Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (also known as Hobbs & Shaw) is a new action film directed by David Leitch and written by Chris Morgan and Drew Pearce, based on a story by Morgan. It is a spin-off of The Fast and the Furious franchise, centered around the title characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, who reprise their roles as unlikely allies who are forced to team up against a greater threat, played by Idris Elba.
Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and lawless outcast Shaw (Jason Statham), a former elite British military intelligence operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests Hattie Shaw, a brilliant and fearless MI6 agent (Vanessa Kirby), who is Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be even badder than them.
In addition to Johnson, Statham, Elba, and Kirby, Eiza González stars as Madam M, a mysterious weapons and information supplier; Helen Mirren as Magdalene Shaw, mother of Deckard, Owen and Hattie.; and Ryan Reynolds is hilarious as the CIA handler for Hobbs.
In the film, the movie’s villain Brixton, played by Idris Elba, spreads his arms out wide and declares “I’m black Superman.” It turns out that might not have been the original line. Dwayne Johnson told Variety that Elba was first asked to proclaim he’s “black James Bond,” but the Brit actor declined, saying, “It’s too close to what everybody’s talking about.” Elba has continually been on the top of fans’ wish lists for who should replace Daniel Craig as 007. But, Elba and producer Hiram Garcia recall things differently.
“That line was just improvised,” Elba told Variety. “I was in one of these takes and I was really riffing, and then it came out and (director David Leitch) loved it, and so we kept it.” Garcia concurred: “(Elba) just shouted it out. He was talking trash, shouted it out, and we said, ‘This is incredible!’ (The line) was his…so he ran with it. He loved it, and that line really stuck, and we’re so happy the fans responded to it.”
The action scenes are incredible! Hallmarks of the franchise are outrageous motor vehicle stunts, sensational fight sequences, and family drama. Hobbs & Shaw delivers the goods on all counts, especially the chase featuring Shaw’s McLaren and Brixton’s enhanced Triumph motorcycle, all the fight scenes, and the Hobbs family and his Samoan home community.
The 2 hour, 15 minute film is rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action and violence, suggestive material and some strong language. Be sure to stay all the way through the end credits to the very end when they turn the lights on for content. Universal Pictures theatrically releases this must-see summer spectacular Friday, August 2, in 2D, Dolby Cinema, and IMAX to cinemas near you.
