Hobbs and Shaw Fueled Past Potholes By Fun And Fantastic Action

In recent years director David Leitch has created some of my favorite action films. His dedication to solid fight choreography, and action scenes that cause sporting event-like pops, have made him a household name in the action movie genre. 

In his latest flick he shows off what he can do with two of the most bankable action stars in a spin-off of one the most prolific action franchise to date: this is Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and morally grey mercenary Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) are forced by fate and the United State Government to work together to retrieve a super virus. 

However, this virus is currently in the possession of Shaw’s little sister Hattie, and to further complicate things she is being tailed by the mysterious Eteon Corporation, who has sent a retrieval team led by genetically modified super soldier and one-time partner to Deckard Shaw, Brixton Lore (Idris Elba).

Now I could sing the director’s praises for hours, given the seemingly endless barrage of well-choreographed fight scenes and car chases. But I simply say that David Leitch knows what the fans want; and this includes a dope soundtrack and score.

The writing by franchise veteran Chris Morgan and Drew Pierce (Hotel Artemis) had the right amount of comedy and melodrama, neither undermined the other. However, the meta humor greatly overstayed its welcome.

Being regulars to this franchise by now, The Rock and Statham have some fantastic chemistry and the number of one-liners they hurl at each other and everyone else is only surpassed by the number of bullets fired in the movie’s entirety.

Vanessa Kirby was amazing in both combat and just overall talent. While I know she didn’t do all her own stunts, you would almost believe that she was a real martial artist by the way she pulled off some of the fight scenes. And she played off the titular leads so well and defied every single notion of the damsel in distress trope.

Idris Elba as Brixton Lore was so good at being bad, he brought his punk Brit swagger, and overall irresistible charm to this role. And easily has one of the best lines in the film.

Hobbs and Shaw is a fun ride from start to finish, and while it hits a few bumps in the road, it’s totally worth strapping in for.

I give Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (Universal Pictures, PG-13, 2hrs 15 mins) a 4 out of 5.