You don’t go to see a Fast & Furious movie for the complex plot, Shakespearean acting or eloquent dialogue. Not surprisingly Fast & Furious 6 features an unbelievable plot, hardy any acting and cryptic, sometimes goofy, dialogue.

You go to see a Fast & Furious movie for the popular returning cast, muscle cars, fast driving and incredible stunts. Add in musclebound heroes, occasional babes in bikinis, lots of fights and an explosion or two and you’ve the makings of a huge box office success, as franchise fans forked over something like $122 millon opening weekend.

It’s all mindlessly entertaining and enjoyable, even if the stunts are more unbelievable (or ridiculous) thanks to the special effects. The plot (something about stealing an invaluable microchip) is beside the point. It’s just an opportunity for Dwayne Johnson to call on Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and the rest of the regulars to help him catch the villain in return for legal pardons. There are several set action pieces, including one with a tank, and the finale, involving everybody and their cars plus a huge Russian plane is impressive if somewhat dragged out.

This may be the best of the series. You either like them or you avoid them, but the box office millions show the makers have a formula that works and will follow it to the bank for as long as they can. Don’t miss the plug for Fast & Furious 7 as the credits come up at the end.

Rating: three deer out of five

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Alf Cryderman is a Red Deer freelance writer and old movie buff.