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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Furious Seven
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludicris, Tyrese Gibson, Kurt Russell, Jordana Brewster, Jason Statham, and Dwayne Johnson
Synopsis: Back in the summer of 2001, a little movie called “The Fast and the Furious” was released. It was a simple story of an undercover cop infiltrating a group of car enthusiasts who happened to be criminals. You can almost imagine the pitch — a “Point Break” with street racers. It was a good, entertaining film. It was the kind of movie made for summers. Now nearly 15 years and six sequels later, it’s incredible to think of the franchise that was born of that little film. It’s a franchise that has made household names of its stars — particularly Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. Their mix-matched buddy routine is a big part of what made the films so great. The sum was greater than its parts. When Walker died unexpectedly during the filming of “Furious Seven” it changed the trajectory of the franchise. “Furious Seven” was reportedly the start of another ongoing story. Instead, it’s become a beautiful and fitting send off for Walker, and the franchise as we’ve known it. By now everyone knows what to expect from these films. After a couple of OK sequels, the band came back together in 2009 for “Fast & Furious,” re-igniting the franchise and taking it to new heights. This latest installment continues that familiar formula, settling the characters we know and love in another desperate mission and, once again, upping the ante in terms of action. Director James Wan — who took over from Justin Lin — shows he has a feel for the world. The action is smooth and exciting, there is plenty of slow-motion eye candy, a pumping soundtrack and enough humor to keep things light. This is also one of the most fun action franchises around. It’s not deep or complex, but the stunts are fascinating, the characters have great chemistry and the stories are always satisfying. But this is more than just another movie in the franchise — it’s a swan song for Walker. Much was made of the efforts to finish the film after his death. You can feel that some of it was re-written to showcase Diesel alone, and there are some sequences where you can tell Walker’s brother is standing in for him — particularly near the end. That being said, the film does come together well, and does serve as another ride in the series and a loving tribute to Walker. The closing sequences really feel like the end. They’re emotional, feature flashbacks, and bring a sense of closure to this story. There have been rumors and talk about continuing the franchise without Walker and his character, Brian O’Connor, but I hope that doesn’t happen. This is a franchise that’s gone bigger and lasted longer than anyone might have expected, and “Furious Seven” provides a fitting and beautiful conclusion to this story. It’s hard to imagine adding another chapter after that ending.
Rating: PG-13 for prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and mayhem, suggestive content and brief strong language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, April 17 — "Paul Blart Mall Cop 2," "Child 44," "Monkey Kingdom," "Unfriended"

Friday, April 24 — "The Water Diviner," "The Age of Adaline," "Little Boy"