KANSAS CITY, Mo — Does “Furious 7” compare to its predecessors? FOX 4’s Russ Simmons and Shawn Edwards weigh in with their opinions of the latest film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
- FURIOUS 7 (PG-13)
Universal
RUSS
Ah, 2001 was a simpler time. It marked the debut of “The Fast and the Furious,” a movie adaptation of a magazine story about LA’s street racing scene. Since then, the subsequent “Furious” movies have evolved into over-the-top, comic book variations of James Bond flicks. It’s best to think of them as science fiction fantasies, because everything that happens in them defies the laws of physics.
SHAWN
Just because something isn’t good for you doesn’t not make it great. And “Furious 7” is a grand celebration of excess and over the topness in a deliciously major way.
RUSS
The screenplay is terrible, of course, but it doesn’t matter. Director James Wan of “Saw” fame was given a budget in the $200 million range to stage a series of elaborate action scenes, car chases and explosions….and that’s just what he delivers.
SHAWN
What you get is broken glass everywhere, flying cars, more punches thrown than in every Rocky movie combined, costume changes and Godzilla like destruction of cities across the globe. And you say this all started from a small movie about illegal street racing based on a magazine article?
RUSS
Think of any action cliché and then add the phrase, “on steroids.” It’s appropriate that The Rock is one of the “Furious 7” stars, because, like WWF wrestling, there isn’t a believable moment in it…but it’s still mindless fun.
SHAWN
“Furious 7” cleverly connects with the previous six movies. Addresses the death of Paul Walker with emotionally draining references to our mortality. And provides what seems like endless entertainment. Movie long. Plausibility left the building early in this franchise so don’t try too hard to make it all make sense. Just enjoy the ride. And it’s one heck of a ride. Not even a roller coaster harness will hold you in. Overall it all adds up to new millennial greatness. You can have your “Citizen Kane.” I am rolling with “Furious 7.”
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 5 Popcorn Bags
ALSO OPENING THIS WEEK:
-RIOT CLUB (R- IFC Films) is a British drama about a group of wealthy and spoiled Oxford students who indulge in all manner of bad behavior.
-EFFIE GRAY (PG-13 – Adopt Films) stars Elle Fanning as a young girl who participates in an arranged marriage with a much older art critic in Victorian England. Emma Thompson, who wrote the screenplay, co-stars.
– BACKCOUNTRY (Unrated -IFC Films) is a thriller about a couple who go camping only to be terrorized by a vicious black bear.
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