Fast and furious 8: The Fate of the Furious (2017)
The Fate of the Furious, released in 2017 as the eighth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, throws a wrench into Dom’s (Vin Diesel) world, forcing him to betray everything he stands for. This high-octane action film, directed by F. Gary Gray, takes viewers on a global chase filled with adrenaline-pumping stunts and shocking twists.
Synopsis:
Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are enjoying their honeymoon in Cuba, basking in a sense of normalcy after years living on the edge. However, their idyllic escape is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Cipher (Charlize Theron). Cipher, a cunning cyberterrorist, blackmails Dom into working for her, threatening to unleash chaos upon the world if he refuses.
Forced into an impossible situation, Dom turns against his team, leaving Letty and his loyal crew – Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), and Megan (Nathalie Emmanuel) – reeling. They struggle to comprehend Dom’s betrayal and must find a way to bring him back before he goes too far.
As they delve deeper into Cipher’s web of deceit, the crew uncovers a shocking truth about Dom’s past that sheds light on his motivations. A thrilling chase ensues, taking them across continents – from the bustling streets of New York City to the icy plains of the Barents Sea. They face off against Cipher’s ruthless henchmen and defy death-defying odds in heart-stopping action sequences.
A Family Divided:
The Fate of the Furious delves deeper into the emotional core of the Fast family, exploring the complexities of loyalty and betrayal. Dom’s actions force Letty and the crew to question everything they thought they knew about him. The film explores the unwavering bond between them as they risk everything to bring Dom back from the darkness.
New Faces and Fast Cars:
The Fate of the Furious introduces new characters, including Cipher, the enigmatic villain, and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), a rogue operative with his own agenda. Despite initial friction, Deckard forms an unlikely alliance with the crew, united by a common enemy in Cipher. The film also features a variety of exotic cars and impressive stunts that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Movie Details:
Genre: Action/Crime
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Director: F. Gary Gray
Release Name: The Fate of the Furious (also known as Fast & Furious 8)
Tagline: “The world has gone rogue. One team will bring it back.”
Audio Language(s): English
Runtime: 2 hours and 16 minutes
Filming Locations: Cuba, New York City (USA), Iceland, Cleveland (USA), Russia, the Barents Sea
Release Date: April 14, 2017 (USA)
Starring: Vin Diesel (Dom Toretto), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz), Dwayne Johnson (Hobbs – not featured significantly), Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce), Ludacris (Tej Parker), Nathalie Emmanuel (Megan Ramsey), Charlize Theron (Cipher), Jason Statham (Deckard Shaw), Helen Mirren (Magdalene Shaw), Scott Eastwood (Eric Reisner – new character)
Box Office: $819.0 million (worldwide)
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Trailer:
You can find the official trailer for The Fate of the Furious on Youtube:
Fast & Furious 8 Cast: Familiar Faces and New Threats
Fast & Furious 8 features the franchise’s core cast alongside some exciting additions. Vin Diesel reprises his role as Dominic Toretto, a man torn between his loyalty to his chosen family and a mysterious force. Michelle Rodriguez returns as Letty Ortiz, Dom’s fierce and loyal partner. Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris bring their signature humor and technical expertise back as Roman Pearce and Tej Parker, respectively. Charlize Theron joins the cast as Cipher, a cyberterrorist who manipulates Dom for her own agenda. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns as Luke Hobbs, a hardened DSS agent forced to team up with his former enemy Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) to stop Cipher. Helen Mirren makes a memorable appearance as Magdalene Shaw, Deckard’s formidable mother.
Fast & Furious 8 Crew: A Collaborative Force
F. Gary Gray takes the director’s seat for Fast & Furious 8, bringing his experience with action films like Straight Outta Compton. Chris Morgan returns as the screenwriter, crafting a story that explores themes of family, betrayal, and redemption. Lorne Balfe composes the high-octane score that perfectly complements the film’s action sequences. With a talented crew behind the scenes, Fast & Furious 8 promises a thrilling and visually stunning experience.
Fast & Furious 8 Filming Locations: A Global Spectacle
Fast & Furious 8 takes the crew on a high-speed journey across the globe. Filming locations spanned across continents, capturing the diverse landscapes that become backdrops for the film’s action sequences. The production team revisited familiar locations like Los Angeles and London, but also ventured to new territories including Cuba, where the film opens with a high-energy street race. The breathtaking icy plains of the Barents Sea in northern Norway provided a visually stunning setting for a tense submarine chase. Additionally, scenes were filmed in the vibrant city of New York and the historic streets of Havana, Cuba. This global scope reflects the ever-expanding reach of the Fast & Furious franchise and its international fanbase.
