THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS

This is exactly the kind of eighth installment franchise fans expect: fast cars, ridiculous stunts, bigger action, and a team that still believes family means fighting for one another. The humor is stronger this time, and the emotional storylines work because audiences have grown to care about these characters.

The movie also offers unusually positive Christian and moral elements. A cross necklace becomes important, prayer is spoken during a crisis, and the team gives thanks to God together over a meal. The film’s heart is in the right place, even though some of its heroes engage in immoral behavior and the content is far from clean.

That content matters. Strong profanity, sexualized images of women, and intense violence make this a movie for discerning adults only. If that describes you, it is worth the trip; otherwise, choose something else.

Dominic Toretto is enjoying a long-delayed honeymoon in Havana with his wife, Letty, when a mysterious hacker named Cipher forces him into a dangerous alliance.

Soon, Dom betrays his team during a mission involving an electromagnetic weapon. Letty, Luke Hobbs, Roman, Tej, Ramsey, and their allies must stop Cipher’s plan, save Dom, and prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands.

Four stars means this is highly entertaining filmmaking that delivers on its franchise’s promises. The action is enormous, with fast cars, ridiculous stunts, and car carnage pushed to new levels. A race on a frozen bay against a Russian submarine stands out among the film’s spectacular sequences.

The emotional storylines mostly work because the audience has spent eight movies growing attached to the characters. The film also smartly takes itself less seriously, adding more humor and creating a fun, always entertaining time at the movies.

The plot is straightforward, and the villain lacks compelling motivation. Still, the action, humor, heart, and moral themes make the weaknesses easy to overlook.

The film strongly exalts family, doing the right thing, fighting for one another, and protecting the world. Its heroes are willing to stand together even when one of their own appears to be fighting against them. The story also presents prayer, gratitude to God, and a cross necklace in positive and important ways.

The movie’s Christian elements are overt rather than merely implied. A character says, “Now we pray,” another man crosses himself, and the main characters give thanks to God over a meal. The protagonists also fight on behalf of the American government to protect America.

The film’s moral picture is not consistent. Some of the heroes engage in antinomian immoral behavior, and the story’s emphasis on family does not erase the troubling language, sexualized imagery, and violence. Its central values align with biblical concern for family and sacrificial action, but its heroes are not presented as consistently submitted to God’s moral law.

The film’s longing for family and rescue points toward the importance of belonging and mutual care. Scripture says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

This is big, funny, emotional franchise entertainment with a strong emphasis on family, prayer, and gratitude to God. But its language, sexualized imagery, and intense violence are serious barriers for families. For discerning adults who can handle those elements, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For everyone else, consider our family-friendly picks.