Even an ’80s-era Commodore 64 may write dialogue higher than what’s heard in “Fast X.”

These moments, as wince-inducing as any of the saga’s automotive crashes, discover the “Fast and Furious” franchise reeling underneath the burden of our expectations.

After which Jason Momoa, solid because the villain wanting to wipe out Dom and his “family,” seems. Immediately the saga feels pretty much as good as new.

If solely he may keep on display for the movie’s whole, bloated run time.

We reunite with Dom (Vin Diesel) and his prolonged brood in a uncommon second of bliss. He’s instructing his cute son Brian (Leo Abelo Perry) how you can drive like Daddy (buckle IN!) and fearing some unseen menace might interrupt their bond.

He’s proper, natch.

Dante (Momoa) is out for extra than simply blood and vengeance. He’s a part of the clan’s difficult previous, and he’s set on destroying Dom and every part he holds expensive.

He’s a Bond villain on steroids, and Momoa offers the function every part an actor can summon.

And extra.

He’s giddy and gregarious, mincing however masculine, a one-man wrecking crew who has thought of each angle earlier than he strikes. He sports activities painted nails and pastel garments, however he’s all enterprise when it counts.

He’s ridiculous and excessive, which suggests he’s an ideal match right here. Plus, as tin-eared and exposition-heavy because the dialogue is elsewhere, Momoa will get all of the movie’s wealthy traces.

Some “Fast X” scenes really feel ripped from generic VOD thrillers you stumble into and shut off a 3rd of the way in which via. One alternate, between “Reacher” standout Alan Ritchson and franchise beginner Brie Larson taking part in Mr. No one’s daughter, is so poorly acted you’ll suppose it was the primary take after an extended, liquid lunch.

Can they retroactively take Larson’s Oscar again? Be higher, Brie.

But the movie’s relentless motion, and big-budgeted stunt work, nearly at all times draw you again in. And there’s a brand new bone-crunching scene lurking round each nook.

Some highlights?

  • Any time Momoa opens his mouth
  • A chic slugfest between Michelle Rodriguez and Charlize Theron because the mysterious Cipher
  • The ever-expanding solid, brings charisma to scenes which are lethal boring on the floor
  • We even get a cameo from Helen Mirren, who will need to have been biting her tongue whereas studying her ghastly traces

Anybody new to the franchise will probably be totally misplaced. Even informal followers might must re-read the Wikipedia breakdowns of latest episodes to remain abreast of all the assorted characters and angles.

Some motion sequences, just like the numbing prologue, are simply visible noise. Director Louis Leterrier (“The Transporter”) does higher later, staging elaborate chases that mesmerize.

Positive, a number of the chaos is CGI-generated, but it surely performs out realistically sufficient to trick our senses.

As soon as once more, household is the driving (get it?) power behind the saga. We briefly see Rita Moreno as Abuela Toretto and Dom’s brother Jakob (John Cena) is compelled into babysitting mode to guard Brian from Dante’s minions.

That subplot feels prefer it’s air-lifted from one other, whimsical film earlier than you-know-what will get actual.

Religion even will get a close-up, a reminder of how the saga has stayed grounded regardless of the way it mocks the foundations of physics.

“Fast X” is an enchancment over the earlier installment because of Momoa’s presence and the dearth of house exploration (if that’s a spoiler alert it’s a welcome one, no?). You’ll nonetheless roll your eyes, exhausting, and chuckle at moments that aren’t meant to be humorous.

There’s at the very least another “Fast” coming our approach … or maybe two if Diesel’s latest feedback could be believed.

Even at its greatest, “Fast X” reminds us movie franchises ought to know when to name it a day, or on the very least hold charismatic stars like Momoa on pace dial.

HiT or Miss: “Fast X” is massive, loud, dumb and approach too lengthy. And, when Jason Momoa is chewing the surroundings, it’s excellent summer season escapism.