Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

"This job requires stealth. Look at you."

"I'm trying to save the world, which, for the record, will be my fourth time. 'Cause I'm really good at it."

A deadly supervirus, called Snowflake, has the potential to end the world.  MI6 is assigned to secure the virus, but are ambushed by cyberterrorist Brixton Lore (Elba), who is a former MI6 agent.  Agent Hattie Shaw (Kirby) injects the virus into herself and goes on the run.  Brixton frames Hattie for the death of her team.

The CIA is concerned about the missing virus and call in ex-DSS agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) and Hattie's ex-MI6 agent brother Deckard Shaw (Statham) to find Hattie.  Both prefer to work on their own, but reluctantly team-up.  Their partnership is cemented when Brixton attacks and frames them as well, through his techno-terrorist employer Eteon.

Eteon uses the global news media to limit their movements.  However, Hobbs and Shaw call on thief Margarita (Gonzalez) to help them with a heist.  They also track down the creator of Snowflake virus, Professor Andreiko (Marsan).  But Brixton is hot on their trail.  With nowhere else to turn, they turn to family.  Can Hobbs, Shaw, and Hattie remove the virus, stop Brixton, and save the world?

This is a spin-off of the Fast and Furious franchise.  Dwayne Johnson's Luke Hobbs was introduced in Fast Five and also appeared in the next 3 films.  Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw first appeared in a cameo in Fast & Furious 6.  Both characters appeared in Furious 7 and Fate of the Furious.  Due to their chemistry in Fate of the Furious, Universal Studios decided to make a sequel.

The Good:

The film is best when Johnson and Statham are together, especially when they are fighting.  Helen Mirren is hilarious as Deckard and Hattie's mother (she previous appeared in the 8th Fast & Furious film).  Vanessa Kirby is a welcome addition to the team, and has believable chemistry with both leads.

The film doesn't take itself too seriously - the action is over-the-top, but in the best way.

The Bad:

I like Idris Elba, but I don't love his character here.  And Eteon could be a better, shady organization.

Other Comments:

-While this film is part of the Fast and Furious franchise, it feels very different from the other films.

-Cameos by Ryan Reynolds as CIA Agent Locke and Kevin Hart as Air Marshall Dinkley.

-There are plans for a sequel, or at least a second film with Johnson as Hobbs (since he is no longer part of the main franchise).

-Don't go in with expectations and enjoy some mindless fun.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) 137 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for some strong language, prolonged sequences of action, suggestive material, and violence. 

Director: David Leitch

Starring: Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs

Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw

Idris Elba as Brixton Lore

Vanessa Kirby as Hattie Shaw

Eiza González as Margarita / Madame M

Cliff Curtis as Jonah Hobbs

Helen Mirren as Magdalene "Queenie" Shaw

Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i as Mateo Hobbs

Eddie Marsan as Professor Andreiko

Eliana Su'a as Sam Hobbs

John Tui as Kal Hobbs

Josh Mauga as Timo Hobbs