Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Dwayne Johnson return to the big screen for Fast & Furious 6, but is the sequel worth heading to the theater for? Watch our video review to find out just how fast and furiously you should be snatching a ticket to see the action flick.
In case you thought it couldn't get any faster or more furious than Fast Five, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and co. are ready to prove you wrong in Fast & Furious 6. The original stars — including a resurrected Michelle Rodriguez — return for the sixth film in the speedy series, directed by Justin Lin. Things have changed for the crew since we last saw them: Brian (Walker) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) are now parents, while retired "Uncle Dom" (Diesel) is moping around, but they're soon enough cast back into the world of extreme racing. This time they're legal, working on the same side as the government with federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). The story may be different, but the energy and edge-of-your-seat action is familiar in the best way possible.
The movie opens with a montage of the previous films, so even if you're not a seasoned viewer, you'll still get a little tutorial on the characters. Fans should be pleased to see all the crew members (Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, and Sung Kang) assemble after spending time in different tropical paradises — after Fast Five's heist, they're not exactly welcome in the United States. When Hobbs comes knocking, he makes them an offer they can't refuse: help him track down criminal mastermind Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), head of a dangerous racing crew not unlike their own. In exchange, not only will he clear their names, but also, he'll lead them to Dom's former girlfriend, the presumed-dead-but-now-very-much-alive Letty (Rodriguez). There are several solid plot twists to keep you interested, but the real star of the movie is the action. Find out why after the jump.
Since 2001, the Fast and the Furious franchise has been known for three things: slammin' action, lightning-quick cars, and impossibly large biceps. The May 24 release date of Fast & Furious 6 got me thinking about all the sexy dudes we've met along the way. Leads Paul Walker and Vin Diesel have come a long way, but how could we forget about Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, and Dwayne Johnson? Check out the ridiculously sexy evolution of The Fast and the Furious.
We're asking Hollywood — can you smell what The Rock is cooking? He's got box office winners like Pain & Gain and Fast &Furious 6 plus a new HBO series — and it's his birthday! Even from his hospital bed, Dwayne Johnson has been dominating lately.
Director Michael Bay trades in the Transformers for body builders in his latest (and definitely not greatest), Pain & Gain. The movie is based on the morbidly outlandish true story of the Sun Gym Gang, headed by Miami personal trainer Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg). Obsessed with the American Dream but sick of working hard while catering to the rich and famous, Daniel hatches a plan to capture and extort one of his wealthy clients (Tony Shalhoub). The extraordinary real details of the case (think explosions, barbecued body parts, and a stripper who believes she's been invited to join the CIA) are bizarre and fascinating. It's a shame the movie is so overloaded with silly, gratuitous slow-motion shots and over-the-top action sequences that the style overshadows the story.
The film takes place in the early '90s in Miami, and the vibrant colors reflect the era but not the dark story that Pain & Gain is telling. When manipulative Daniel convinces ex-addict Paul (Dwayne Johnson) and roided-out pal Adrian (Anthony Mackie) to help him with his plan, the ensuing disaster is gruesome, dark, and depressing. What nobody ever told Daniel is that to achieve success, you have to be smart as well as a hard worker. (Wahlberg does however, look amazing, even giving a tongue-in-cheek shout-out to his modeling days when he sports Calvin Klein briefs in one scene.) The movie could have ended several times before it does, but it just keeps going, as the details get progressively sloppier and the plot holes keep piling up. Get more of my thoughts on Pain & Gain after the jump.
Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie get extreme(ly muscular) in Michael Bay's new crime movie Pain & Gain. Wahlberg stars in the true story as a personal trainer who recruits his friends to help him capture and extort a man. Watch our review to find out if it's a watch, pass, or rent!
Mark Wahlberg hit the red carpet in Miami last night to premiere his April 26 film, Pain & Gain. He was joined by costars Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, and Ed Harris for the film's debut down south. Mark and the gang also attended a press conference earlier in the day to discuss the movie, which follows a trio of bodybuilders involved in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme gone wrong in Florida.
Missing from the cast's South Beach stop was their leading lady Rebel Wilson. She's busy prepping for her upcoming duties as host of the 2013 MTV Movie Awards this Sunday. This year's show has plenty of fun in store. Rebel will be joined on stage by celebs including Brad Pitt, Kim Kardashian, and Zac Efron — get ready for the excitement with a look back at highlights from MTV Movie Awards past.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is out in theaters this week after a bit of a delay, presumably to improve the movie, but after seeing it, I wonder how bad it was before. Filled with tanks, explosions, buff bodies, and 3D (the newest must-have accessory for action flicks), the sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra has all the elements of a great action movie. Unfortunately, it's a barrage of unintentionally hilarious dialogue from stars Dwayne Johnson and Adrianne Palicki, unbelievable gadgetry, and plot holes. Thankfully, there is some standout action, and yes, Channing Tatum appears, but it's not enough to constitute a trip to the theater. Here are my reasons for why you can skip this sequel.
See more of my reasons after the jump.
Channing Tatum joined Dwayne Johnson, Adrianne Palicki, and more of his G.I. Joe Retaliation costars for the film's London premiere today. He dressed up in a suit to debut the film in the UK ahead of its March 27 release overseas. Channing has special ties to the city since he and pregnant wife Jenna Dewan announced that their first child will be born in London while he is on location shooting his next project.
Along with his latest film, he's also promoting the upcoming MTV Movie Awards. Channing stars in a new promo video with Rebel Wilson that was released last week. It could be a big night for the star since he's nominated for three awards for Magic Mike, including best male performance, best shirtless performance, and best musical moment, at the April 14 show.
