Most critics enjoy Fast X for what it is and say so without much embarrassment. The praise gathers almost entirely around Jason Momoa’s villain, described again and again as flamboyant, camp and unhinged, and credited with giving a tired series a jolt; several reviews call him the best thing the franchise has had in years. Louis Leterrier’s action comes next, the Rome bomb sequence in particular, with the scale and physics-defying stunts admired even by those who find the whole thing daft. The reservations are consistent too: an overstuffed cast, too many subplots, a cliffhanger ending that leaves many feeling they have watched half a film, and a sense that the series is repeating itself. The spread is fairly narrow, from warm to lukewarm, with The Times the clearest dissenter, calling it a jaded and bloated mess, and Den of Geek finding it lumbering and tedious whenever Momoa is off screen.
T
The Telegraph
17 May 2023 · ★★★★
80
Fast X is supremely trashy and wildly over-the-top entertainment, with Jason Momoa providing a flamboyant new villain who ups the ante considerably. Director Louis Leterrier grabs every opportunity for chaotic, globe-trotting action set pieces.
It's the greatest F&F fans could hope for, with absurd scale and action. Praises the slick, daring action sequences directed by Leterrier and Momoa's camp energy.
The review praises it as outrageously entertaining and entertainingly outrageous, crediting Leterrier with bringing fresh energy and inventiveness while reviving elements from earlier films like Fast Five. Momoa’s flamboyant villain and the Rome bomb set piece stand out as highlights amid the massive ensemble.
Highlights the film’s massive scale and outrageous new villain as it unites allies and enemies in a Marvel-style setup for a potential finale, calling the action sequences spectacular.
The critic finds the film utterly ridiculous yet kinda brilliant, with new director Leterrier injecting energy into the formula through escalating, preposterous car stunts like a flaming bomb in Rome. Momoa’s flamboyant villain is a mixed bag and somewhat irksome, but the series remains exactly what fans expect.
The critic describes it as a noisy, incoherent yet undeniably fun romp with Momoa’s high-camp villain performance as a highlight, delivering stunts that violate the laws of physics. Plot holes and repetitive action are acknowledged, but the energy and tongue-in-cheek tone make it entertaining like a grown-up Wacky Races.
The review calls it a bloated swizz and cheeky triumph that proves the franchise hasn’t run out of road, thanks to Momoa’s larky villain and Diesel’s loyalty to the ensemble. Action set pieces are solid if not as outrageous as prior entries, and the inclusive family atmosphere keeps it engaging.
Credits Vin Diesel with reasserting himself as the franchise’s heart amid the death- and logic-defying sequel, while noting Jason Momoa’s over-the-top villain adds chaotic energy to the hectic mess.
Calls the film a decent diversion despite feeling like sustaining a head injury, praising its awareness of absurdity and Momoa’s standout villainous performance.
The film returns to the giddy excesses of earlier entries with cartoonishly destructive action sequences, though it struggles under the weight of too many subplots and characters. Louis Leterrier's direction leans into comic absurdity but the oversized villain feels uneven.
The critic finds it surprisingly one of the most enjoyable entries, embracing the franchise's absurdity. Singles out Jason Momoa's hilarious, over-the-top villain performance for praise.
Partial success with extreme highs and lows; fractured structure. Praises Momoa's flamboyant villain and exhilarating action, complains about sidelined characters and lack of cohesion.
The review praises Louis Leterrier and Jason Momoa for injecting energy and thrills that deliver what fans expect, including silly set pieces and signature drag races. It faults the jumbled lore, odd character treatment, and sense that the franchise may be running on fumes.
The critic sees the film as a familiar, reheated greatest-hits collection lacking fresh ideas, despite some goofy action enlivened by Jason Momoa's flamboyant villain. It ends on an unsatisfying cliffhanger that feels more like a financial move than a proper close to the story.
Praises Jason Momoa’s unhinged, entertaining villain performance as the standout that lifts the film, while noting the overstuffed cast and absurd action sequences make it a diverting entry aimed squarely at fans.
The review finds the franchise struggling to sustain thrills after so many entries, with over-the-top elements now feeling formulaic and the acting notably subdued. It notes multiple plot strands and a cliffhanger ending but concedes it did not bore the critic.
The latest entry is a total mess and a jaded, lackadaisical patch-up job on a bloated franchise. Louis Leterrier surrounds the material with deadening emotional gunk after taking over from the original director.
The critic calls the film an overcrowded, half-finished story hampered by sloppy storytelling and a marketing-driven cliffhanger, though Jason Momoa's flamboyant villain and some action sequences provide energy. It criticizes the lack of a proper ending and questions the need for more sequels.
The review lauds the high-octane action and global spectacle that up the ante, prevailing over the story's ludicrousness. Jason Momoa's unhinged villain is singled out for bringing humor and making this the funniest entry in the series.
The review praises the high-octane action and especially Jason Momoa's unhinged villain as making the film outrageous, must-see entertainment. Some side plots and missing emotional core are noted as drawbacks.
Clever cameos and especially Jason Momoa's delicious new villain make this the best Fast & Furious movie for years, though it feels like only half a film due to the cliffhanger ending.
The critic finds that the film revives the franchise by positioning the heroes as underdogs against a formidable villain, with fun set pieces and strong character moments. Jason Momoa’s colorful, campy antagonist is highlighted as the standout that gives the series new drive.
An overstuffed blockbuster that doesn't fully satisfy as a complete story but delivers ludicrous entertainment and spectacle, elevated by Jason Momoa's standout villain performance as the series' best yet.
The critic views Fast X as pantomime entertainment that delivers loud action and silliness but ultimately feels exhausting and overstuffed. Momoa's flamboyant, camp villain performance is singled out as the film's highlight.
The film is a lumbering and tedious sit due to overly serious plotting and familiar beats, with the exception of Jason Momoa's flamboyant and terrific villain performance that stands out as the highlight.
Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate
