‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Action Romp In Theaters Friday, August 2nd
Photo Credit: Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
Looking for the big action blockbuster summer film well look no more because Hobbs & Shaw will be exploding on screens Friday, August 2nd. After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the Fast & Furious franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle. Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs, and Deckard Shaw in Fast & Furious Presents Hobbs & Shaw.
Photo Credit: Frank Masi/Universal Pictures
So it’s a storyline that has appeared in numerous films two guys not liking each other but forced to get along to save the world. And let’s throw in the girl that needs saving. The dialogue is a bit colorful, as they trade insults making lots of references to size and stature. Umm…does size matter, you might think so after watching this movie. The film does not take itself seriously, and each frame reinforces that tone.
Vanessa Kirby as Hattie Shaw/Photo Photo Credit: Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
The movie kicks off with an exceptional high octane robbery, but things go wrong, and Hattie(played by Vanessa Kirby) injects herself with the lethal virus. The villain Brixton Lorr (IDRIS ELBA) will not stop until the virus is in his hands. It turns out Hattie is Shaw’s estranged sister, and he has to save her. Hoobs and Shaw have to put aside their differences to rescue Hattie, which is easier said than done. Hattie, by the way, is quite an Alpha female and fits within the male energy. I suppose the message to take away from the movie is the importance of family and doing what is right. In this installation, we get to see a more personal history of Hoobs and Shaw dealing with family issues.
Idris Elba as Brixton Lorr /Photo Credit: Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
The film has some mind-blowing stunts, in particular, a high-speed chase motorcycle chase where Brixton slides sideways under a giant truck without a scratch is impossible but works in this crazy film. There many more of these unbelievable stunts throughout that makes Hobbs and Shaw so much fun to watch. I especially liked the red lipstick on Eiza González(Madame M the badass harms dealer) and the fact it never comes off with the deep kiss she plants on Shaw when he shows up for her help.
Eiza González as Madame M/Photo Credit: Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
I also enjoyed the end sequence when Hobbs heads home to Samoa for help from his estranged brother Jonah(Cliff Curtis) — allowing the filmmakers to shed a bit of culture of the Samoan warrior spirit as the family hunkers down to battle with Samoan swords and spears.
The Production Notes
The rivalry and tension between them allowed Morgan to push the comedy, which had always been present in his Fast films, to the forefront. Johnson immediately saw the potential for a riotous action-comedy. “The Fast franchise is more of an action-drama,” he says. “It’s big; it’s fun; it’s exciting. With Hobbs & Shaw, we’re still in the Fast world, but the premise allows us to pivot creatively into the action-comedy realm, which works on every level.”
Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham)/Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Daniel Smith/Universal Pictures
Statham also saw an opportunity to dive deeper into Shaw’s history and agreed to not only star in Hobbs & Shaw but to come aboard as a producer as well. Shaw is still the same man, but the film shifts our perspective of him. “We finally get to learn a lot more about Shaw,” Statham says. “I’ve always regarded him as a guy who has very strong principles. His morals are firm and respectable, and he takes care of the family no matter what. Shaw is the guy who goes to any lengths to do the right thing for his sister and tries to heal the family rift. His ‘bad guy’ label is misplaced.”
The film does not try to reinvent the wheel; they focus on riding the bicycle well. With some fantastic stunts and impressive fight scenes, you don’t have to see any previous films from the franchise to enjoy Fast and Furious presents Hoobs & Shaw.
Directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2) from a script by longtime Fast & Furious narrative architect Chris Morgan. The film is produced by Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Chris Morgan, and Hiram Garcia. The executive producers are Dany Garcia, Kelly McCormick, Ethan Smith, Ainsley Davies, and Steven Chasman.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw opens in theaters Friday, August 2nd
