"Fast & Furious 6" (2013)

The Fast and Furious films function heavily on suspension of disbelief, in some ways more than other franchise films. This has become increasingly true as the films have embraced their cartoon-y, dumb-fun nature. Fast Five marked a new era for the franchise, which has extended into Fast & Furious 6, establishing a byzantine mythology and crafting action setpieces that defy logic. The film’s new ace in the hole was behind the camera; director Justin Lin stream-lined the meathead lunacy. Action films have the good fortune of not necessarily needing exceptional content. All they require is good formal considerations for how that content is shot. Lin does just this, pulling off the action sequences with coherence, clarity and proficiency. But Lin’s efficiency extends beyond this as well. The backstory has become exceedingly complicated and the film is juggling a large ensemble, but Lin brings economy and balance to how this is dealt with. He moves past set-up, admittedly wanting, in order to get to good-natured banter and no-nonsense action. Though Fast & Furious 6 at times wears it bloat on its sleeves, even more than the already unwieldy Fast Five, that typically has more to do with the series crushing under the ridiculous, dense, dedicated continuity. But simply praising the series for its action, which is tune-in, drop-out, gloriously unhinged technical spectacle at its most effective, sells its short. Fast & Furious 6 is successful for the diversity of its cast and its interest in giving its female characters, though only supporting roles, more to do than to simply look pretty and be saved. Its characters don’t have exceptionally deep characterizations but they’re well-written enough to remain recognizable and believable no matter how absurd the plot around them becomes. Also, not to overstate things, but it’s a very American film in its values, reaffirming family and marriage, and sacrifice and subsuming yourself to a greater cause. While none of this is especially nuanced, when there’s a car chase involving a tank, does it really matter?

Grade: B