Oh, that Vin Diesel. Apart from the recent reports of some serious beef between him and Fast and the Furious franchise co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (they’ve apparently needed to be kept apart during the press tour), he’s generally considered a rather swell guy by all accounts. And he’s just become even sweller… more swell?… the swellest? He’s awesome, is what I’m saying!
The reason for my praise is that during a presentation at CinemaCon yesterday, Diesel surprised the audience in attendance by not just showing a snippet of scenes from the upcoming The Fate of the Furious – the eighth film in the super successful blockbuster series – but by actually screening the movie in its entirety! While full reviews are still embargoed until closer to the film’s official release in a couple of weeks, plenty of the press in attendance took to social media to post their initial reactions.
This movie sees F. Gary Gray – who recently shot to fame directing Straight Outta Compton – taking the directing reins over from Fast 7’s Justin Lin. Gray is no stranger to *cough* diesel-powered car movies as he did direct the 2003 remake of the The Italian Job, but he’s certainly never helmed anything of this scale before. With Lin upping the ante on both the action with insane set pieces, and the emotion thanks to working the real-life passing away of star Paul Walker into the narrative in a genuinely touching way, Gray sure as hell has a high mark to hit. And apparently he hits it well!
Everybody raves about Jason Statham stealing scenes by showing off his comedic talents again, and The Rock being the ultimate Rock. Heck, apparently the script is even very well written with some truly surprising twists! Most importantly, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!
Fate of the Furious is everything you want it to be and a ton of fun. @TheRock is a straight up superhero in the film and I loved it. pic.twitter.com/uz9QgnhVZ3
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) March 29, 2017
The Fate of the Furious takes the ridiculousness of the franchise to a whole new level, yet feels very different. Should be a gigantic hit.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) March 29, 2017
I adored every ridiculous, silly, charming, absurd, fun second of The Fate of the Furious.
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) March 29, 2017
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS is no joke. Doubles down on action, emotion, intensity, humor &, of course, family. The NYC stuff is off the chain. pic.twitter.com/K3aeviUYCf
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) March 29, 2017
Loved @TheRock and Jason Statham in FATE OF THE FURIOUS. Their characters really popped; great dialogue & fight scenes #F8
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) March 29, 2017
Yessss #fateofthefurious is perfection. So much fun. #cinemacon
— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) March 29, 2017
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS features some great action set pieces but I think I may be too old for this franchise, which just isn't the same now
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) March 29, 2017
The Fate of the Furious is another winning entry in the franchise. Crazy, fun, and yet very different feeling. I laughed, I cried, I cheered
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) March 29, 2017
#fateofthefurious is exactly what you buy your ticket for. A few fun “so bad they’re good moments” and Statham has a movie-stealing scene
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) March 29, 2017
The Fate of the Furious also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood, Charlize Theron, and Helen Mirren. It is scheduled for release on 14 April.
Last Updated: March 31, 2017
Ottokie
March 31, 2017 at 11:41
But I want it to be a racing movie without guns and steroids 🙁
Matthew Holliday
April 1, 2017 at 22:52
This.
Where are the Supras, 240sx’s and other generally stupidly tuned versions of real people cars?
I want a storyline about drivers, and the cars they built, not one about super soldier of fortune mercenary xXx Vin Diesel, where most of the cast are driving showroom supercars.
Magoo
March 31, 2017 at 11:48
Another surprise!
But I have to wonder, how long before these “surprise screenings” are shown to fake twitter accounts.