whereas that includes a heartbreaking finale, struggles to depart an enduring impression. Paul Walker’s premature passing throughout manufacturing led to important script modifications and CGI utilization, however his efficiency stays remarkably seamless. The movie’s poignant ending is undeniably shifting, bidding farewell to the actor in a heartfelt and dignified method.

Regardless of the emotional conclusion and scattered moments of pleasure, reminiscent of an exhilarating cliffside chase and Kurt Russell’s satisfying cameo, Furious 7 finally disappoints. A gap credit score sequence that includes Jason Statham as new villain Deckard Shaw (Owen’s bro) kicks issues off on an exhilarating beat. Nonetheless, director James Wan doesn’t know what to do together with his forged past propelling them by more and more outrageous and implausible set items.

Furthermore, the movie veers away from the collection’ earlier makes an attempt to floor the motion in some type of actuality. Dom’s crew transitions from gritty road punks to Avengers-like superheroes, shedding the relatable underdog allure that made them endearing.

Furious 7 remains to be goofy enjoyable, however even devoted followers could roll their eyes when Dom begins shattering concrete buildings with a mere foot stomp, which is why it’s in the course of our Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked.

5. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

Fast & Furious 6 is a blended bag for me. The motion sequences, significantly the tank scene and endless runway finale, are spectacularly staged by director Justin Lin. Nevertheless, the cracks are beginning to present. Concepts are working skinny, necessitating larger and louder stunts, chases, and struggle sequences strung collectively by the slimmest of plots.

This time, our heroes are recruited by Hobbs to seize a harmful madman named Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) earlier than he … um … I’m unsure what Shaw needed, to be completely trustworthy. A microchip? A pc? Neither do Lin or screenwriter Chris Morgan, who cruise by exposition at full throttle. You don’t have a lot time to consider any of it, which might be for the most effective.

Nonetheless, the return of Michelle Rodriguez as Letty is a stroke of genius, regardless of the considerably clumsily dealt with amnesia storyline. Rodriguez’s presence amongst her co-stars brings a way of enjoyable, and she or he impresses together with her formidable efficiency within the motion sequences.

Once more, that is completely advantageous popcorn leisure constructed for the plenty, which is why it lands right here on our listing of the Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked. These in search of extra crime drama and fewer Avenger-ing can be disenchanted.

4. Fast & Furious (2009)

The true sequel to 2001’s unique The Fast and Furious picks up someday after our boys, Brian and Dom, parted methods all these years in the past. Destiny finally brings them again collectively. Properly, that and Letty’s stunning demise by the hands of a drug kingpin named Arturo Braga (John Ortiz). Fueled by his thirst for vengeance, Dom groups up with Brian to convey Braga down, leading to a low-key however adrenaline-fueled entry that raises the stakes with out sacrificing character.

Surprisingly, Fast & Furious ranks among the many lowest rated of the franchise — simply 29% on RottenTomatoes. Pump the brakes! I dug it. The story works. Dom and Brian’s bromance is nice, and the varied motion scenes — significantly a gritty road race by downtown LA — get the blood pumping. The drug trafficking angle is lazy, but it surely fits the universe established within the unique. Dom was by no means an out-and-out dangerous man however a low-level felony making an attempt to maintain his household afloat in a world run by sharks. In order that’s why we like him.

Quick & Livid maintains an important edge subsequent chapters deserted when the franchise grew to become an excessive amount of about household.

3. Fast X

The Fast and Furious franchise is at its greatest when constructed round Dom’s efforts to guard his household. That’s why elements one, 4, 5, and 7 stand out as probably the most entertaining. They’re much less about missions to avoid wasting the world and extra a couple of group of tremendous road racers making an attempt their greatest to outlive an outlandish scenario.

Fast X adheres to this components and, because of a terrific scene-stealing efficiency from Jason Momoa, delivers the high-octane spectacle that made the collection so interesting. Yeah, we’re nonetheless a good distance from the place we began. Nonetheless, Fast X strikes a pleasant steadiness between absurd motion and heart-pounding depth, immersing audiences in a whirlwind of adrenaline-fueled pleasure. It’s massive, goofy, tacky enjoyable. Director Louis Leterrier retains the mayhem flowing at a ridiculous tempo. He levels the motion with a rhythmic beat, taking part in like a big-budget music video. Furthermore, he appears keenly in on the joke, subtly poking enjoyable on the franchise. He takes the fabric significantly sufficient to offer it an edge however solely ventures thus far past viewers expectations.

Actually, Fast X feels just like the film Fast 7, Fate of the Furious, and F9 needed to be. To the best diploma, it’s summer time blockbuster nonsense but additionally massive, bombastic, and fully self-aware. If I needed to make a comparability, I’d liken Fast X to Avengers: Infinity Warfare in spirit. Even characters like Charlize Theron’s Cipher and John Cena’s Jakob Toretto are extra tolerable now.

General, there’s a lot right here to take pleasure in. Vin Diesel is nice as Dom, portraying him as an angsty father who nonetheless is aware of find out how to ship a kick-ass line — “You need to’ve taken my automotive,” he says earlier than driving off the aspect of a dam. Michelle Rodriguez turns it up a notch as Letty, and her scenes with Theron are a enjoyable detour from the primary narrative.

Nonetheless, that is Momoa’s movie, and the hulking star knocks it out of the park. His infectious allure and power breathe life into what was a stale franchise. So I’m really excited to see the place this endless saga goes subsequent.

2. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Name me loopy, however after watching it this week, I dug the unique Fast & Furious movie. Primarily Level Break with automobiles rather than surfboards, this early 2000s motion flick has a bit of one thing for everyone — automobiles, motion, scorching women, bromance — and surprisingly dramatic stakes. The third act motion sequence wherein Dom and his crew battle a shotgun-toting truck driving is pulse-pounding, and the ultimate drag race between Dom and Brian bears emotional weight. Furthermore, director Rob Cohen retains his story grounded, relying extra on character than the outlandish motion that will outline the remainder of the collection.

On a destructive notice, supporting characters like Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty and Johnny Robust’s Leon are short-changed. The finale leaves a number of plot threads dangling within the air, making it much more weird {that a} direct sequel by no means hit theaters till Justin Lin’s quasi-reboot in 2009.

Regardless, my view on The Fast & the Furious has improved. This chapter was refreshingly easy and easy in comparison with the bloated eighth and ninth installments. There’s a motive followers flock to those motion pictures, and it began right here with this low-budget, gripping, entertaining crime drama.

1. Fast 5 (2011)

The Fast Saga peaked with Fast 5. Over a decade later, my thoughts hasn’t modified. The whole lot right here works. The story is sufficiently small in scale to a minimum of preserve credibility; the heroes are likable, the villain (Joaquim de Almeida) is formidable, and The Rock slides into the franchise like an enormous power of nature, injecting a brand new degree of depth, charisma, and larger-than-life presence that amplifies the adrenaline-fueled pleasure of the Fast & Furious collection to exhilarating heights.

Nothing beats the vault chase, a intelligent motion set piece that leans on our heroes’ impeccable racing expertise. They’re not saving the world or firing limitless rounds of gunfire at army opposition; they’re merely road racing at an completely absurd degree. I like it. Diesel is a rock star; his efficiency nonetheless maintains an aura of badassery earlier than the collection turned Dom right into a strolling caricature.

Justin Lin navigates his manner round inventive set items and retains the image shifting at a whiplash-inducing tempo. There’s additionally extra at stake right here than earlier than, and that sense of urgency offers the ultimate reel a much-needed push throughout the end line. That is the one the place I used to be all in on the Quick Saga and why it tops our listing of the Fast & Furious motion pictures ranked. So whereas the remaining bunch represents a gradual decline, the time on the prime was enjoyable whereas it lasted.