‘Furious 7’ Review Roundup: Paul Walker’s Last ‘Fast’ Film Earns Glowing Reviews

Furious 7, the latest installment in the high-octane franchise starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, reunites them and the rest of the gang for a new heist and high-speed car chases.

Following Walker’s tragic death in November 2013, the future of Furious 7 was uncertain. After a hiatus from filming to mourn the loss of their costar and close friend, the cast reunited to complete the film, which doubles as a tribute to the late actor. As for the plot, Dom (Diesel), Brian (Walker), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman (Tyreese), Mia (Jordana Brewster), and Tej (Ludacris) have to fend off Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who is seeking revenge against them for the loss of his brother (Luke Evans) in Furious 6.

Furious 7 Reviews

Like its predecessors, Furious 7‘s strengths are in the action-packed sequences that feature tricked-out cars performing impossible stunts and their gun-wielding drivers trying to save the day. Critics seem to agree, that despite the predictably clunky dialogue and nonsensical plot lines, the James Wan-directed movie is a success. Additionally, while the film might soar on its over-the-top action, reviewers are praising Furious 7 for its subtle handling of paying tribute to Walker.

“James Wan, Chris Morgan and their colleagues have devised a visually distinctive and dramatically potent ending that would have been effective at any time. In the wake of Walker’s death, it constitutes a farewell of fitting elegance. Otherwise, the film follows an exceedingly well-traveled road, though the formula—a crew of racer-adventurers who put dual premiums on speed and family values—has been spiked with ever more spectacular, or preposterous, effects. They’re especially spectacular if you believe that cars can fly, which is what they do at crucial points in the proceedings.” – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

“No one forks over 10 bucks to see one of these flicks for its logic. We go for the bananas demolition-derby mayhem. Furious 7 delivers that with the direct visceral rush of an EpiPen. For two hours and change, we’re treated to a high-octane orgy of some of the most exhilarating stunts ever put on film, including one showstopper where Walker balances on an overturned bus that’s teetering on the edge of a cliff.” – Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

“Furious 7 is the best F&F by far, two hours of pure pow fueled by dedication and passionate heart. This one sticks with you. The usual flaws — plot bumps, muscle acting, tweet-length dialogue — fade in the face of the camaraderie on and off the screen. Finishing the film in Walker’s honor clearly brought out the best in everyone. It’s bittersweet seeing Walker in action again. But it’s also a kick to watch him take the wheel or hang off a bus in Azerbaijan that happens to be hanging off a cliff. He feels at home.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“Furious 7” is the fuel-injected fusion of all that is and ever has been good in “The Fast and the Furious” saga that began in 2001 with souped-up cars and a stripped-down story about a tight-knit East L.A. street racing crew…. The always-fabulous autos spend much of the time airborne in stunning, heart-dropping effects. But it is in the handling of heartfelt sentiment that “Furious” truly soars, as the on-screen and off-screen family gives one of their own — Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in 2013 as “7” was filming — a near-perfect final ride.” – Betsy Sharkey, L.A. Times

Furious 7 is currently in wide release.