The Soundtrack of Fast & Furious 8: High-Octane Beats
The Fast & Furious films are known for their adrenaline-pumping soundtracks, and Fast & Furious 8 is no exception. Lorne Balfe’s score blends driving electronic beats with orchestral flourishes, perfectly capturing the film’s high-octane action sequences. While a complete list of songs hasn’t been officially released, some confirmed tracks include:
- “Hey Mama” by J Balvin featuring Camila Cabello
- “Swish Swish” by Katy Perry featuring Nicki Minaj
- “Good Life” by G-Eazy & Kehlani
- “Nineteen Hundred” by Bishop Briggs
These tracks, along with others, create a diverse and energetic soundtrack that complements the film’s fast-paced action.
The Real Story Behind Fast & Furious 8 (Fact vs. Fiction)
Fast & Furious 8 is a work of pure fiction, but it draws inspiration from the real world in several ways:
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Fact: Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern in today’s world. The movie uses this real-world issue as a backdrop for Cipher’s villainous plot. However, the extent of her hacking abilities and the technology depicted are far from realistic.
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Fiction: The movie features a team of government agents with near-superhuman abilities and access to advanced weaponry. This is a common trope in action films, but doesn’t reflect the realities of law enforcement or special forces operations.
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Fact: The film explores the concept of chosen family, a theme that resonates with audiences who value strong bonds forged outside of blood relations. This concept is central to the Fast & Furious franchise, highlighting the importance of loyalty and trust among the core characters.
Fast & Furious 8 Box Office Performance
Fast & Furious 8 was a massive commercial success, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide. It secured the number one spot at the global box office for 2017, demonstrating the franchise’s enduring popularity. This success can be attributed to the star power of the cast, the high-octane action sequences, and the intriguing new villain played by Charlize Theron.
Fast & Furious 8 Review: Is it Worth Watching?
Fast & Furious 8 received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the action sequences and the return of the beloved characters, others criticized the predictable plot and the reliance on CGI. Here’s a glimpse into what reviewers and audiences are saying:
Social Media Buzz:
- “The action in Fast & Furious 8 is insane! But the story felt a little weak compared to the previous movies.” – Mark Jones (Twitter)
- “Charlize Theron is amazing as the villain! She almost steals the show from Vin Diesel.” – Sarah Wilson (Facebook)
- “The movie is fun, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Don’t expect an Oscar winner, but a good popcorn flick for sure.” – Alex Rodriguez (YouTube comment)
Review Aggregators:
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67% Fresh (indicating a somewhat favorable reception)
- Metacritic: 65 out of 100 (suggesting mixed or average reviews)
So, is Fast & Furious 8 worth watching? If you’re a fan of the franchise and enjoy action movies with a focus on spectacle, then you’ll likely have a good time. However, if you’re looking for a deep and thought-provoking story, you might be disappointed.
Fast & Furious 8 vs. Similar Movies: A High-Octane Showdown
Fast & Furious 8 joins a long line of action-packed car movies. Here’s how it stacks up against five other high-octane contenders:
Fast & Furious 8 vs. The Italian Job (2003):
- Plot: Both involve elaborate heist plans centered around stealing valuable items.
- Action: Fast & Furious 8 focuses on high-speed chases and outrageous stunts, while The Italian Job leans more on clever planning and teamwork for its heist.
- Characters: Fast & Furious 8 features a large ensemble cast with established relationships, while The Italian Job has a smaller, more focused group.
- Tone: Fast & Furious 8 is a high-octane action extravaganza, while The Italian Job has a lighter, more comedic tone.
- Overall: If you prefer intense action sequences and a sprawling ensemble, Fast & Furious 8 delivers. If you enjoy a heist film with a focus on planning and witty dialogue, The Italian Job might be a better choice.
Fast & Furious 8 vs. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018):
- Plot: Both feature skilled agents on a mission to prevent global catastrophe.
- Action: Both movies boast impressive stunts and action sequences, but with different styles. Fast & Furious 8 focuses on car chases and large-scale explosions, while Mission: Impossible – Fallout features intricate hand-to-hand combat and death-defying stunts performed by Tom Cruise himself.
- Characters: Fast & Furious 8 emphasizes the importance of family and loyalty within the core cast. Mission: Impossible – Fallout features a more traditional team dynamic with Ethan Hunt as the central protagonist.
