What happened ?

Rating: 5/10 (19 September 2013)

Yes it's an action film...........so you don't expect a script worthy of Shakespeare.
But seriously, there's barely any character development in this film whatsoever - and the script is so basic it's totally unbelievable.
###########Spoilers ahead################# The franchise has never been known for realism - just think of the safe scene in number 5.
But it's generally always been an enjoyable ride - fun characters, great action and excellent car chases.
This film fell flat for me - the action scenes ironically overpowered the film, leaving what was left feeling empty.
Starts off well, but soon becomes just an expensive reel of stunt after stunt.
And the majority of the cast were barely used. Most of the script just involved The Rock, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
And a couple of the action sequences weren't even believable - you can suspend belief so far, but this was taking it to extremes.
Unfortunately those action sequences were the 'big' ones............the tank leaving a trail of destruction and the finale featuring the longest take off in history!!!! The tank being totalled after the car it was towing went over the bridge, and the finale with the aircraft chase going on forever.
I mean seriously - the plane touched down partway down the runway, didn't stop and carried on at near take off speed forever.
Visually impressive, but not at all realistic. And that was the problem with the scene, no sense of suspense or even attempted realism.
Then there were the character moments. Vin Diesel pulling a bullet out of himself with no hint of a whimper, and cars rolling all over the place - but no hint of even a graze or limp afterwards.
Worst part for me anyway though was the quick death of Han and Giseles relationship. May just be me, but their relationship seemed the most real - yet Gisele dies in the blink of an eye...........and no funeral, not even a look for the body in case she survived.
Then you've got Paul Walkers character infiltrating a prison, getting into solitary and then (seemingly) just walking out and flying back to London.
So gets a 5 from me. Looks like they've already got number 7 lined up from the ending, but it'll need a far better script to get me hooked.
Series should really have ended at number 5.