Taking a break from our regular legal and business analysis, this post focuses on a different type of industry topic. As a long-time fan of The Fast and the Furious franchise and a lover of all things automotive, I anxiously awaited the release of The Fate of the Furious. How would the series survive without Brian O'Connor (the late Paul Walker) gracing the screen? Could they possibly top the sheer beauty from Furious 7 of a Lykan HyperSport catapulting from skyscraper to skyscraper at the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi? And what new supercar was I going to fall in love with this time? Sadly, the HyperSport, with its diamond encrusted headlights, remains slightly out of my price range.
Rest assured, they pulled it off. For those that haven't watched the prior installments in anticipation of this release, Furious 7 left off with an emotional final drive between O'Connor and Toretto (Vin Diesel) winding side by side on a mountainous road before O'Connor's white MKIV Toyota Supra and Toretto's Project Maximus 2000HP 1968 Dodge Charger part ways.
The Fate of the Furious picks up with a colorful street party in Havana, Cuba, followed by a rip-roaring race between Toretto and a local challenger. Toretto flies past classic American cars while driving a souped up jalopy. My heart was pumping as I willed Toretto across the finish line, his car driving in reverse and engulfed in flames. Off to a good start.
Previous movies have taken us through the streets of Los Angeles, Tokyo, The Dominican Republic, Rio de Janeiro, London, and Abu Dhabi. This time, we see New York City streets and buildings destroyed by the motley crew and their enemies. Without giving away any spoilers, Toretto is blackmailed into going rogue. Various characters switch sides, with family fighting family and everyone fighting Toretto. One particularly thrilling sequence involves an icy tundra, a high speed chase, a submarine, and a Lamborghini Murcielago. Many scenes left me (happily) shaking my head in disbelief.
Now, to the most important part: the cars. The Dodge Challenger (this time a 2018 SRT Demon) once again has a starring role, followed closely by a 1968 Dodge "Ice" Charger, and a Plymouth GTX, rumored in the movie to have 5000 horsepower (still figuring that one out). Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) tears up the road with a rally red 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stringray and a Local Motors Rally Fighter. Another new character drives a 2017 Subaru BRZ, perfect for whipping around street corners in New York. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) drives a hulking Navistar International MXT. Unclear if the harpoon option is a real possibility on the truck.
Although Fast Five remains my all-time favorite, The Fate of the Furious was a fun ride. Here's hoping I don't get any speeding tickets this week.
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