We’re about to get our tenth film within the Quick & Livid franchise — eleventh if you happen to depend Hobbs & Shaw. For higher or worse, the long-running franchise continues to dominate the field workplace charts and delight audiences with its outrageous stunts, loopy motion, and strict devotion to household. With so many chapters within the Quick Saga, we determined to have a look and see the place the films stand earlier than Quick X hits theaters. Listed below are the Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked from worst to finest.
10. 2 Quick 2 Livid (2003)
The big success of The Quick and the Livid shocked everybody in Hollywood, leaving executives scrambling for a sequel. Surprisingly, Vin Diesel declined the chance to reprise his function as Dom, which led to Paul Walker and director John Singleton taking up the franchise. Whereas we will solely speculate about how Dom v Brian Half II would have turned out in 2003, it’s broadly acknowledged that 2 Quick 2 Livid was a large disappointment. Regardless of a stable solid that includes Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser, and the charming Eva Mendes, this clumsy sequel pushes Brian to the forefront with a nonsensical plot centered round a drug lord in Miami.
The dearth of considerate writing is clear. Nonetheless, the opening sequence is visually spectacular, and the movie has a vibrant coloration palette. Sometimes, you may sense a faint pulse from the engine. Nonetheless, this lifeless sequel depends closely on acquainted tropes and fails to seize the infectious vitality of its predecessor, which is why it’s final in our record of the Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked.
9. The Destiny of the Livid (2017)
Charlize Theron crashes into the Quick and Livid universe and practically wrecks the goodwill she earned from Mad Max: Fury Street. The Destiny of the Livid is so dumb that it made me initially skip F9. Through the climax, our heroes tackle a submarine with their automobiles. Let’s say my suspension of disbelief hit the brakes exhausting.
However maintain on tight; there’s a jaw-dropping twist! Dom turns to the darkish aspect as a result of Theron’s dreadlocks sporting cyber-terrorist took his child. When did our resident powerful man flip so delicate? We’re removed from the streets of LA, the place he nearly shot Brian in chilly blood for being a cop or when he took on a drug kingpin for revenge. Our hero now talks endlessly about household and shows superhuman talents. His crew executes exact maneuvers like a top-notch army unit. Ought to we even care?
Amidst the insanity, there are exhilarating motion sequences that shine, expertly orchestrated by director F. Gary Grey. But, an undercurrent of desperation permeates the extreme chaos. Whereas embracing the Quick Saga calls for a sure mindset, Destiny of the Livid treads dangerously near Batman and Robin ranges of absurdity that might sink any franchise. It’s definitely entertaining in spades, however it might be time for everybody concerned to contemplate reining within the madness.
That scene the place Shaw saves Dom’s child — oof.
8. F9 (2021)
At this level within the Quick Saga, there’s nothing new we haven’t seen one million instances earlier than. I’ve additionally grown to just accept that the franchise isn’t taking a U-turn and heading again to its crime drama roots. Dom’s crew are motion heroes who assemble when their boss, Mr. No one (Kurt Russell), calls them on the hotline. Yeah, they’re Energy Rangers with out the dinosaurs.
John Cena joins the enjoyable on this trip as Dom’s long-lost brother who needs to reboot the world order, or one thing, with a tool referred to as Aires. He’s working for Cipher (Theron, once more) and … blah … blah … Han is in some way alive … I simply don’t care.
Justin Lin returns after a short hiatus and tries to splatter the image with juicy motion. To his credit score, he finds distinctive new methods to inject somewhat life into quite a few set items. Nonetheless, the cartoonish violence clashes badly with the stagnant drama. When Helen Mirren rolls in as Queenie Shaw, orchestrating a wild chase whereas decked in glowing excessive heels, I had no selection however to throw my arms up and be part of the reckless trip off the cliff of sheer stupidity.
7. The Quick and the Livid: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Tokyo Drift represents a refreshing step ahead for the Quick Saga, redeeming itself from the frustration of two Quick 2 Livid. Director Justin Lin takes the reins with finesse, orchestrating thrilling races in opposition to the colourful backdrop of Tokyo, leading to a visually beautiful expertise. The narrative facilities round Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), a rebellious teenager pressured to relocate to Tokyo, the place he plunges into the wild underground world of avenue racing, forging new alliances and rivalries whereas mastering the artwork of drifting to outlive and discover his place on this electrifying and threatening subculture.
