Furious 7 (9/15/2015)

Rated PG-13 for prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and mayhem, suggestive content and brief strong language.

Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Tony Jaa, Ludacris, Ronda Rousey, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster and Kurt Russell

Directed by James Wan (The Conjuring, Insidious and Saw)

There are two things that make this franchise a runaway success…crazy fast cars and a crazy great cast.

After defeating Owen Shaw and his crew, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and the rest of the crew are able to return to the United States and live normal lives again as they had wanted. However, Owen’s older brother, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), is after Dom and his crew, seeking revenge for his brother’s death and putting the entire crew in danger once more.

I am thoroughly convinced of two things: 1. You need to check your brain at the door in order to enjoy Furious 7…and 2. Some people will never enjoy a Fast and Furious film.

You cannot THINK about this movie while you are watching it. I mean, can five cars parachute (yes, I said parachute) out of a plane and land on a single lane road? No way…but it’s pretty cool watching it happen? Can a car jump between…no through, 3 different skyscrapers? Of course not, but I’m telling you, it was one of the coolest effects I have ever seen.

And before you try to tell me that amazing special effects does not a great movie make (which I agree with by the way), please know that Furious 7 has a pretty decent story and an amazing cast.

The story involves the one and only Jason Statham who, in my opinion, is quite possibly the coolest man on the planet. And that’s saying something about a guy who is in a movie with Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and Paul Walker. Between his cool as nice demeanor and fighting skills, Jason is the perfect addition to the franchise. Oh and did I mention Kurt Russell is also in the movie?

So besides some cool moves and great one-liners, they have some amazing chemistry. You can tell they had a blast making the movie and I had a blast watching it.

Finally we have to talk about the emotional tribute to Paul Walker at the end of the film. This really should be a SPOILER for anyone, but if it is I’m sorry. I knew what was coming, I knew they were going to tug on my heartstrings…and I still got emotional watching the movie come to a close. Well done cast a crew…well done.

So why not a higher score? Because just like all the other films, there is way too much (completely unnecessary) skin. Three different times we see several women in very revealing clothing dancing and showing off. My 13 year old son just asked me today if he could go see this movie with a few of his friends. I wish those scenes weren’t in there so I could say yes.

The cast is great, the story and director are great, the special effects are …AMAZING, but the sexualization of women makes it impossible to give it a higher score…so it’s a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Official MPAA Rating is PG-13 for prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and destruction, mayhem, suggestive content, and brief strong language.

There is a ton of violence and explosions, but the violence is not graphic or gory. Most of the scenes involve intense driving and a lot of crashes.

None of that would make me answer that question with a no. However there are several scenes where women are shown wearing vey skimpy bikinis, thongs, short skirts, etc.

UNLIKE SOME OF THE EARLY MOVIES IN THE SERIES, THIS ONE IS NOT RATED FOR ANY SEXUAL CONTENT – but parents not wanting to expose their children to sexualized images of women should be weary. The entire movie is not geared around sexuality but the few opportunities they take to show women as sex objects are highly emphasized.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. How would you describe the relationship between Dominic and Brian?


2. Why do you think they are so close?

Read Proverbs 18:24

Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.


3. In your opinion, what qualities do those kinds of friends need to have?


4. Do you have friends like that?


5. How can you be that kind of friend?