Review: HOBBS & SHAW is a goofy, surreal, action-comedy

"I'm trying to save the world, which, for the record, will be my fourth time. 'Cause I'm really good at it."

This past weekend saw the release of "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" or HOBBS & SHAW, and finally sees the street racing-turned-global action franchise kicked up a notch into pure silly, sci-fi, bliss that is as zany and surreal as it is fun and entertaining.

Directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, John Wick 2) the film sees CIA agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson, The Rock) teaming up with frequent frenemy and gun-for-hire Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) to track down Shaw's sister Hattie (Vanessa Kirby) and protect her and a deadly weaponized virus called The Snowflake from the mysterious "tech cult" conglomerate Eteon and their vicious superhuman mercenary, Brixton Lore (Idris Elba).

Written by Chris Morgan, HOBBS & SHAW is an action-comedy in the same sort of absurd vein that experiments like 2009's G.I. JOE or 1997's BATMAN & ROBIN belong in. By the time the film's trio of Hobbs, Shaw, and Hattie have repelled/fallen down a skyscraper and find themselves drifting through the cramped corridors of London's streets in a ridiculously gorgeous Maclaren supercar being chased by Idris Elba's Brixton (who has a 'Transformers' tier nanotech motorcycle that can ride on walls and rotate it's parts accordingly) you begin to slowly accept what you're seeing and embrace it for all it's boisterous, cartoony, fun. HOBBS & SHAW is, while probably unintentional, almost a perfect counter to last weekend's ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD. It's truly surreal.

Part of the charm of the "Fast/Furious" franchise has been it's humble beginnings following an undercover cop in pursuit of a street racing gang of thieves stealing DVD players to seeing the franchise heroes racing across polar ice-caps working for the CIA/ FBI/ DEA/whatever as they're pursued by a nuclear submarine launching missiles at them as they bunny-hop their Hummers and tanks over exploding chunks of sleet. This, by that logic, is the natural extension.

Dwayne Johnson has made a name for himself as an action-comedy superstar who oozes charisma out of every orifice and here is no exception, especially when he's paired with the brooding and snarky Jason Statham, an action movie superstar from the days of The Italian Job, Transporter, etc. Their chemistry carries the film, and their genuine sense of fun keeps the audience invested even as we're told about a super secret organization making robotics-enhanced super soldiers.

Vanessa Kirby, who joins the franchise as Statham's sister Hattie, has been popping up a lot recently such as in last year's incredible MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT after her career-defining role in Netflix's brilliant "The Crown" as Princess Margaret. Kirby copies Statham's accent well enough to buy that they could be related, and she is has the charm, smoldering beauty, and convincing action chops to make her character fit in convincingly.

HOBBS & SHAW also brings an interesting threat moving forward with the mysterious Eteon organization that will ensure the inevitable sequel will have plenty of danger and excitement as the stakes keep ramping.

The action is wild and unbelievable which makes it charming, and especially from director David Leitch who has dabbled in the ultra-reasitic with ATOMIC BLONDE to the fantastical genre-fare like JOHN WICK 2 and DEADPOOL 2. His background as a stuntman and his eye for creating striking and unique set-pieces with distinct visual flare and eye pleasing palettes also ensure that HOBBS & SHAW never lacks for entertainment.

Even if you've never seen a FAST/FURIOUS picture before, this film would be perfect for you. It's a great entry point to a budding franchise that is sure to bring the laughs as often as it brings the explosions.