Furious 7

There is nothing “Furious 7” isn’t willing to do to entertain. The action is bigger than ever, the story is crazier, the cars are faster and the ladies are sexier. What differentiates it from the other equally special-effect and action-fuelled summer blockbusters is that it still has a lot of heart at its center, even more than any of the other “Fast & Furious” films.

Set after “Tokyo Drift”, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and the rest of the “family” are living peacefully in the United States when they become the targets of Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham.) Seeking revenge for what happened to his now comatose brother (see “Fast & Furious 6”), he’s coming after Dom, Brian, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Tej (Chris Bridges), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Mia (Jordana Brewster.)

If you criticize the fact that the picture's physics are inconsistent, that a street racer can take down a professional bodyguard, that the technology featured has no basis in reality or that our heroes are the luckiest people in the world for being able to avoid death time after time, you’re not being smart or observant. This film knows perfectly well that what is going on here is impossible, that it’s all a fantasy. We all do! I’m not saying that you need to leave your brain at the door, just enjoy the film for what it is, admire the way the driving sequences, nutty as they may be, are choreographed, take note of how good the special effects/stunts are, of how the screenplay manages to continuously top itself even when you think it can’t go any further. It’s fast-paced, exciting all the way through and no mere accident. It’s the evolution of a franchise that started way back in 2001. Now it’s all grown up and ready to flex its muscles. When it does, your jaw drops.

“Furious 7” is a cut above your standard action blockbuster. Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) fights a Hunter-Killer from "Terminator", people are driving through buildings, cars are getting ground to dust… and then comes the conclusion. Paul Walker died before the shooting could be finished and as a final farewell, you couldn’t ask for better. The way they write his character out of the franchise is moving. This is the culmination of 14 years’ worth of films. We’ve seen Walker go through some so-so, but charming films, through some bad decisions and grow. Even if you take away the real-life tragedy, it’s the kind of stuff long-running franchises like “Resident Evil” only dreams of.

“Furious 7” brandishes so much excitement you’ll have a blast. It could've still been routine stuff if it wasn't for the ending, which is worth the price of admission alone. Within its 137-minutes “Furious 7” encompasses everything that works about this series. (Extended edition on Blu-ray, April 13, 2017)