Recently rewatched Fate of the Furious and F9 for the first time. I find I don't remember a movie well or gain complete clarity until I watch it a second time (some movies I think are great the first time around then the second time I'm able to see its shortcoming or vice versa). I thought both were not quite as good as I thought initially in theaters but still solid overall. Fate of the Furious makes great use of Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, but isn't a great cohesive experience and the story is so bad it's distracting. The story isn't anything to write home about in F9 and not having Statham and Johnson is a loss but I find it flows better as a cinematic experience and the action set pieces are awesome. 10 should hopefully be good following up on those action and adding Jason Momoa + the return of Statham.
Overall:
Fate of the Furious- 7/10. Fun action, set pieces, decent cast. Horrible plot/villain/use of Dom Toretto
F9- 8/10. Awesome action, backstory is surprisingly interesting. Lack of plot/main characters not compelling.
I've seen 7-9 a second time and Hobbs and Shaw a second time so I'll need to watch 1-6 to gain complete clarity/understanding. I doubt I'll ever watch 1-4 again though. Hobbs and Shaw is a lot of fun and probably my favorite tone with comedic action hints but the action isn't as good as the mainline series and the story and villain, even for Fast and Furious standards, is embarrassingly bad.
Ranking of Series:
1. Furious 7- by far the best. Outstanding action and peak characters/story. A lot of really cool blockbuster moments. The closest the franchise has come to being a cool superhero/MCU like movie without being bogged with F&F nonsense.
2. F9
3. Fast Five. I know people love this one, I'll need to rewatch. Possibly better than 9 but I really like the blockbuster feel of the new ones and this one feels more old school thriller. Certainly some great scenes though and not too many flaws.
4. Fast and Furious 6. Don't remember this movie at all, but I think it was solid all around without too many flaws.
5. Hobbs and Shaw
6. Fate of the Furious. I think I had this way higher but the plot and villain is just so awful, even with the low standards the franchise has. I'm not looking for a great story in these kinds of movies but I'm not expecting it to be distractingly bad either.
7. The Fast and the Furious. Solid but flawed overall
8. 2 Fast 2 Furious
9. Tokyo Drift. Apparently people like this one. Can't defend why I don't like it since I don't remember but I doubt I'd want to watch it again
10. Fast & Furious. Absolute trash
Favorite Characters
1. Brian O'Connor. I like Statham and Johnson much more but they always play the same characters and O'Connor certainly has much better character than probably anyone in the franchise without Paul Walker being a horrible actor like Vin Diesel.
2. Luke Hobbs. Can't beat Dwayne Johnson in action comedies. Just so fun to watch
3. Deckard Shaw. Love Jason Statham but prefer Johnson and Johnson has more movies
