The original idea of Fast & Furious has little to do with this Hobbs & Shaw, this is their show. The two who are at odds with each other come together to save the World from “snowflake” a virus that can kill everyone on Earth if allowed to spread. M16 agent Hattie Shaw while attempting to control the virus is injected with the virus. Hobbs & Shaw learns there are only two options to save her: the first one is to kill her, the other is to retrieve the equipment from the Etheon factory which is in Ukraine and extract the virus from her body. That is the extent of the script. Most of the film is filled with action scenes which look like trailers advertising the film, cut together.
The stunts are far over-the-top from a chase scene that rivals the great San Francisco Bullet ride, as the federal agent and former British Special Forces assassin refuse to give up a chase no matter what barriers they must cross, slide under or cross over. They must also battle an M16 filed agent (Idris Elba) who has become a terrorist mastermind who is equipped with cyber-genetic physical technology that advances which enhances his body and he becomes a superhuman.
The guys do all the fighting, killing, shooting necessary to get to the equipment which can save Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby). Johnson even holds a helicopter together with vehicles on the ground by pulling a chain hocked on the two vehicles. The stunts are the heart of the film.
Johnson and Statham are used as part of the special effects, no need for great performances here. Even Idris Elba has a hollow part where he acts like a robot at times. The most interesting performances are in the hands of the women in the film. Vanessa Kirby a slender blond must carry out her strong commitment working between the two rugged large guys and also against the background of the muscular Samoa family of Dwayne’s Hobbs. It’s a great contrast to watch.
The film gets help from Kevin Hart comedy, he is a US Marshall called Dickley on one of the flights, and Ryan Reynolds who is constantly on the phone attempting to figure what is happening in the field as an agent at headquarters.
Hobbs & Shaw also introduces their mothers in this film, Helen Mirren gives guidance to Shaw from the jail where she is held. Hobbs gets help from his Samoa mom when it comes to putting a team together to defeat the evil ones and save Hattie by gaining control of the equipment which can free her from the virus.
Action is the word for Hobbs & Shaw, but don’t expect much of a story.