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From my review page, ORBI-WAN GOES TO THE MOVIES:

FAST AND FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS AND SHAW (PG-13) - The first spin-off of the wildly successful series leaves logic and physics at the door, as it jams every crazy over-the-top stunt and action bit into a very dumb and predictable, but extremely fun, popcorn-cruncher.

If you come out of the new Hobbs and Shaw movie physically exhausted, yet pumped, well, no one can blame you. It is definitely one of those end-of-the summer blockbuster types intended to raise its target audience’s spirits and sell a ton of tickets. And being that it’s kind of an experiment, branching off of what started as a bad-boy street-racing series that somehow turned into a globe-trotting spy action-adventure franchise with fun characters, I’d say good on them for shaking up the formula a bit by pairing disparate characters and setting them loose on a standard “stolen-virus-let’s-remake-the-world-in-our-image” style plot.

Be warned, there is a lot of box-checking going on during Hobbs and Shaw. Two charismatic main characters (Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham) who hate each other, but still hold a certain amount of grudging respect for one another - check. A seemingly indestructible bad guy, Brixton, (Idris Elba) who thinks he’s doing righteous work and that he’s the next phase in human advancement - check. The inclusion of a beloved family member, Hattie, (Vanessa Kirby), who has made an incredible sacrifice, and who is also strong and talented enough to stand up with the big boys, and take out the bad guys with style and grace - check. A shadowy mega-organization behind the scenes, manipulating events with the intent of world domination - check. Expendable henchmen with no names - check. The CIA dressed in their standard garb (suits and shades) and the butt of many jokes - check. Crazy action sequences that come at such regular intervals, you can set your watch to them - check. The Fast and Furious theme of family saving the day - check.

There are a few unexpected fun things that have been included that raises Hobbs and Shaw a wee bit above the standard summer blockbuster template. Two very amusing and extended unannounced cameos by hot comedic actors (I personally should have seen one of them coming). The level of funny insults that Hobbs and Shaw hurl at each other, even as it’s clear they will always have each other’s back. The complete audaciousness of the many stunts and action sequences, each one attempting to top the last one. The totally awesome motorcycle that Brixton rides - imagine a non-speaking KITT with magical powers.

Overall, despite some of its predictability, I really enjoyed Hobbs and Shaw for all the humor and non-stop action, although the movie itself could have been trimmed by about 10 or 15 minutes. I’m giving this spin-off 3.5 out of 5 lightsabers, and definitely would like to see the producers try to top this one. It’s gonna be hard.

NOTES TO PARENTS: (Some mild spoilers) Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw is rated PG-13 for over-the-top adventure-thriller style action and violence (though not gory), language and a lot of crude comments. A woman’s plastic-pantied behind is briefly shown in a scene toward the beginning of the film. There is no sex in the movie, just a couple of kisses. The two main characters yell “No F***ing way” at the same time when they realize they have to work together. S**t, G*****n, son-of-a-b****, and some milder profanities are heard throughout the movie. There are many very crude remarks made by the two main characters as they insult each other throughout the first two-thirds of the movie. Shaw gives Hobbs a crude-sounding alias as they attempt to travel incognito. Hattie’s MI-6 crew is killed and she is blamed for their deaths. A surprise character who shows up several times describes the effects of a customized virus in gruesome detail in front of Hobbs’ daughter, to comic effect. We see a shot of Brixton’s mechanical backbone as his back is being closed up after an upgrade. There are too many individual action scenes to list all the crazy stuff that goes on, but people are tazed, shot, punched, bludgeoned and beat up pretty much throughout the movie, although none of it is bloody or gory in any way.

MID- AND AFTER-CREDIT SCENES: There are multiple mid-credit scenes, one or two that hint at new alliances, and the rest are just for laughs. The after-credit scene is also thrown in for laughs.

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That was great.

Ryan Reynolds handing the briefing folder to Hobbs’s daughter slayed me. I realize he’s just doing Deadpool again but it’s so great.

Thought this was really fun. Great action, funny, cool cars and vehicles (Brixton’s motorcycle was really neat), just enjoyed it all around.

Mike Oxmaul.

Mike Oxmaul got his revenge on Hugh Janus at least.