Fast Five is a thin excuse for action. Its messy script has illogical motivations, contrivances, absent tension, invincible protagonists, MacGuffins, lame detective work, clunky dialogue, glorified violence, tropes, abandoned threads, misogyny, blunt exposition, boring villains, annoying humor, empty characters, unearned romance, vague explanations, inconsistencies, inappropriate drama, and a wish fulfillment ending. Its emotional core is underdeveloped. The acting is often wooden (Diesel) or try-hard (Tyrese), yet Walker shows chemistry, The Rock brings charisma, and there's brief range. It isn't emotionally or mentally engaging, but at least Fast Five is self-aware about that.
Technically, Fast Five has strengths. Its cast is very popular. The sound packs in action, stings, ringing, and quiet. The practical-minded effects utilize wires, pyrotechnics, green screens, incredibly elaborate stunts, and fair CGI. Its imagery offers superficial framing, movement, mounts, and lighting. The editing is a bit bloated and overcut, but also includes dips to black, montages, jump cuts, pacing, cross cuts, inserts, and slo-mo. Its generic production design conveys location and action elements. The music is forgettable but suitable. Its tone gets erratic yet usually maintains the shlocky fun. Overall, Fast Five is shallow entertainment with redeemable craft.
Writing: 2/10
Direction: 6/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 9/10
Overall Score: 6.1/10
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