With the passing of the social media embargo for Universal’s latest installment in the Fast & The Furious franchise, Fast X, but expiring yesterday, journalists and critics who attended early screenings of the film began rolling out their opinions. Though the first wave of reactions indicate that Fast X may be a bit disappointing to fans of the high-octane franchise, most everyone agrees that a new addition stole the show.
Jason Momoa joined the franchise as Dante Reyes, the son of Fast 5 Hernan Reyes who was killed by Dwayne Johnson‘s Hobbs. And while he might be playing Reyes, it sounds like Momoa is really just letting all his Momoaness out in Fast X. Forbes critic Simon Thompson says Momoa’s “perilous peacocking” stands out in the “stupidly entertaining” sequel.
Cinema Blend’s Eric Rosenberg compared Momoa’s Reyes to the Joker, calling him ” a gleeful psychopath” and part of the reason the film gets the franchise “back on track.”
io9 veteran critic Germain Lussier joined in singing Momoa’s praises, saying his performance is “God-level.” However, Lussier was much less impressed with Fast X, calling it “the worst” film in the series.
Insider correspondent Kirsten Acuna hints at a potentially divisive film while also hyping it up as Universal’s Infinity War.
Though she enjoyed the film, Acuna also noted that Fast X is a mid-tier Fast franchise entry while also boarding the Momoa praise train.
Given Momoa’s charismatic Reyes is drawing such rave reviews and the film is likely to continue to ludicrous, over-the-top action fans have embraced, Fast X is likely to be a hit when it opens in theaters May 19th!
