FURIOUS SIX Review - YESSSS!

Do you remember the days when it used to be cool to hate on THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS movies? If you liked the series, people frowned at you. I liked the first two films - and not too many other people do. Then the third one apparently changed everybody else's minds - including mine, because that was the first one I didn't really like. I didn't bother with the fourth one - even to this day, I still haven't seen it.

But FAST FIVE kind of impressed everyone, even myself. It wasn't just a movie about fast cars and criminals - it was fucking fun. The cast looked like they were having the time of their lives. FAST FIVE was so good that I even consider it as being one of the best films of 2011. But FAST AND FURIOUS 6, or FURIOUS 6 as it is called in the credits, blows FAST FIVE out of the water.

FURIOUS 6 is the definition of a true summer blockbuster. There are likable characters, exciting action pieces, and a really fast pace. The two hour movie didn't feel like it at all. FURIOUS 6 is kind of that puppy that you want to adopt and nuture it - it really loves you. It doesn't want you to stop petting it. Justin Lin, even though he didn't blow me away before, has put together two great films that stand on their own.

The film begins with Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) racing to get to their hideaway as Brian's girlfriend Mia (Jordana Brewster) is about to have her child. Before Brian walks in the door, Toretto reminds Brian that he is bringing another member into the family. If you need any reminders, these movies are all about the family. Unlike THE HANGOVER III where everybody hates each other, these characters just saying the word 'family' makes us love them so much more.

Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) has been investigating a group of criminals who have been stirring trouble around the world, led by a former Special Agents officer Owen Shaw (Luke Evans). Hobbs comes to Toretto asking if he can help Hobbs put together a team (or "family") that can help bring him behind bars. The kicker to all of this? Shaw's henchman happens to be Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Toretto's old girlfriend who was thought to have been killed in the fourth movie. Hobbs promises the team that if they can capture the crew, he can get them all pardons and allow them to live their lives in freedom.

So as you can tell, there is little actual plot to this one. What we are watching are action pieces set around character development. All of these characters throughout this movie mature just a little bit. Brian begins to realize the meaning of family. Han (Sung Kang) finds love in Gisele (Gal Gadot). Roman and Tej (Tyrese and Ludacris, respectively) are still doing their thing and living large - but do big things with their money. And these are all characters are a lot of fun to be around.

None are more fun than the action sequences however. There aren't any cop-outs in this film. We get an awesome action sequence that takes place through the streets of England, a girl-fight between Michelle Rodriguez and Gina Carano (yes, that one), and a really awesome scene that takes place on a highway. There is even a scene where Han and Roman have to fight Joe Taslim, who if you don't remember kicked some serious ass in THE RAID.

I mean they got Joe Taslim to star in this movie. This movie has such a kickass action cast that only Sylvester Stallone can get a better gang together.

Unlike FAST FIVE, you should probably go into this movie with good knowledge of the other ones. The movie brings back a lot of stuff from the third and the fourth one, but even the montage at the beginning of the movie tries to catch you up. And even if you are a FAST AND FURIOUS apologist, it feels good to watch that. These are characters that should stay close to our hearts, and a montage containing all of their finest moments is just soothing.

It is almost impossible to review FURIOUS SIX. It's a lot of fun, but what else can you say about it? It's just characters you love to be around. Sure, they all have faults. But it's like being with your best friends. It's like Justin Lin watched MIAMI CONNECTION fifty times and discovered the meaning of friendship. And I'm in full approval.