Slick, Poignant

Conspicuously African-American to a fault, with poorly placed beer product placements, and with a poignant send-off to the cornerstone Paul Walker, (Fast and) Furious 7 keeps the franchise alive and well through the level of SFX and make-believe that is only possible of Hollywood. A sliver of a storyline, that is totally overshadowed by science-defying stunts, the highlights of which appear to be driving off buildings and cliffs without terminal impacts to man or machine. This one holds it together – suspend all pretension to belief, and just enjoy

14/20

Race It

Wanted fugitives Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) get a new lease of life as they are asked by Agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) to take out a criminal organization led by Owen (Luke Evans) in exchange for clearing their criminal records. Its time for showdown in (mainly) London – with fast cars and a bevy of beauties – including Mia (Jordana Brwester), an estranged Letty (Michelle Rodriguez – permanent female Hispanic lead action fixture), Gisele (Gal Gadot) and the turncoat Riley (Gina Carano). Spellbinding (though logically and scientifically inexplicable) action sequences and engaging car chase scenes – watched this one in a paid preview – yes, was on fast forward, much like everything else in Fast & Furious 6. Not to forget, the movie ends with a cameo by Jason Statham (no less) in Tokyo – the promise of much more to come

13.5/20