Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 18, 2021

The Fast & Furious franchise has been steadily saturating the cinema landscape since 2001 when the original film, Director Rob Cohen's excellent The Fast and the Furious, sped into theaters and set the pace for a franchise that nobody could see coming, certainly not with this much ferocity, so much kinetic energy, all of this extensive depth and breadth, with such massive budgets, and almost limitless earnings potential. Two decades later, and now on the ninth film in the series (which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic), overcoming the loss of star Paul Walker (not to the franchise but to real-life tragedy), and managing to evolve into more involved (if not increasingly inane) plot lines, the franchise continues to hum along as one of the highest grossing of all time (currently ranked at #7 per CNBC). By now, Furious fans know what to expect: increasingly complicated stunts and insane action, an ever-ballooning character roster, and a universe plot line that continues to be stretched to its breaking point. But the films remain on-point; they deliver, no question about it, even if it's within the age-old context of "it is what it is."

Official synopsis: Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) thought he'd left his outlaw life in the rear-view mirror, but not even he can outrun the past. When his forsaken brother Jakob (John Cena) unexpectedly resurfaces as an elite assassin, the crew comes back together to help Dom settle an old score and stop a familiar foe's diabolical plan from destroying the family.

Anyone who hasn't been paying attention to the franchise, particularly across its last few installments, will probably find this one a jumble of characters and goings-on beyond their grasp; the franchise has not shied away from introducing increasingly complex character relationships and scenarios to the point that its evolution leaves it barely recognizable from the original film, or the first several for that matter. That said, audiences just looking for a quick thrill, a big adrenaline rush, and a relentlessly kinetic Action movie experience will certainly walk away satisfied, even if the narrative isn't quite so accessible as everything else. The movie is first and foremost an action vehicle and second, though not a distant second, a further character build and world evolution. Director Justin Lin proves well capable of balancing the film's needs, keeping his attention on the action but never allowing the complex world around it to crumble. It requires prior knowledge, but most casuals will find enough good here to make it a fun diversion, and maybe even pique the curiosity to go back and re-watch, or discover for the first time, previous installments.

For the seasoned Fast fan, however, this is a treat. There are secret reveals, surprise character returns, some cool cameos (from previous entries and from the larger entertainment world) and plenty of lore building, particularly as the movie focuses more intimately on the Toretto family. While action is the unquestioned propellant pushing the film (and the franchise) forward, there's an almost equally powerful pull to the characterization here to keep the film and the series grounded. While the franchise is probably too big for its britches -- there are just so many moving parts it requires some intense dedication to keep it all straight -- this film's tighter focus on the Toretto family proves rewarding even within the larger maelstrom of stuff around it. Lin and company manage to find a perfect balance and integration that just feels right, authentic, and true to the characters and the franchise.

F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Universal's 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation of F9 offers modest gains over the excellent Blu-ray, offering the expected boosts to color grading and clarity, albeit not so dramatically improved as to blow away the 1080p version. The refinements here add precision to both scales. The Dolby Vision grading offers superior color management to bold tones in evidence throughout the film, like black cars, natural greens, fireballs, or even a red tractor seen at Toretto's farm in the film's early minutes. Even washed-out skies look more precise and lifelike. There is definitely a feel for livelier, deeper, more obviously accurate colors in this version. They are steadier, healthier, just more pleasant to be around and look at. Flesh tones look fuller and less overcooked overall. Whites enjoy the usual boost to luminance and intensity while black levels are fuller, deeper, more absolute without overwhelming and crushing. Textural gains are agreeable, too. overall image clarity is noticeably improved, and while the increase from the Blu-ray is not dramatic, the resolution bump allows superior definition to faces, clothes, and various environments, whether natural or manmade. Noise management is better here, too. As far as UHDs go this one is merely good; it's not going to stand head and shoulders apart from the larger 2160p family. But it's still a solid boost from the Blu-ray and well worth the extra cost to enjoy the film looking its very best.

F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Is an audio review even necessary? Here's a Dolby Atmos mix for a high energy, relentlessly kinetic, massively budgeted Action film released in 2021 (and it's not from Disney) so of course the audio experience is going to be perfect. And perfect it is. Universal's audio presentation is a classic. It's got action aplenty spilling from every speaker with vehicular mayhem, incessant gunfire, rocking explosions, and score all filling the stage from above, behind, around, and up front with nothing but seamless excellence, perfectly placed discrete effects, and effortless audio cue movement and stage traversal. The subwoofer kicks in with ferocious intensity as needed, but the track is also well capable of defining mild atmosphere and subtle audio cues with equal elegance. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration. No more need be said. This one is a beast and an easy candidate for track of the year 2021.

F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of F9 includes two cuts: Theatrical (2:22:52) and Director's (2:29:55). On-disc supplements include an audio commentary track, numerous featurettes, and a gag reel. A Blu-ray copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover. Note that the title of one of the supplements constitutes a major spoiler for the film and the franchise!

• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:34): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• F9: All In (2160p/SDR): A nine-part supplement.
  
  
  • The Family Returns (3:19): Pleasing fans, building the stories, expanding the scope, Lin's direction, and more.
  • New Breed of Bad Guy (6:12): A look at how the franchise has expanded from a street racing movie to the tale of a broken family. It also looks at bringing on a new Toretto played by John Cena.
  • Building the Land Mine Chase (5:42): Making one of the most intense stunts and scenes from Fast franchise history, focusing on the cars and the explosions within the scene.
  • A Woman's Touch (5:10): A closer look at the female characters in the film and throughout the franchise.
  • Vin, Helen, and the Queen (6:07): Exploring Helen Mirren's role in the film and the particularly interesting relationship she and Vin Diesel share on screen and off.
  • Growing the Family (4:27): Briefly exploring some of the actors and characters who are new to the franchise.
  • Controlled Chaos (9:10): Shooting in Edinburgh and Tbilisi, crafting various fight and action scenes, new cars for the film, the film's "magnet gag," and more.
  • Tokyo Drift Reunited (2:48): Returning key characters from Tokyo Drift for F9.
  • Raising the Bar (3:22): A look at how the franchise has evolved yet stayed the same with particular emphasis on cast camaraderie.
• Practically Fast (2160p/SDR, 7:52): Exploring the practical stunt work that is seen throughout the film.
• Shifting Priorities (1080p, 3:59): Looking at the very deepest family ties that define the movie with emphasis on Vin Diesel's real-life parenting.
• Justice for Han (2160p/SDR, 3:37): Secretly returning a fan favorite character to the franchise.
• A Day on the Set with Justin Lin (1080p, 10:00): A look at the highlights of Lin's typical day on the set.
• John Cena: Supercar Superfan (1080p, 4:36): Cena looks at some of his favorite exotic vehicles.
• Audio Commentary: Producer/Co-Writer/Director Justin Lin explores the film in detail. The track is available with both the theatrical and director's cuts of the film.

F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

F9 is far from the best film in the series (that title still belongs to the original), but it might be its most emblematic since the original. The blend of high octane action and personal, intimate characterization with a tighter focus than some of the more sprawling past entries (which is all here, to be sure) altogether make this a fine entry and certainly a delight for longtime fans who know the series' ins-and-outs. For newcomers it's an adrenaline rush but established core fans will get the most from it. Universal's UHD is terrific. Excellent video and audio are expected, and delivered, and the disc includes a healthy allotment of bonus content as well. Recommended.