Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) have been living off the grid raising young Brian when they discover that Mr. Nobody’s (Kurt Russell) spy plane has been compromised by none other than Dom’s younger brother Jakob (John Cena). Joining forces once again with Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Mia (Jordan’s Brewster) they hop around the globe to stop Jakob’s world conquering plans whilst ruminating on what it means to be family.

At this point in time the Fast Franchise is beyond any kind of coherent criticism. It’s evolution from undercover cops trying to catch street racing criminals into globe trotting James Bond spy’s with superhero like invulnerability is as extraordinary as the muscles on its stars. I for one am a convert. As someone who has little interest or knowledge of cars I found the first four films to be charmless bores. With the introduction of Dwayne Johnson and the focus on action in the fifth film I found myself being won over by just how far they would push the insane stunts and physics. This, the tenth film in the franchise probably enters my top three alongside the fifth and seventh entries in the main series.

As far as plot goes this film actually succeeds as much as it cheats. Vin Diesel has always maintained that the franchise is about family and for the first time watching these films it actually does feel like it this time. Opening with an older version of the Universal logo we start in 1989 with a grainy flashback (as a nice touch all the flashbacks have a grainy quality to the crisp digital images of the present day). A young Dom (Vinnie Bennett) is seen as part of the pit crew for his father Jack (JD Pardo) alongside his brother Jakob (Finn Cole). A tragic accident and its aftermath will slowly be explained to us via these flashbacks giving us the backstory for Dom and his brother. The fact that Dom and his sister Mia have never mentioned Jakob before is just one of the retcon cheats in the films plotting. The intercutting of this story with the main action works really well, giving the film some balance to its crazy stunts as well which is welcome. Back in the present day this means that our team can just go all out on the outlandish stunts and bring back an old favourite to the franchise. At this point it will be no surprise to anyone that Han (Sung Kang) returns in the other massive retcon of this film. Although his appearance does not have much substance.

So what about the action sequences? Let’s face it, the Fast Franchise at this point is about how crazy can they make the action and I have to say that on this occasion they truly have gone all out. There is an opening mission that felt a little like the ‘A’ Team as the team go into an unnamed country where they are attacked by countless soldiers, vehicles and helicopters all with the aim that a stormtrooper would be proud of. Later we will be introduced to large electromagnets, zip lines in Scotland, rocket propelled cars and of course, the final frontier; although perhaps not for this team!

What is so fantastic about it though is that if you truly let yourself go, if you actually root for the insanity it just brings an endless smile to your face. I actually burst out laughing on three occasions during the films final half an hour or so. Not in a mocking, derisory way, but just in a “I can not believe they are doing this”. I am confident that the film makers, with perhaps the exception of Vin Diesel are in on this joke to. Roman and Tej who have always been the comic relief actually have conversations about the possibility that they might be invincible and even more unbelievably explain that if they just believe in the rules of physics and follow them that they will be fine! This of course in between Dom catching people with his car, because of course that is not only completely possible but negates all injury of someone being flung at speed and safely landing on a moving car bonnet!

All of this and I have not even talked about Charlize Theron returning as the villain Cypher with an even worse hair cut than last time (maybe), Helen Mirren reprising her role of the most cockney person ever to grace a film, an old school street race (thank you flashbacks) and a car meet at a stately manor complete with designer dress wearing women gyrating suggestively around the cars (thank you incredulity). Oh and who could forget, endless gear changing. In need of extra speed? Change gear! Because there is always another gear in Fast & Furious.

So, settle back, check any thoughts of credibility, continuity and realism at the door and prepare yourself for what is undoubtedly the craziest action franchise in existence. Oh and please stay seated for a mid credits sequence featuring a character who has otherwise skipped this entry in the franchise.