The best dumb fun you can have.

Rating: 8/10 (3 April 2015)

Let's be honest, the Fast & Furious franchise is dumb. The plots are nothing short of ludicrous, the acting is often laughable and the dialogue is frequently atrocious. But I fricken love it. There's an unbridled exuberance throughout the series – especially since the fourth instalment – that is infectious, and F&F7 carries that torch capably. The stunts are obviously numero uno on everybody's list, both crew and audience alike, and they don't disappoint, despite being increasingly reliant on CGI. Pushing the limits even further in a cinematic universe where silly things like real-world physics are gleefully disregarded, the set pieces flow with amazing frequency, leaving you breathless for a sizable chunk of the movie. Since The Rock's inclusion in the fifth chapter the amount of fights have grown as well, and here we are treated to numerous entertaining fisticuffs that sees The Rock vs The Stath, Big Vin vs The Stath, and a whole army vs The Stath, to name only three. Speaking of The Stath (Jason Statham for those playing at home), his smooth yet ruthless killer is easily the best villain this series has seen, and he's treated to an appropriately fantastic entrance via a clever opening credits sequence. The other new players are more of a mixed bag though. Kurt Russell is delightful as a scenery-chewing Government official and Nathalie Emmanuel slots into Vin's gang with ease, but Djimon Hounsou and Ronda Rousey are completely wasted with underdeveloped and boring roles. The old crew – Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludicrous and The Rock – offer much of the same stuff that has made them so well liked over the years, because, you know, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Which brings us to the late Paul Walker. After dying in a horrific car crash whilst filming was on a hiatus, the filmmakers have employed every trick in the book, including body doubles, CGI, and use of stock footage, to successfully deliver a well-rounded farewell to Walker. Signs of franchise fatigue are nowhere to be found in this seventh entry and, despite losing one of its beloved members, will undoubtedly be back for episode eight. And nine. And ten.