Monday, April 06, 2015

MovieNotes: Furious 7

Movie: Furious 7
*ing: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Kurt Russel, Michelle Rodriguez and many more
Director: James Wan
Language: English
Genre: Action

Basic Premise
Former bad guys (with hearts of gold) are now working in close collaboration with the law enforcers in order to prevent the true bad guys from getting their hands on a piece of software which can put its eye on anyone, anywhere, anytime while simultaneously trying to save their "family" from becoming victims of a villain intent on revenge. 
[Spoilers Ahead]

MovieNotes
The 7th movie in a surprisingly successful action franchise which has evolved over time from car chases to heists to fighting terrorists.

The plot-line is full of holes. But the well-executed, fast paced action sequences (e.g. a car jumping across multiple building towers, parachuting cars down from an airplane, cars banging head-on etc), jumping across continents, with little nuggets of humor, never lets you have the time to think about the multiple plot-holes.

There are too many characters, some new, others cutting in from the older installments. Sometimes they just disappear for a while and then suddenly reappear (specially Statham) from nowhere. The likes of Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Hounsou do not really get enough screen time.

Implausible Scene: Statham fighting Rock in a one to one fight? I know, Statham is a former international diver (video) but him beating Rock?

Its all about the family - a theme which binds both the heroes and the villains. Dominic Toretto emphasizes family bonds in a way that would leave our Johars & Barjatyas to shame.

Bollywoodish Plotline: A lead character getting her memory back on being confronted with a tragic sight.

India Connect: Ali Fazal is in a small cameo role which is totally weird, implausible and funny at the same time. However, it is much, much better than Anil Kapoor's "hot Indian" cameo in MI:4

During the entire course of the movie, the thought of the real life tragedy of Paul Walker was ever present at the back of the mind. Every screen moment of him was a reminder of the tragedy even though no direct or indirect reference was made. The end sequence was probably the best on-screen tribute given to an actor ever. The characters talk about his passing on without mentioning his passing away. A sequence done most beautifully, it certainly left many in the audience teary-eyed.

Where does the franchise head from here. Will there be an 8th episode? Will the cast continue?  Or will they move on? They certainly have enough material and a loyal star-cast to continue this franchise for a long time but will they want to continue?

Rating: 8/10. Action packed with plot-holes. But all ignored in the light of the ending tribute scene.

Previously on MovieNotes: The Interview

P.S. Most of the notes seem same as the ones for Fast & Furious 6 

No comments: