Vroom vroom... strap yourself in for a fast-paced ride...

Rating: 7/10 (22 August 2011)

Having seen the previous four movies in the series, I can't really claim to be a fan, yet here I am again, sitting down to watch another of these movies. Now, I am not a fan of fast cars, street racing, nor of Vin Diesel, but there is just something about this 5th installment of the series that works so well.
Of all the movies so far, this part is the one with the most interesting and solid storyline. Sure, it was pretty far out there at times, but in overall, it did work quite well. The movie has lots of action, fast paced scenes and racing, impressive cars, and a load of really good shots of Rio.
From the very beginning of the movie, you are in for a thrill-ride, and it doesn't stop until the movie is over and the credits start scrolling. You will be riveted in your chair by this movie, that much is certain. What I liked was that the heist was more a focal point of the movie, as compared to the fancy cars.
The chase scene on foot through the narrow, winding streets, alleys and rooftops of Rio was mind-blowing. That was, for me at least, perhaps the most action packed scene of the movie. It was just so intense. It was like you were there yourself.
And the scene where they had the vault dragging after them, well it was a bit too much, a tad over the top, but it was still nice though. Yet, how very, very odd that it was only police casualties and no civilian casualties in this scene. That was just not cool. Hadn't seen something like that in a movie before, so it was impressive to see, and it looked awesome. But I think once a vault that size would get into motion and swing about, the cars would be pulled with it, and not be able to steer it around and maneuver it like they were doing. But hey, this is a movie after all.
The acting in the movie was good, despite me not being a fan of Vin Diesel, then he did do it well enough. As did the other people on the cast list. It was cool to see Dwayne Johnson in this movie, though I didn't really buy into it when his character joined up with the criminals. That was just too unreal.
If they manage to keep up this level of intensity and action in the 6th part, scheduled for 2013, then we will certainly be in for one impressive ride.
For a non-particular fan of the "Fast and Furious" series, this 5th installment impressed me quite a lot.