“Hobbs & Shaw” features the all the impossible action sequences and over-the-top characters you would expect from a “Fast & Furious” film, but the stripped- down cast allows for much more character development…although it takes over two hours to pull it off. Not only is the basic plot extremely predictable, but most of the big story beats are revealed by the film’s teaser trailer. There’s plenty of action, and as expected, most of it involves cars and the complete disregard of physics. As long as you check your brain at the door, it’s a lot of fun and looks pretty cool. The primary cast is small, and the film is able to focus on Hobbs, Shaw, and his sister, Hattie. Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham ham it up a bit, but Vanessa Kirby mostly plays it straight. They all go on their respective emotional journeys, but Johnson and Statham spend most of the film kicking ass and childishly insulting each other, pushing the limits of the PG-13 rating at times. Idris Elba brings charisma and a nice physicality to the villain, but he’s never truly flesh-out beyond his radical ideology. There are a couple fun cameos, but the actors break into their normal shtick, and the scenes go on too long. The film itself could use some serious trimming, as it drags quite a bit, especially at the start of the third act.
**1/2 out of *****