Fast & Furious 5 [DVD] [2011]

My hopes were not high. To be honest if it hadn't been for work I really wouldn't have gone. And what was I expecting? Well it's a sequel for a start off and a part 5 at that OMG! There would be action scenes edited together so fast they made no sence (Quantum of Solace is a perfect example), the the music would be so loud and the camera work so jerky and horrible I'd get a headache, there would be murky dull photography.... oh there's so much wrong with this genre of films today. But F5 proved me wrong! The action scenes, so well put together with clarity and skill, had me on the edge of my seat throughout (would the makes of the next Bond please take note), the photography was colourful and bright, the locations interesting and ideal, the story(as mad as a bag of cats) was great fun. The performances were so much fun... Had I been 5 (instead of 40 something)it would have been the best film I'd ever seen. Best of all it wasn't in the dreaded 3D!!!!! Unlike most of the films I've seen so far this year I actually really enjoyed myself with F5 (Pirates of the Caribbean sent me to sleep).

There are some things that can come back stronger and better after a period of weakness or difficulty. The original fast and the furious was a great action/car movie. It flexed its muscles with Vin Diesel both literally and with a role that suited him down to the ground. Jordanna Brewster came onto every man's radar and the cars were the stars too. It was so good that a sequel seemed almost inevitable, but all 2 fast 2 furious proved was that Paul Walker couldn't fill Vin Diesel's boots. Tokyo drift picked up the story a little bit but it wasn't until fast and furious returned with the tag line new model: original parts that everyone sat and up and took notice again. By then Diesel had given up his noble intentions and decided sequels weren't the worst thing that he could do and we were treated to a great return to form for both an actor and a movie franchise.

What Diesel has always needed in these movies was a nemesis. Enter Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson stage left, ripped beyond belief and barking a means business attitude. In fact, he is the perfect aggressor for Diesel and clearly relishes the role. The escalating tension between Johnson and Diesel explodes on screen and makes for one of the greatest, if over the top fights on film last year. Of course, Johnson as the cop is essentially a good guy just doing his job. Think of him as a hulk version of Walker in the original.

This film embodies everything that was great about the original. Diesel broods as protector and avenger. Brewster is sexier than ever. The selection of cars reads like a petrol head's wish list, the reunion is complete and Dom's charger even makes a return. Nothing has been left to chance.

This triple play version offers the extended cut which shows Johnson as a bit more of a bad-ass and is well worth it. The extras also make the grade as does the film in general. Looking forward to the next instalment, which promises much more of the same.

This has got to be one of the most enjoyable films I have ever watched. Loved every single second of it and I would recommend anyone to buy it. I just hope there is many more of these films to come!