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Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw

(3 1/2 popcorn boxes)

  Did we really need another (ninth) Fast and Furious film? Yes. Why would I go see a Fast and Furious film that does not have Vin Diesel? Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.

  Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) has been a part of this franchise since Fast Five. Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) has been bad and good since Furious 7. These are characters we know and love.

  The basic premise of Hobbs and Shaw is simple… they don’t play well with others or together. Of course, they must work together to save the world. Or mankind. One or both of those. There is even a terrible virus involved. Nothing mind-stretching or new. In fact, the entire storyline was trite and predictable. But so much fun!

  This time we meet Shaw’s younger sister, Hattie (Vanessa Kirby). You may remember that his brother Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) was the super bad guy in Fast & Furious 6. That didn’t end well for him. And his mother Queenie (Helen Mirren – yes! Helen Mirren) was hilarious in The Fate of the Furious. I am happy to report that sister Hattie is also awesome!

  Chasing the virus to keep it from the featured super villain Brixton (Idris Elba) takes us from London to Moscow and on to Samoa. Complete with exciting car and motorcycle chases, crazy fight scenes… of course, we have Statham and Johnson… and corny moments of coming together to save mankind. But so much fun! 

  Quick movie quote for you… As Hobbs and Shaw are walking past a line of super-fast and fancy cars in Shaw’s secret lair, they see a Mini Cooper. Shaw says “I used that for a job in Italy.” Best. Line. Ever.

  I have to give Hobbs and Shaw three and a half out of five boxes. I’m reasonably certain I am required by law to enjoy action movies. Yes, the story was stupid. Yes, this is the NINTH Fast and Furious movie. Yes, this was laugh out loud fun. I cannot remember when I laughed so much and completely enjoyed the action and adventure. Opening weekend made a kabillion dollars, and I’m looking forward to Fast and Furious 10. Hopefully with Vin Diesel. But, really, if the powers that be are listening… I’m okay with only Johnson and Statham. This film is rated PG-13 for action and violence. Hobbs and Shaw is a winner. And now I know the correct way to pronounce Samoa.

  Check this week’s issue of the Frankenmuth News for a complete listing of shows and times.

MOVIE TRIVIA

 Vanessa Kirby was superb. She also appeared in this mega 2018 hit starring Tom Cruise. (That may have been too big a hint.)

LAST WEEK’S MOVIE TRIVIA

        Marissa Tomei is back as Peter’s Aunt May. Though she receives a lot of flak for her Oscar-winning performance in My Cousin Vinny, I think she’s great. I even thought so way back in the early 1980s when she was on this classic soap opera. As the World Turns