Here’s my Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw review. Film stars Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Vanessa Kirby and Idris Elba. Directed by David Leitch. Now Showing!

Synopsis:

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves.

If you’re looking for a great time or a movie that’s just filled to the brim with action then this movie is just for you. Mind you the violence is toned down here, much like how the WWE operates under their PG-era. Also since this is a “Fast and Furious” spinoff, its also going to follow and emulate some of the established formulas for the franchise.

I’m really interested in what this spinoff would offer to longtime fans and I’m happy to report in this, this is an entirely different beast. This has got more spy-action movie in it than the heist-y F&F films starring Vin Diesel. And how do you kick open this type of spinoff franchise? Get the two baddest men in cinema today to do a buddy-cop movie of sorts.

I loved the banter between the two. It’s a shame that they didn’t get much banter before (we did get a sweet Rock Bottom in their first fight scene together, remember that?)

If they had been in another movie or the writing was bad, this wouldn’t have worked but for “Hobbs and Shaw” the rapid fire quips and banter worked extremely well. Like there’s a ditty here where The Rock calls Statham a “hobbit” and in another scene Statham calls Johnson a “fatty”.

The action scenes, the car chases, all follow the signature “Fast and Furious” formula which is perfect for the tone of the film. I wouldn’t want that changed at all. There are a few scenes where its too CGI for my taste but I let that slip. Also if you’d be turned off by the sheer ridiculousness of the set pieces (outracing a drone, precision driving a McLaren with busted wheels) then I suggest you start watching all the insane and unrealistic stuff that the other movies have done.

Vanessa Kirby (Me Before You, The Crown, Mission Impossible: Fallout, About Time) was a fantastic addition here. And while her character’s pretty much a badass, we still end up seeing her as the damsel-in-distress and a McGuffin at the same time. Still she’s a great third wheel in the Statham-Johnson dynamics.

SPOILERS:

There’s also two great cameos here in the movie. One actor did a great job in another David Leitch movie and he has an extended role here. I’m hoping and praying he continues work here as new character Locke. And another Hollywood A-Lister also makes a cameo here and he’s become a staple in Dwayne Johnson movies. His was short but sweet.

END OF SPOILERS.

Luke Hobbs

Is there anything that Idris Elba can’t make his own? As Brixton he’s menacing and more than a worthy adversary for  Deckard Shaw and Luke Hobbs. He’s also protected by an insane amount of “plot armor”. That “Black Superman” line may feel like a throwaway gag but it definitely suit his character. My only problem is that we’ve seen this enemy before which kinda makes it a waste for a man of Elba’s acting skills.

So while the humor here was sharp and fun, the movie also suffers from campy vibes. The dialogues can get campy and the fight scenes goes more than over the top that it becomes too cartoony even in Fast and Furious standards. Still that’s forgivable for me because it meant that we get a lot of great action scenes with both the former WWE Champion and the former Transporter. But really, had this been done by a different set of actors with a different writing team and director, this would have deserved a triple powerbomb…

Speaking of WWE, I got a kick out of seeing Roman Reigns as one of The Rock’s brothers here. He does have a weaker role here compare to Cliff Curtis who was the badass older Uso for Hobbs’ family in Samoa. But man oh man, seeing him teaming up with the Rock and delivering his crushing “Spear” on the helpless soldiers then going “UWAAAAAAAHHHH” was such a kick to see. Thank you for that Universal!

Hobbs and Shaw Review – Verdict

9/10

Don’t look for a movie that’s worthy of Cannes or Sundance here because this is just pure fun and testosterone-fueled movie magic. I’m happy to report in this Hobbs and Shaw review that the movie definitely hit its target of delivering a “spinoff” movie with its own vibe and life while still dressed up in the Fast and Furious trademark swagger and style. Not much substance in the movie but that’s the way I like it. Problematic subplots and an enemy that was promising but ultimately fizzled out by the third act.

Yet with all that being said, I liked “Hobbs and Shaw” A LOT.