Film: Hobbs & Shaw

GENRE: Action

RATING: PG-13 for violence and some strong language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 17 minutes

STARRING: Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji 2, Skyscraper, Fast Five)

Jason Statham (Crank, Spy), Idris Elba (Star Trek Beyond, Furious 7)

DIRECTOR: David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2)

WRITERS: Chris Morgan (Fast & Furious 3-8), Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3)

PLOT: Hobbs & Shaw reluctantly team up to help Shaw’s sister and keep a virus out of a cyber-enhanced villain’s hands.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve only seen the first Fast and Furious

STORY STUFF: I did not follow (or care much about) the motivations of the bad guy and what they were trying to achieve. Also, not sure if I needed to know more about the backstory between Shaw and the villain. Either way, the story went on a bit long and could have been tighter.  

ACTING STUFF: The chemistry between Johnson and Statham is fun. You can tell that they are having fun insulting each other and fighting together. There’s a cameo on the plane that’s kind of entertaining. I really enjoyed Ryan Reynolds as Locke. He has fantastic line delivery every time. So funny.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Enjoyable action sequences. Having been to London recently, it’s fun to watch them race around the city. The editing at the end is confusing. First it’s before dawn and dark so the fire looks cool, the sun comes up quickly, but then it’s dark, then it’s sunshine-y as they drive, then a rain storm comes out of nowhere for them to fight in. Also, I found their transformable motorcycles convenient. How does the bike know when and how to twist?  

VERDICT: Two stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You like the Fast & Furious serious I guess.

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