- Tone: Fast & Furious 8 has a more lighthearted and humorous tone compared to the grittier and suspenseful atmosphere of Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
- Overall: If you enjoy outlandish car chases and a focus on team camaraderie, Fast & Furious 8 is a good choice. If you prefer intricate spy work and suspenseful action sequences, you look the other way.
Fast & Furious 8 vs. The Bourne Identity (2002):
- Plot: Both feature skilled protagonists facing off against international conspiracies.
- Action: Fast & Furious 8 emphasizes outrageous car chases and team-oriented action, while The Bourne Identity focuses on brutal hand-to-hand combat and high-stakes chases with a focus on Jason Bourne’s unique fighting style.
- Characters: Fast & Furious 8 prioritizes the established relationships within the core cast. The Bourne Identity features a lone amnesiac hero piecing together his past, with less emphasis on team dynamics.
- Tone: Fast & Furious 8 is a blend of action and humor, while The Bourne Identity is a more serious and gritty film with a focus on espionage and survival.
- Overall: If you enjoy large-scale action sequences and a focus on family bonds, Fast & Furious 8 is a better choice. If you prefer a more grounded action film with a focus on a single protagonist and a complex mystery, The Bourne Identity might be more appealing.
Fast & Furious 8 vs. Baby Driver (2017):
- Plot: Both showcase impressive driving skills, but with different approaches. Fast & Furious 8 features high-speed chases and heists, while Baby Driver focuses on getaway driving for a crime boss.
- Action: Fast & Furious 8 emphasizes physics-defying stunts and car combat, while Baby Driver features meticulously choreographed driving sequences with a focus on music integration.
- Characters: Fast & Furious 8 boasts a large ensemble cast with established relationships. Baby Driver features a smaller cast with a focus on the internal conflict of the protagonist.
- Tone: Fast & Furious 8 is a high-octane action film with humor, while Baby Driver has a more artistic and stylish approach with a blend of action and drama.
- Overall: If you enjoy outrageous car chases and a focus on team dynamics, Fast & Furious 8 delivers. If you prefer a more character-driven story with a unique music integration and a focus on the driver’s skill, Baby Driver is a better choice.
Fast & Furious 8 vs. Hobbs & Shaw (2019):
- Plot: Both are spin-offs of the Fast & Furious franchise, but with separate storylines. Fast & Furious 8 focuses on Dom’s betrayal and the team reuniting to stop Cipher. Hobbs & Shaw features an unlikely alliance between Hobbs and Deckard Shaw to take down a cybernetically enhanced villain.
- Action: Both movies boast impressive action sequences, but with different styles. Fast & Furious 8 features large-scale car chases and explosions. Hobbs & Shaw features hand-to-hand combat, brutal fight choreography, and larger-than-life stunts.
- Characters: Fast & Furious 8 emphasizes the core Fast family dynamic. Hobbs & Shaw focuses on the reluctant partnership between Hobbs and Shaw, with humor stemming from their contrasting personalities.
- Tone: Fast & Furious 8 has a more serious tone with moments of humor, while Hobbs & Shaw leans more heavily into action-comedy territory.
- Overall: If you enjoy the core Fast family dynamic and the high-stakes story, Fast & Furious 8 might be a better choice. If you prefer a buddy-cop action-comedy with a focus on Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, Hobbs & Shaw is the way to go.
Where to Watch/Download Fast & Furious 8
Fast & Furious 8 is available for digital rental or purchase on various platforms like iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Microsoft Store. You might also find it on VOD services like Hulu or HBO Max, depending on your subscription plan.
For those who prefer a physical copy, Fast & Furious 8 is available on Blu-ray and DVD. These typically include bonus features like behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks, offering an extended look into the filmmaking process.
Availability may vary depending on your region, so it’s recommended to check the specific platform or retailer before making a purchase.
Conclusion: Buckle Up for More Fast & Furious Adventures
Fast & Furious 8 may not be the most critically acclaimed entry in the franchise, but it delivers the high-octane action and outrageous stunts that fans crave. Whether you’re a gearhead, an action movie enthusiast, or simply enjoy the camaraderie of the Fast family, Fast & Furious 8 offers an exhilarating escape.
So, if you’re ready to revisit Dom’s struggle with loyalty and experience the high-octane action sequences, head over to your preferred digital platform or check out Blu-ray and DVD retailers. With more Fast & Furious films on the horizon, the franchise
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