A few weeks ago, it was announced that a mystery “planetary blockbuster” would be screened during the Cannes Film Festival and it’s been officially revealed (via Variety) that the movie will be … “F9.”
Zzzzz ….
“F9” has already been released in China, accumulating more than $200 million at the Chinese box office (via THR) and earning $255.9 million globally. All this, and it’s still set for release in the U.S. on June 25th.
Eveb though, the addition of F9 to the Cannes 2021 lineup is a mediocre one, to say the least, it’s only expected to be screened at the Beach, not at the prestigious Lumiere cinema where, if it were shown there, the Gods of cinema would have likely bowed their heads down in shame.
‘F9’ has a whopping 145 minute runtime. Reviews from advanced screenings started trickling in two weeks ago and it’s made me anticipate this one even less. It currently has a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic.
I’ve seen the eight previous films and only moderately liked 2011’s “Fast Five,” the rest were as bland, overstylized and empty as Vin Diesel’s acting. Yes, this ninth installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise will be a very popular movie for the low-IQ movie crowd, and they tend to show up in droves to watch these movies. The lures of this never-ending saga has always been the fast cars, but “The French Connection,” “Death Proof,” “Drive,” “Bullit,” “Ronin,” or even “Baby Driver” it ain’t.