Film Review - Furious 7

Need For Speed

Film: Furious 7

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham

Directed by: James Wan

Duration: 2 hrs 17 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

Since they don’t have much of a plot anyway, come 2035 and I can see Fast and Furious 16 hitting the screens. In this franchise, the villain is merely an excuse for some car porn and Furious 7 is no different. The only dissimilarity would be the emotional factor, since this is actor Paul Walkers last outing.

But otherwise it is the same stuff, different cars. Since the cars have been long enough on road, this time you see them falling out of an aeroplane. Of course they land safely.

Given the impressive work director James Wan has done with horror films like Insidious and The Conjuring, one was hoping he would pull off something different in this action flick. But he is let down by the screenplay and the action scenes which are way over the top. In one sequence, a posh car flies out of what looks like the 60^th floor of a skyscraper. And where does it land? On the 50^th floor of the neighboring building.  That’s not all. It lands in the adjacent building after that.

Jason Statham plays Deckard Shaw who wants to avenge his brother’s death, he is gunning for Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) who are leading a quiet life till the peace is broken.

Dominic is helping Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) recover her memory after the incident in the previous film while Brian is spending time with his family. When Shaw attacks them, the Furious team is assembled taking them from country to another which is just another excuse for more mindless action. 

Fans of the franchise won’t be disappointed, there is enough being served here for them to enjoy. Car chases happen at the drop of a hat and there is also a race at the beginning that springs out of nowhere. 

What works in favor of the film is the chemistry between the characters, they is bonhomie between them. The final tribute to Walker is certainly one of the better moments in the film.

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th April 2015 

www.twitter.com/sachinchatte

 

Film Review - Brick Mansions

Tepid Action

Film: Brick Mansions

Cast: Paul Walker, David Belle, RZA

Directed by: Camille Delamarre

Duration: 1 hr 30 mins

Rating: * *

Paul Walker’s last completed film (Fast and Furious 7 is in the pipeline) before his untimely death, Brick Mansions has a considerably silly plot co-written by Luc Besson. His films, whether written or directed are mostly action oriented with little or no regard for logic and semblance. Directed by Camille Delamarre who is helming the next installment of Transporter, this is a remake of the French film District 13 (2004) which had some high octane action.

Paul Walker plays Damien and undercover cop who has busted quite a few gangs but his ultimate target remains a mafia boss (RZA) who lives in a ghetto that is segregated from the rest of the city, hence the title of the film.

To take on the bad guys he gets help from a suspect Lino (David Belle, reprising the role from District 13) and there is also a sub plot involving a lethal rocket that might launched on the city. The rocket incidentally reminded me of the ones used by Pralaynath Gendaswamy in Tirangaa (1992)

Even though David Belle’s Parkour skills and agility is impressive, the audience cannot really soak in the action because of the fast cuts. Eventually, it ends up looking like kids playing cops and robbers.

There is no intensity or conviction in the proceedings and the acting is also amateurish at times barring Paul Walker. All the sentimentality in the world not withstanding, Brick  Mansions is a darn silly film. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 27th Apr 2014

www.twitter.com/sachinchatte