Review: ‘Furious 7’ hits a few bumps in the road as it says goodbye to a friend

Posted on April 10, 2015

By MARK VIOLA

When it was announced that “Furious 7” would indeed go forward after the death of actor Paul Walker, with computers and his brothers helping to finish his last performance, many questions remained. Would the filmmakers find a satisfying way to send off Brian? Would the franchise be able to continue? Would the film itself be able to live up to the expectations built up by the previous two installments combined with the intrigue of Walker’s death?

“Furious 7” was facing big expectations and had big shoes to fill. For a lot of reasons, I really wanted to like this movie. And I do, but it has a number of problems I simply can’t get over and I just did not enjoy it nearly as much as the last two installments. Where the film does do a good job is honoring Brian and giving a heartfelt goodbye to Walker.

Pretty much all of my issues with “Furious 7” are with the script. In an attempt to once again ramp up the action, the writers may have finally pushed the realms of credulity beyond where I’m apparently willing to go. And this really doesn’t have anything to do with cars parachuting out of planes or flying between skyscrapers, but more with the story behind the action, which involves CIA operatives, secret computer programs and terrorists. The script also loses its focus several times. I will admit that this could very well be because of the writers working around scenes Walker had yet to film, but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that several plot threads here seem to go nowhere.

Despite its flaws, fans of the series should find plenty to enjoy in “Furious 7,” with all of the highflying action and character fun we’ve come to expect. I just wish the story lived up to the action and the characters.

The film is rated PG-13 for prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and mayhem, suggestive content and brief strong language.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.