Fast and Furious 6: Movie Review
Who do you cheer for in a movie where everyone is breaking the law?
In Fast and Furious 6, the gang find themselves caught up in an international syndicate and deliver far more than what audiences are used to. Lucas “Luke” Hobbs (Dwyane Johnson) returns as Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) uncomfortable antagonist. Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) rejoins Toretto and the two go on yet another petrol-fuelled adventure together.
The opening scene sets the tone of the movie: Toretto in a Dodge Challenger and O’Conner in a Nissan GT-R driving through mountainous roads in an exotic far away land. After the heist in Fast 5, the two retired to lead quiet lives - as did other members of the gang, Han (Sung Kang), Gisele (Gal Gadot), Tej (Ludacris) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson).
Through a twist of events, the gang find themselves together again in familiar territory and familiar roles. But then something or, rather, someone from the past comes back to haunt them. Every decision they make - be it endangering their lives, breaking the law or causing hurt to others - is due to the mysterious return of this long lost character.
Enter the highly intelligent precision driver Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans). He has a finger in every pie – the government, CIA, police and military. Shaw is portrayed as a man without loyalty, only focused on getting the job done – which is almost exactly the opposite way Toretto conducts his business.
Love, honour and breaking the law
In the Toretto camp, there is a genuine sense of camaraderie, love, emotion and an unspoken code of conduct which everyone adheres to. In Shaw’s camp, it is strictly business, with cold military precision as the only way to win, regardless of what, or who, gets in the way.
So which group is doing the right thing? Well, none of them actually; each side bends the law to their own purposes. And just like the previous movies in the series, the unsuspecting audience is soon cheering on a bunch of criminals.
Fast and Furious 6 is a highly entertaining, nitro-powered couple of hours revved up by rubber 'n metal Hollywood action. But, again, just like the previous films, the line between right and wrong gets very blurry.
At the same time as praising positive values (such as love and bravery), it glorifies negative ones (revenge, theft and irresponsible living). And, somehow, we get caught up in it. Be careful you don't walk out of the cinema thinking, "Wouldn't it be cool to be like those guys?". Rather, keep hold of the words of the Bible found in Titus 2:11-13:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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