I'll start by saying my personal favorite in the series is 6, beyond any doubt. I measure these films based on how many times I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. By that metric, Fate stands just below Fast Five. It's a strong movie, but the weakest one they've done in awhile. There's a bigger focus on actual car action, which will please a ton of people - but felt like a bit of a step back to me. Gray isn't a great action director for fight sequences,
and it shows. Everything feels a lot more grounded, despite the plot being 100% GI Joe, 'save the world' nuttery.
Theron is phenomenal. Easily the best villain the series has seen, though she's a little underutilized as an action star.
They manage to fully justify Dom's intentions, and pull the film into surprisingly dark territory.
Statham and the Rock carry the film, and both show off their ample charisma. Statham in particular is given way more to work with, and feels like so much more than the faceless monster he was in 7.
The core crew feels a little bit sidelined by the parade of new characters, especially Scott Eastwood who has no good excuse to be in this film. You get the sense that losing Brian has tossed in dynamic into disarray, and the writers are still working out the best way to continue.
The New York scenes are great, and wonderfully realized. It's a great example of how this film celebrates practical effects work like few others. In comparison the sub chase is fun - but a bit reliant on CG.
Overall, it's a great time. It's not the best this series has been, but still better than 90% of action films you'll get in theaters this year.
