Furious 7 is the 2015 entry in the Fast and Furious franchise. It was directed by James Wan and stars Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Statham, Kurt Russell, and The Rock. Ronda Rousey has an extended cameo appearance in the movie, and Paul Walker's brother, Brian, played a stand-in to finish Paul Walker's scenes after his tragic death partway through the filming of the movie. This movie is definitely a turning point for the Fast & Furious franchise, in large part because of Paul Walker's death. The movie, finally, deals with Han's death in Tokyo Drift, which on film occurred years earlier, but Sung Kang kept appearing in the subsequent movies always hinting that he would get to Tokyo. In this movie, it is revealed that Han was killed by the brother of Own Shaw (Luke Evans), Deckard, played by Jason Statham. The movie is essentially about the team trying to track down Deckard and get revenge for Han. The movie has the typical over-the-top action that has become the staple of the film series, especially after all the main actors returned to the franchise after Tokyo Drift. There are a lot of tongue-in-cheek absurd moments like The Rock flexing out of a cast and leaving the hospital to get back into the fight after he is sidelined most of the movie. The movie also introduced the character Mr. Nobody, a covert ops leader played by Kurt Russell, and the cameo appearance by Rhonda Rousey, who is basically in the movie to have a throwdown with Michelle Rodriquez.
For those who get the blu-ray set, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. Of course, there are a ton of special effects used throughout the movie, and everything looks wonderful and seamless. There are two versions of the movie, the theatrical and an extended edition that adds about a minute to the theatrical version. It is so inconsequential that it was really not worth making an extended edition. Then, there are about six minutes of deleted scenes, seven making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes that range in length from about six minutes to just over thirty minutes. Then there is a feature on the Race Wars festival, the music video "See You Again" from Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and a feature on the Fast & Furious-themed ride at Universal.
Overall, the movie is good but much more emotional than it was intended to be. It is the last entry in the franchise before it got completely ridiculous (although there are plenty of ridiculous moments in this one, too). I am sure most people know how the movie handled Paul Walker's death in terms of Brian's storyline. I will not spoil it for the handful of people who don't know, but I think it was very well done. The movie is 95% action, 5.9% tongue-in-cheek comedy, and .1% drama. The franchise has found the formula that works for it and stays in that lane. It does not try to be a best-picture candidate, so if that is what you are looking for, this is not it. But if you want to watch a fun action movie with a bunch of car chases and cool stunts, this is a good one.
For those who get the blu-ray set, the movie looks and sounds great in HD. Of course, there are a ton of special effects used throughout the movie, and everything looks wonderful and seamless. There are two versions of the movie, the theatrical and an extended edition that adds about a minute to the theatrical version. It is so inconsequential that it was really not worth making an extended edition. Then, there are about six minutes of deleted scenes, seven making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes that range in length from about six minutes to just over thirty minutes. Then there is a feature on the Race Wars festival, the music video "See You Again" from Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and a feature on the Fast & Furious-themed ride at Universal.
Overall, the movie is good but much more emotional than it was intended to be. It is the last entry in the franchise before it got completely ridiculous (although there are plenty of ridiculous moments in this one, too). I am sure most people know how the movie handled Paul Walker's death in terms of Brian's storyline. I will not spoil it for the handful of people who don't know, but I think it was very well done. The movie is 95% action, 5.9% tongue-in-cheek comedy, and .1% drama. The franchise has found the formula that works for it and stays in that lane. It does not try to be a best-picture candidate, so if that is what you are looking for, this is not it. But if you want to watch a fun action movie with a bunch of car chases and cool stunts, this is a good one.
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