On Fast & Furious 7

Seven films, more planned and no signs of improvement on the first in 2001. This, the seventh Fast & Furious film tries to combine action and comedy, perhaps as a cathartic release for the tragic events surrounding one of their key cast members, as it is clear at times that the surviving cast are genuinely sad in their performances.

This makes it all the sadder that the dialogue is so poor. It gives a talented group of actors who have authentic despair to communicate little to work with. The comedy falls flat, as do the threats. Yet, this may not matter as popular discourse tells us that the reason audiences flock (and they do flock) to see the Fast & Furious films is for the ever mind blowing stunts. They are becoming ever more ambitious, but well choreographed action does not a good action film make.

There is heart in these films, especially in the seventh and it’s in the right place. That heart needs to come off the screen and affect the audience otherwise all they’ll ever do is gasp at the action and forget the rest.