Movie Talk FAST 9: When Filmmakers and Actors Have a Playground to Satisfy Militant Fans

Kapanlagi.com - As the title suggests, FAST 9 is the ninth film in the successful FAST SAGA franchise that has been watched in many countries. Who would have thought that the film THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, released in 2001, would have sequels made 20 years later. 

The appearance of FAST SAGA films is always anticipated by fans. Ticket sales have never been a flop. Since the fifth film, FAST SAGA has consistently earned Rp. 3 trillion in revenue. The highest record was achieved by the seventh film, which earned Rp. 5.098 trillion. This achievement was solely from ticket sales. It's no wonder that FAST SAGA continues to make new films, including the latest one, FAST 9.  

So what makes FAST SAGA special in the eyes of its fans? The answer lies in the cool and fast cars, the super team that feels like a family with Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) as their leader, the super villains, fight scenes, various weapons, advanced gadgets, explosions, and spectacular action. This combination of elements is what makes fans always miss and want to come back to watch. 

Universal Pictures understands the desires of the fans, so from film to film, there is always an improvement here and there. Whether it's in terms of the storyline, the villain characters presented, the types of cars, and of course the series of spectacular scenes. It is forbidden to repeat previous scenes or show scenes that are less spectacular than the previous film. FAST 9, for example, has showcased every spectacular action in the trailer. 

1. Justin Lin's Playground

Director Justin Lin was brought back for a reason. Under his hands, the FAST SAGA has evolved into something new. The racing film, which was prominent in the first three films, instantly became action-packed and explosive starting from the fourth film. And this continued until the sixth film, carried on by James Wan and F Gary Gray. FAST 9 became an experiment and playground for Justin who was brought back.

"People always say 'You shouldn't do this. You can't do this.' Then we made an agreement, no matter if there's another round, we will surpass their expectations. We will make it evolve and grow. That's the spirit of FAST AND FURIOUS," he said to KapanLagi.

So when the previous film, FATE OF THE FURIOUS, included a chase scene on an ice field with a torpedo-hunting submarine, FAST 9 presents scenes that go beyond that. Just mention the magnetized cars and the protagonist speeding on a broken bridge.

2. Magnetic Cars Become the Highlight

Universal Pictures

Justin Lin's decision to enjoy FAST 9 as a playground is evident from the elements of the story presented. In this film, it is shown how Dom and his friends use magnet technology as one of their weapons. Just turn the magnet knob, and the cars are pulled with ease. 

"I love science. I watch all science fiction films. But it feels like we need to draw the line between fiction and physics. Hahaha," Michelle Rodriguez joked to IGN. "Let's momentarily ignore the physics of these magnets. I often ask, 'Hey, aren't there many iron objects on the streets?' Come on...'," he responded to the scene where Dom's car pulls a specific car in a busy street. 

Justin and his team clearly position FAST as a fictional film without being burdened by how the audience will react to it. In addition to magnets, there are also details about rockets, cars swinging with an iron wire, and cars flying into space that become highlights. 

"There is a limit between entertainment and reality. That's also what I noticed as the difference between action films from the 90s and those from the 2000s onwards. Now we have to explain everything in as much detail as possible in a scene. So it's difficult to create something beyond what we believe. That's why the era of Rambo and heroes who can safely land their cars after jumping off buildings has ended. But FAST AND FURIOUS is like dancing in the middle. Only we make films like this, but the audience doesn't reject them. What because we are aware and play with it," she added.

3. Fantastic Stuntwork is Performed

Universal Pictures

From the acting side itself, the actors also had fun playing their characters. Vin Diesel, for example, was always ready to do any scene. From there, he felt he could delve deeper into the character of Dom.

"When you get older, you start questioning your sanity. When you think back to all the action scenes you've done and never questioned them. My whole process of understanding Dom is, when the director tells me to jump off a building, I will jump off a building. Because I really delved into the character," he said firmly. 

A little flashback, in the first film, Dom was the owner of a workshop and the leader of a group of racers who stole cargo from trucks on the highway. As time goes on, Dom becomes an alpha male figure with skills like a super agent and driving skills that keep him safe from any danger. 

4. Becoming a Reunion Event

Universal Pictures

What wouldn't Justin do for his fans? He even brings back a character that was previously killed off. It all started with the #JusticeForHan movement, which disagreed with Han's character being killed off so easily. Justin made it happen in FAST 9.

Meanwhile, in Sung Kang's eyes, the FAST 9 project is a sentimental opportunity where he can reunite with colleagues he considers as family.

"It's truly a special opportunity when you can work together again with your friends in this business. It's rare. You meet many people in a project and sometimes you won't meet them again. However, Justin and I have spent most of our careers together," he expressed thankfully.

5. Audience Enthusiasm

With this family spirit and "playfulness", FAST 9 has finally been released. How is the audience's enthusiasm? According to data from Box Office Mojo, FAST 9 has already earned Rp.4 trillion from its film screenings in many countries. This does not include the United States and the United Kingdom, as the film was only released there on June 25th. Meanwhile, it has been released in other countries since June 12th. 

Well, what do you think, KLovers? Share your thoughts in the comments section. And get ready to see how Universal, filmmakers, and the cast of FAST 10 will play with their film. 

 

(kpl/dka)