MOVIE MONDAYS: FAST & FURIOUS 7
Fast & Furious 7 was a hard film for me to go and see. I remember watching the first installment of this franchise a decade ago and crossing all my limbs that there will be a Fast & Furious 2 because I did not want to be in a world where I had just the one film. Slightly dramatic, I know, but I wanted to learn more about all the characters - Letty, Dom, Mia and of course Brian. How did they get to where they are? What will happen after the final scene when the keys to a 10s car was given to one worthy to drive it? Never did I think I would get 6 films after that one...
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Source: Universal Studios
I chose not to see this film in the first week of its release because I did not want to watch it in a cinema theatre rammed with people as I knew there would be several moments when my tear-gates will just unashamedly open. And I was right. 5 minutes into the film I felt like a parent who was watching her child graduate and realising that this is the moment when her baby is no longer the little kid she had to cover in plasters from all the cuts he/she got whilst playing cops & robbers or read a bedtime story to get the rascal to sleep but rather the child she has seen grow up to now be able to go into the world and make his/her mark; a mixture of joy, pride and sadness. It should come as no surprise to you that I thoroughly enjoyed Fast & Furious 7 and I take my imaginary hat off to all those who were involved in its production because I think they did a fantastic job.
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Source: Universal Studios
For those of you out there who still may not know what this franchise is about I shall give you a few pieces of the puzzle. The Fast & Furious is about a group of people who have a penchant for fast cars and the thrill of the chase but most of all, know the importance of family and protecting your own. Furious 7 was brought to our screens under the direction of James Wan (The Conjuring; Insidious; Saw) this time round whilst its funny and heartwarming script was penned by Chris Morgan (47 Ronin; Fast & Furious 6; Wanted), who is no stranger to these characters as he wrote the script for the last 4 films of this series. One thing that I love about the cinematography of this film is the duck, tuck and roll technique - as I like to call it - they use during the fight sequences where the camera places you in the shoes of the characters being slammed to the ground or rolling. I am sure there is a proper name for it but for now this is what I will be calling it. And as you have probably guessed the action scenes are very entertaining as per usual. I must mention that the work of the costume department did not go unnoticed. Wowza! Let's just say I was taking mental notes. And, as always, the soundtrack is too good not to download onto your ipod and blast all throughout summer. The song played at the end of the film is the one I currently have on repeat. Not gonna lie, every time I hear it I tear up a little.
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Source: The Official Fast & Furious Website
With the cast for this film we've got a number of talented people on board. Dom, the guy who acts like gravity and draws all sorts of people to himself is brought back to our screens by no other than Vin Diesel (Guardians of the Galaxy; Thee Chronicles of Riddick; The Iron Giant). Hearing his voice will never get old. The awesome Michelle Rodriguez (Resident Evil: Retribution; Lost; Avatar) takes on the role of Letty, the woman described to have eyes that cuts through the bullsh*t and sees the good in people. She is one of my favourite characters! Dwayne Johnson (Hercules; Fast & Furious 6; WWF Raw) returns as the ever so driven Agent Hobbs. Rome a.k.a Roman a.k.a the man who is sure to make you chuckle was played by good ol'Tyrese Gibson (Legion; Transformers; 2 Fast 2 Furious) again and Ludacris slips into the well worn shoes of super slick Tej - a man who knows a thing or two about cars, safes and most things electrical. There were also a couple unexpected faces in this installment one of them being Sasha from Hollyoaks a.k.a Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones; Hollyoaks; Misfits). It was such a pleasant surprise to see her in this. Jordana Brewster (Dallas; American Heist; The Fast and the Furious) reprises her role as the lovely but feisty Mia alongside Paul Walker (The Lazarus Project; Eight Below; Into the Blue) as the loyal and lovable Brian O'Conner. As Paul Walker sadly past away in the middle of production of F7, his brothers Caleb and Cody Walker stepped in to help finish the scenes their brother had not yet completed. There is no way you can miss the theme of family when you watch an F&F film but this one really drove home the importance of finding and defending your own.
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Now, all I have to say is watch it.... and then let me know what you think.
Mo x