F9 First Reactions: An Adrenaline-Fueled Mix of Bonkers Action and Unexpected Drama

The wait is almost over! Vin Diesel and his family — now including John Cena — are back for F9, the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, and it’s finally arriving in theaters on June 25. More than a month ahead of that release, though, a number of critics have had the chance to see the sequel and were permitted to share their thoughts on social media.

As you’re no doubt expecting, this movie is reportedly filled with ridiculous action to the point that it’s potentially too silly in its physics-defying spectacle. Does it have any script problems? Who cares, right? Especially when Han (Sung Kang) is back and properly honored. Regardless, it’s still fun seeing the positive buzz on this highly anticipated blockbuster.

Here’s what critics are saying about F9:

How does F9 compare to the rest of the franchise?

F9 is outrageous and one of the biggest, baddest additions to the Fast family franchise.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

F9 was AMAZING! Justin Lin’s return is a high ranking entry.
– Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

It’s a TON OF FUN!! This is ultimate Fast & Furious.
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

F9 is grandiose fun. Bombastic, brazen, bold.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

F9 is by far the biggest and most ridiculous Fast & Furious yet. [But it’s] miles from the precision of Fast Five or the fun of Tokyo Drift.
– David Ehrlich, IndieWire

This is one of the weakest entries in the franchise, probably near the bottom. If they continue this, I honestly hope they are spin-offs like Hobbs and Shaw, which I enjoyed much more.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

It’s the worst FF movie to date.
– John Campea, The John Campea Show

(Photo by ©Universal Pictures)

How is the cast?

Vin Diesel and John Cena are terrific. Tyrese is the stealth MVP.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Tyrese steals the whole god damn show.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

Also HAN IS STILL GREAT!!!
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

How is the action?

The action continues to be pure bonkers adrenaline…absolute blockbuster bliss.
– Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

Supercharged stunts and ambitious action set pieces mix with combustible soap opera dramatics. It’s a cacophony [of] car-crunching mayhem.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Anything is possible, there are surprises at every turn, the stunts are at their best.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

The action feels fresh and innovative, if not necessarily bigger.
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

(Photo by ©Universal Pictures)

Does the plot match the spectacle?

The story actually gets some exciting depths.
– Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

It weaves in John Cena’s Jakob in a smart way that builds on the theme of family, giving it some real heart.
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

It takes a while to rev up but won me over by the end.
– David Ehrlich, IndieWire

It’s overly long, convoluted.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

Does it get too ridiculous?

The Fast movies 4-8 work well because they embrace the ridiculousness. But at some point it’s way too much. The couple of moments of laughs and charm are totally overwhelmed by the eye rolling nonsense.
– John Campea, The John Campea Show

F9 gets busy (too busy)… in its outer-space sequence, flirts with jumping the shark.
– Owen Gleiberman, Variety

So ridiculously over the top that it borders on being insulting rather than fun and entertaining.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

Everything is over-the-top, and I loved every second of it.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

I found myself giggling at the sheer audacity of a few of the big set pieces and some other stuff. It’ll absolutely make you forget your troubles for a few hours.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Hearing other people laugh around me when some ridiculously over the top action happened was the best part. Thank you science.
– Steve Weintraub, Collider

(Photo by ©Universal Pictures)

So it’s worth seeing in a theater?

If you feel safe going I definitely definitely definitely suggest seeing it on the big screen cause wow wow wow.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

MAN I MISSED GOING TO THE MOVIES. and Fast & Furious 9 was definitely a fun one to be my first movie back in theaters!!
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

Do we need to watch all the previous movies ahead of time?

I’m glad I watched all eight main Fast & Furious movies before seeing F9 — the movie rewards longtime fans in some cool ways. But I’m gonna give myself a headache trying to make the franchise timeline make sense! You just gotta roll with it!
– Molly Freeman, Screen Rant

[F9 delivers] satisfying answers to some important questions.
– Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

So the franchise is still going strong?

With Justin Lin at the helm it feels like things are finally moving in the right direction.
– David Ehrlich, IndieWire

[There’s] plenty of gas left in the tank.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

This franchise has officially run out of gas.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

F9 opens in theaters on June 25, 2021.

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