2 Hobbs 2 Shaw
Hobbs and Shaw is one of the most ridiculous, over the top, bonkers films I’ve seen this year. The illogical action sequences, the cheesy one-liners and cliched romantic subplot are all here and yet this Fast and Furious spin-off shrugs off all of this to deliver one of the most entertaining films of the year. With a self-aware tone and a title that finally embraces its own ridiculousness, Hobbs and Shaw delivers the perfect summer blockbuster.
Existing separately to the Fast and Furious franchise, but with enough backstory and in-jokes to engage fans, Hobbs and Shaw brings lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw together to form an unlikely duo to tackle a familiar face from the past, complete with bulletproof armour and a Terminator-esque ruthlessness. Blending elements of the superhero genre with more conventional high-speed action, the stakes are raised further when a super virus infects a rogue agent and threatens to wipe out humanity.
As the film progresses, the initial split screens and contrasting shots of both protagonists blend together as Hobbs and Shaw trade blows – and insults – toward the climactic finale, taking part in the sun-kissed tropics of Samoa. It’s here where the film’s final act really embraces how bonkers the series has become as a helicopter chase and sudden weather changes feel like nods to a bygone action era. In a way, Hobbs and Shaw almost feels like a parody of itself, with just enough elements of a Mission Impossible heist to prevent it falling into pure goofball comedy territory. It’s a fine line but one that this film walks confidently throughout its 2 hour+ run time.
Armed with an eclectic hip hop soundtrack – such is the staple of this franchise – Hobbs and Shaw still maintains the same feel and tone of the Furious films but its two lead stars absolutely steal the show. Hearing Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson trading insults, blows and banter is genuinely one of the highlights of this film. It also helps that there’s a few surprise cameos (which I won’t divulge here for spoilers) that work perfectly with the mood of the film and help add some depth to the charismatic charm both Hobbs and Shaw radiate.
Hobbs and Shaw is not a perfect film and those going into this expecting a thought provoking or slickly produced flick like John Wick 3 will be left wanting. Hobbs and Shaw is exactly what you’d expect this sort of film to be, with enough surprises and charisma to keep it going through to its crazy, over-the-top ending. It’s simply a big, dumb action movie and I mean that in the best possible way. It perfectly captures the true essence of a summer blockbuster, making it well worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a visual treat of explosive action.
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Verdict - 7.5/10
7.5/10