Fast & Furious 9

As Michael Corleone said in "The Godfather Part III": "Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in". Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) feels the same way. Together with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and his son Brian, he lives a secluded life away from any threats. But then Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) show up at Dom's retreat with a message from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russel). Mr. Nobody has crashed a plane - aboard a mysterious cargo that, in the wrong hands, could pose a grave danger to all mankind. Dom is tasked with getting the old crew together to recover the cargo. Too bad a dangerous killer has also been given the same assignment - a killer who has a very special relationship with Dom: His brother Jacob (John Cena)...

In the US sitcom "Happy Days" there was once an episode in which the popular main character jumped over a shark on water skis. This stunt was meant to fuel flagging ratings. Instead, as "Jumping the Shark", this scene has become synonymous with the moment when a popular series or movie series has passed its zenith and is trying too hard to get fans excited for more episodes/movies. The "Fast & Furious" franchise has had several such moments over the course of nine films (counting the "Shaw & Hobbs" spin-off). So far, though, it's still always worked well, and fans have always remained loyal to Dom and his "family" despite some incredibly over-the-top scenes.

With Part 9, though, the moment has come when the franchise really has to watch its step to avoid going over the top. Even if the jump has not yet been made - the shark is at least already in sight. Yet the conditions are very good for another successful chapter in the history of the series: because with "Fast & Furious 9" director Justin Lin returns after a two-film hiatus to the franchise, which has grossed nearly $6.5 billion worldwide to date. However, screenwriter Chris Morgan, who has worked on all the films since Part 3, is no longer involved. And it shows. Especially the many one liners seem rather forced and unintentionally funny. You always have the feeling that the film takes itself too seriously despite the many absurdities. And that does him simply not good.

Spätestens when the action shifts into space, you have to swallow even as a fan but a little too much grout. In stark contrast, there are some flashbacks to the young Toretto brothers and the event that divided them. And exactly these scenes impressively show that such completely nonsensical action scenes wouldn't have been needed at all to give the audience a really good time. It's also a pity that it's clear from the beginning how the story between Dom and Jacob will develop. Just saying: "Family"...

Surely: "Fast & Furious 9" is still fun. Not as much as the last installment still was, though. It becomes clear that it would do the series good not to try to take it up a notch for the announced finale, but rather to take a step back again. If you don't mind that not only the story but also the action are absolutely unrealistic nonsense and if you just want to enjoy brain-out popcorn cinema, this movie can be recommended to you as well. Not the best part of the series, but despite all the criticisms still: worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp