Fast X First Reviews: 'Popcorn Lunacy,' Critics Say (2024)

Fans of Dom and crew, get ready for The Fast and the Furious franchise’s final lap: a trilogy of films that starts with Fast X. The film’s cast is stacked with returning stars Vin Diesel,Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, and more, as well as new addition Jason Momoa.

The film series has proved to be critic-proof over its 22-year history — fans will watch no matter what — but even the negative reviews of Fast X recognize that Momoa’s performance as the movie’s villain is one of the highlights of the entire franchise.

Here’s what critics are saying about Fast X.

(Photo by Universal Pictures)

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Is Fast X another awesome installment of the franchise?

“Fast X is certainly a must-watch for any die-hard fan of the franchise.”
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

“Fans of the Fast and Furious franchise are sure to enjoy the latest model.”
– Kaely Monahan, Arizona Republic

“I couldn’t have enjoyed it more if the theater pumped in laughing gas and French fries.”
– Sherin Nicole, Geek Girl Riot

“Fast X is packed with all of the unbelievable, high-octane action you’ve come to expect and love.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

It’s a film that somehow finds new and fabulously silly things to do with cars, while — Momoa’s questionable villain aside — being exactly what you’d expect.
–Dan Jolin, Empire Magazine

“Fast X is what it is, and that is an absurdly fun popcorn movie.”
– Simon Thompson, The Playlist

With a foot in the past, one in the future and one on the gas, “Fast X” is pure popcorn lunacy. Was that too many feet? Oh, excuse us, you wanted logic?
–Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

It’s time to hang up the car keys for good.
–Adam Graham, Detroit News

How does it compare to the other Fast and Furious movies?

“The most ridiculous Fast and Furious film yet.”
–Jake Cole, Little White Lies

“The Fast & Furious movies may be past their prime era, but Fast X at the very least makes efforts to deviate from the formula.”
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend

An F&F movie that is both a one-upped continuation of the franchise and a deeply affectionate, powerfully weird tribute to the series itself.
–Barry Hertz, Globe and Mail

“It’s a film rich with dazzling and stunning set pieces that leave The Fate of the Furious and F9 in the dust.”
– David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

“Audiences expect mind-blowing action and intrigue, tender moments involving family, and some humor, but this is perhaps the first entry with moments where the comedy is much darker.”
– Simon Thompson, The Playlist

“It only took us 10 movies, but Fast & Furious has become a parody of itself.”
– Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

See Also

Fast X | Rotten TomatoesEverything We Know About Fast XFast X movie review & film summary (2023) | Roger Ebert‘Fast X’ Review: Massive ‘Fast & Furious’ Endgame Explodes Into View with an Outrageous New Villain

What are some other similar movies?

“It’s the Avengers: Infinity War of the entire franchise.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“Fast X has an Infinity War-like feel.”
– David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

“Fast X [is] this series’ Infinity War, especially in how it delivers a villain who is more compelling and fun to watch than any of the protagonists.”
– Jon Negroni, InBetweenDrafts

“It’s very much the Avengers: Infinity War of this franchise, putting a great deal of focus on the villain.”
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

Fast X suffers from the same condition as latter-day MCU movies, where it’s so laden with internal mythology that it feels more like homework than popcorn entertainment.
–Katie Rife, Polygon

Is Jason Momoa a great addition to the franchise?

“Momoa, it turns out, is one of the best things to ever happen to the franchise.”
– Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

“It is Jason Momoa’s bad guy Dante who truly makes this a must-see blockbuster experience.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“Momoa knows what movie he’s in.”
– Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

“Jason Momoa deserves a standing ovation for his zany, campy, hilarious, and menacing performance.”
– David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

“While Jason Momoa’s vengeance-fueled conductor of chaos gives the picture the NOS boost it needs, it’s barely enough to win the race.”
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

So Dante is a proper villain?

“Dante is the best villain to be unleashed in these movies, and it’s because of both his special personality and how his presence shakes everything up.”
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend

“The most formidable foe that The Fast Saga has ever seen…the Joker of the Fast and Furious series.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“He’s the best villain by far…Dante makes the Joker look like a depressive, and he’s so damn entertaining that he lifts the series to new heights.”
– Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

“Momoa’s electric, eccentric villain is a full-color mimeograph of Nicholson’s Joker turned loose in a Joel Schumacher film.”
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

“The established camp and insanity of the Fast Saga is what makes his derivative Jack Sparrow Joker persona work far more than it should.”
– Jon Negroni, InBetweenDrafts

Does anyone else stand out?

“Cena is another standout, displaying charm and solid comic chops.”
– Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

“John Cena’s Jakob is perhaps the next most entertaining of the bunch.”
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

“The return of John Cena is welcomed as his strengths are on full display, and his comedic timing and chemistry with Leo Abelo Perry is one of Fast X’s highlights.”
– David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

Is the action amazing?

“Of course, the set pieces are breathtaking ballets of mayhem.”
– Simon Thompson, The Playlist

“From a technical perspective, the effects are truly — to use an overused word — astounding.”
– Todd McCarthy, Deadline Hollywood Daily

“This flick unleashes some of the series’ best action sequences.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“Fast X shines brightest in its action set pieces…led by a bombastic sequence in Rome that rivals the best in the series thus far.”
– David Gonzalez, The Cinematic Reel

“It somewhat peaks in terms of massive set pieces early on with a Rome sequence that does its job and then some.”
– Jon Negroni, InBetweenDrafts

“Transporter” director Louis Leterrier…puts his pedal to the metal, keeping things moving so quickly — bodies and vehicles are perpetually in motion, drivin’, fightin’, explodin’ or dyin’ — that there’s little time to worry about how far-fetched it is.
–Cary Darling, Houston Chronicle

“The stunts are just as wild and ridiculous as you’d expect 10 movies into Fast & Furious. But with each newly absurd setpiece, Fast X manages to stretch the limits of the keenest Fast & Furious fan’s willingness to suspend their disbelief.”
– Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

Was Louis Leterrier a good choice to take over as director?

“Leterrier should be given the credit [he] deserves…his episodic TV work has given him the skills needed to not only deftly weave this web of arcs but nail the cliffhanger.”
– Simon Thompson, The Playlist

“Louis Leterrier knows how to stage these massive sequences, and he keeps the momentum going with plenty of pieces in play.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“Leterrier’s bad with story but reasonably strong on the action front.”
– Peter Debruge, Variety

Outlandish mayhem needs better visual stylists than Leterrier.
–Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

How is the plot?

“Fast X’s plot is more of an excuse to jump from one action set piece to the next…it’s one of the Fast franchise’s more simple and easier to follow plots.”
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

“Most of the time, it’s hard to follow why Dom and company are doing what they’re doing.”
– Peter Debruge, Variety

“Screenwriters Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin rely on lazy conveniences time and time again, letting them guide not only the plot, but also anything that resembles poignancy.”
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

[It’s] engaging in the oldest trick in the book, using flamboyance (read: queerness) to signal evil. Pitted against the raging paternalism of Dom Toretto’s singular guiding purpose to protect his family at all costs, the moral edict is crystal clear.
–Jude Dry, indieWire

Leterrier and company understand that they have been freed of such constraints, offering up a live-action cartoon that doesn’t have to make rational or spatial sense as long as there’s emotion and excitement, two elements Fast X has by the tankful
–Alonso Duralde, The Film Verdict

What are some of the problems with Fast X?

“It provides very little stakes to get invested in, specifically when it comes to the emotional crux.”
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

“The biggest shortcoming of Fast X comes from the lack of emotional stakes.”
– Ethan Anderton, Slashfilm

“While Fast X is an overall improvement for the trajectory of the series, there is also plenty about the film that is either straight-up stupid or just comes across as lazy.”
– Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend

“Fast X is big, loud, dumb, and on occasion, fun. Its biggest problem is that it wants to be more.”
– Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

“A certain former Saturday Night Live castmember appears in an elongated, unfunny episode that stops the picture cold.”
– Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

Will it make us excited for the next Fast and Furious movie?

“It successfully leaves you wondering what’s going to happen next in Fast & Furious 11.”
– Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend

This movie is good, silly popcorn fun — with a couple of scenes at the end (stay put during the first half of the credits) indicating even better times ahead.
–Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

56% Fast X (2023) (Universal Pictures)

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