With Fast Five following shortly after Scream 4, looks like higher numbered sequels that don’t have the name Harry Potter in the title aren’t necessarily something to dread anymore.  It may not be time to start a list of the successes this year quite yet (hopefully once Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is released), but there is definitely reason to hope.

Fast Five compiles a plethora of characters from the previous entries of the films, bringing back some favorites, as well as some lesser known characters for those who tuned out once the series left the country, creating a team to support Dominic, Brian, and Mia with the ridiculous plot in Rio that involves being chased down by a glorified bounty hunter of sorts to bring them back to the states to pay for their crimes.

Before you write the film off for this plot alone, let’s do a little comparison to help explain it.  If this movie were a cinematic vehicular race it would be the pod race from The Phantom Menace. [Read more...]