SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — F9: The Fast Saga
2.5 out of 5 Stars
Director: Justin Lin
Writer: Daniel Casey, Justin Lin, Alfredo Botello
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, John Cena
Genre: Action, Adventure
Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language

(from left) Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) – Synopsis: Dominic and Letty are pulled from their off-the-grid existence when part of a technological weapon is stolen.

Review: Every review that I’ve written for the Fast & Furious films starts with the caveat that I did truly enjoy 2009’s “Fast Five.” With each subsequent sequel, the franchise has fully bought into the idea that they must push the absurdity of the action to a new level of impossibility. It’s not an uncommon path for actions films. You could say that the James Bond and Mission: Impossible films have a history of doing the same thing. However, with the Fast & Furious films that ascent into lunacy was accelerated. With 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious” the franchise reached the inevitable point of self-parody. There’s nothing quite like jumping the submarine.

(from left) Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Dom (Vin Diesel) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

Having conquered land, sea, and air, there was only one place left to take the Fast & Furious franchise: Outer space. But they wouldn’t, right? That would be a step too far.

(from left) Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

Welcome to “F9: The Fast Saga,” a film that has moved the franchise past its self-parody phase into an uncharted cinematic experience that pushes so far past the line of incredulity that their really isn’t any point in trying to take any aspect of the film seriously. Not even its constant tribute to the loyalty of family. To be fair, I’m not sure the franchise ever asked its audience to take anything seriously.

(from left) Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Dom (Vin Diesel) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

If you’re a fan of the recent films, I suspect that you’ll enjoy “F9” without reservation. You’ll look past the terrible dialogue, incomprehensible action sequences, the questionable performances, the nonsense of a truly strange out-of-body sequence and buy into the idea that being openly meta about your flaws is the same thing as fixing them. Half the film is essentially rewriting the franchise’s history just to try and make this film make sense. It’s constantly shouting, “You didn’t see what you saw!”

(from left) Dom (Vin Diesel), Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen) and Jakob (John Cena) with additional cast members in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

Oh, hi Han. Welcome back Sung Kang?

If you watched the trailer and thought, “This looks awesome.” You’ll probably think that the movie is awesome. If you thought, “This looks like accidental satire of the action genre,” I’d agree with you. Everything everything after "Furious 7" is 100% fan service. I assume that's great for the fans.

(from left) Dom (Vin Diesel) and Jakob (John Cena) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

I don’t know how you top the utter ridiculousness of “F9.” They will try. For some that’s part of the fun. Maybe the crossover event where Xander Cage and Dominic Toretto exist in the same universe is only two or three summers away. Twice the Vin Diesel for the price of one.

(from left) Elle (Anna Sawai), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) in F9, co-written and directed by Justin Lin. (Photo: Universal)

I’d prefer a Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Elle (Anna Sawai) spin off. You could even include Hattie (Vanessa Kirby) from “Hobbs & Shaw.”