Whereas not one of the best entry within the franchise, Tokyo Drift a minimum of tries one thing new and, higher but, ditches the campy tone of its predecessor and opts for a darker, character-driven method. The motion is thrilling, and Sung Kang’s Han stays one of many extra likable characters within the sequence. No matter the place it lands in your private record of the Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked, it deserved a greater reception than it initially obtained.
6. Livid 7 (2015)
Livid 7, whereas that includes a heartbreaking finale, struggles to go away an enduring impression. Paul Walker’s premature passing throughout manufacturing led to vital script adjustments and CGI utilization, however his efficiency stays remarkably seamless. The movie’s poignant ending is undeniably transferring, bidding farewell to the actor in a heartfelt and dignified method.
Regardless of the emotional conclusion and scattered moments of pleasure, akin to an exciting cliffside chase and Kurt Russell’s pleasurable cameo, Livid 7 finally disappoints. A gap credit score sequence that includes Jason Statham as new villain Deckard Shaw (Owen’s bro) kicks issues off on an exciting beat. Nonetheless, director James Wan doesn’t know what to do along with his solid past propelling them by means of more and more outrageous and implausible set items.
Furthermore, the movie veers away from the sequence’ earlier makes an attempt to floor the motion in some type of actuality. Dom’s crew transitions from gritty avenue punks to Avengers-like superheroes, dropping the relatable underdog appeal that made them endearing.
Livid 7 continues to be goofy enjoyable, however even devoted followers might roll their eyes when Dom begins shattering concrete buildings with a mere foot stomp, which is why it’s in the course of our Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked.
5. Quick & Livid 6 (2013)
Quick & Livid 6 is a combined bag for me. The motion sequences, notably the tank scene and endless runway finale, are spectacularly staged by director Justin Lin. Nonetheless, the cracks are beginning to present. Concepts are working skinny, necessitating greater and louder stunts, chases, and battle sequences strung collectively by the slimmest of plots.
This time, our heroes are recruited by Hobbs to seize a harmful madman named Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) earlier than he … um … I’m undecided what Shaw wished, to be completely trustworthy. A microchip? A pc? Neither do Lin or screenwriter Chris Morgan, who cruise by means of exposition at full throttle. You don’t have a lot time to consider any of it, which might be for one of the best.
Nonetheless, the return of Michelle Rodriguez as Letty is a stroke of genius, regardless of the considerably clumsily dealt with amnesia storyline. Rodriguez’s presence amongst her co-stars brings a way of enjoyable, and she or he impresses together with her formidable efficiency within the motion sequences.
Once more, that is completely fantastic popcorn leisure constructed for the plenty, which is why it lands right here on our record of the Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked. These searching for extra crime drama and fewer Avenger-ing will likely be upset.
4. Quick & Livid (2009)
The true sequel to 2001’s unique The Quick and Livid picks up someday after our boys, Brian and Dom, parted methods all these years in the past. Destiny finally brings them again collectively. Properly, that and Letty’s stunning dying by the hands of a drug kingpin named Arturo Braga (John Ortiz). Fueled by his thirst for vengeance, Dom groups up with Brian to carry Braga down, leading to a low-key however adrenaline-fueled entry that raises the stakes with out sacrificing character.
Surprisingly, Quick & Livid ranks among the many lowest rated of the franchise — simply 29% on RottenTomatoes. Pump the brakes! I dug it. The story works. Dom and Brian’s bromance is nice, and the assorted motion scenes — notably a gritty avenue race by means of downtown LA — get the blood pumping. The drug trafficking angle is lazy, nevertheless it fits the universe established within the unique. Dom was by no means an out-and-out unhealthy man however a low-level prison making an attempt to maintain his household afloat in a world run by sharks. In order that’s why we like him.
Quick & Livid maintains a vital edge subsequent chapters deserted when the franchise grew to become an excessive amount of about household.
3. Quick X
The Quick and Livid franchise is at its finest when constructed round Dom’s efforts to guard his household. That’s why components one, 4, 5, and 7 stand out as probably the most entertaining. They’re much less about missions to avoid wasting the world and extra a few group of tremendous avenue racers making an attempt their finest to outlive an outlandish scenario.
