By: Omair Alavi The Fast & Furious franchise has become popular around the world due to its fast cars and furious cast; the makers of Overdrive tried to rely on the same theme and somehow succeeded in delivering a flick that doesn’t disappoint much. However, the production values, as well as a mature…
SAMAA | Omair Alavi – Posted: Aug 24, 2017 | Last Updated: 4 years ago
By: Omair Alavi
The Fast & Furious franchise has become popular around the world due to its fast cars and furious cast; the makers of Overdrive tried to rely on the same theme and somehow succeeded in delivering a flick that doesn’t disappoint much. However, the production values, as well as a mature plot, would have helped big time, may be in kicking a franchise based on their inspiration!
The Plot
Two half-brothers Andrew (Scott Eastwood) and Garrett (Freddie Thorp) have more in common than a parent – they are thieves who love to steal expensive cars. One such heist lands them in trouble with the mob and they agree to steal a priceless car for the head mobster in exchange for freedom. What follows next is a roller coaster ride ala Fast & The Furious although there is no Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson or even Kurt Russell to help them out.
The Good
The star of this film is not Scott Eastwood but the cars that the cast drives around fast enough to capture your imagination! Nearly all the stunts have been done practically instead of using VFX and that’s what keeps the audience engaged throughout the 90-minute duration of the film. Scott Eastwood follows Hugh Jackman and Keanu Reeves in trying to copy his father Clint and succeeds mainly due to his uncanny resemblance to his old man; it’s his screen half-brother Freddie Thorp who fails to impress. The cinematography and the way the intense scenery of Marseille are captured is what makes this film something to be viewed on the big screen.
The Bad
Writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas co-wrote 2 Fast 2 Furious but they seem to have forgotten that more than a decade has passed since their last film featuring fast cars. Just like the second installment of the famous franchise, the acting is stale, the ladies have absolutely nothing to do here and had this film been made in Pakistan, many writers would have lambasted the makers for this discrimination. As for the plot, well there have been worse plots in films revolving around car chases and heists but then, a few have been better including Baby Driver.
Verdict – 2.5/5
This is an ideal film for those who live and die for vintage Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs and Bugattis – the stunts are well choreographed and the pace is as quick as that of these iconic cars. The low-budget nature of the film is a big negative, otherwise, fans of Eastwood Senior might appreciate Junior. At least I did!