Quick X adheres to this formulation and, because of a terrific scene-stealing efficiency from Jason Momoa, delivers the high-octane spectacle that made the sequence so interesting. Yeah, we’re nonetheless a good distance from the place we began. Nonetheless, Quick X strikes a pleasant stability between absurd motion and heart-pounding depth, immersing audiences in a whirlwind of adrenaline-fueled pleasure. It’s large, goofy, tacky enjoyable. Director Louis Leterrier retains the mayhem flowing at a ridiculous tempo. He levels the motion with a rhythmic beat, enjoying like a big-budget music video. Furthermore, he appears keenly in on the joke, subtly poking enjoyable on the franchise. He takes the fabric significantly sufficient to provide it an edge however solely ventures up to now past viewers expectations.
Actually, Quick X feels just like the film Livid 7, Destiny of the Livid, and F9 wished to be. To the very best diploma, it’s summer time blockbuster nonsense but in addition large, bombastic, and utterly self-aware. If I needed to make a comparability, I’d liken Quick X to Avengers: Infinity Warfare in spirit. Even characters like Charlize Theron’s Cipher and John Cena’s Jakob Toretto are extra tolerable now.
Total, there’s loads right here to get pleasure from. Vin Diesel is nice as Dom, portraying him as an angsty father who nonetheless is aware of how you can ship a kick-ass line — “You need to’ve taken my automotive,” he says earlier than driving off the aspect of a dam. Michelle Rodriguez turns it up a notch as Letty, and her scenes with Theron are a enjoyable detour from the principle narrative.
Nonetheless, that is Momoa’s movie, and the hulking star knocks it out of the park. His infectious appeal and vitality breathe life into what was a stale franchise. So I’m really excited to see the place this endless saga goes subsequent.
2. The Quick and the Livid (2001)
Name me loopy, however after watching it this week, I dug the unique Quick & Livid movie. Basically Level Break with automobiles instead of surfboards, this early 2000s motion flick has somewhat one thing for everyone — automobiles, motion, sizzling women, bromance — and surprisingly dramatic stakes. The third act motion sequence wherein Dom and his crew battle a shotgun-toting truck driving is pulse-pounding, and the ultimate drag race between Dom and Brian bears emotional weight. Furthermore, director Rob Cohen retains his story grounded, relying extra on character than the outlandish motion that may outline the remainder of the sequence.
On a damaging be aware, supporting characters like Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty and Johnny Robust’s Leon are short-changed. The finale leaves a number of plot threads dangling within the air, making it much more weird {that a} direct sequel by no means hit theaters till Justin Lin’s quasi-reboot in 2009.
Regardless, my view on The Quick & the Livid has improved. This chapter was refreshingly easy and simple in comparison with the bloated eighth and ninth installments. There’s a cause followers flock to those motion pictures, and it began right here with this low-budget, gripping, entertaining crime drama.
1. Quick 5 (2011)
The Quick Saga peaked with Quick 5. Over a decade later, my thoughts hasn’t modified. Every part right here works. The story is sufficiently small in scale to a minimum of keep credibility; the heroes are likable, the villain (Joaquim de Almeida) is formidable, and The Rock slides into the franchise like a large power of nature, injecting a brand new degree of depth, charisma, and larger-than-life presence that amplifies the adrenaline-fueled pleasure of the Quick & Livid sequence to exhilarating heights.
Nothing beats the vault chase, a intelligent motion set piece that leans on our heroes’ impeccable racing abilities. They’re not saving the world or firing limitless rounds of gunfire at army opposition; they’re merely avenue racing at an completely absurd degree. I like it. Diesel is a rock star; his efficiency nonetheless maintains an aura of badassery earlier than the sequence turned Dom right into a strolling caricature.
Justin Lin navigates his method round artistic set items and retains the image transferring at a whiplash-inducing tempo. There’s additionally extra at stake right here than earlier than, and that sense of urgency provides the ultimate reel a much-needed push throughout the end line. That is the one the place I used to be all in on the Quick Saga and why it tops our record of the Quick & Livid motion pictures ranked. So whereas the remaining bunch represents a gentle decline, the time on the high was enjoyable whereas it lasted.
