ReelBob: ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ ★★½

By Bob Bloom

“Hobbs & Shaw” feels like a movie created from a recipe list.

You have the sparring good guys who continually hurl insults and act as if they hate each other, yet each always has the other’s backs in time of need.

Then, the villain with superior powers who has a back history with one of the heroes.

Finally, you have the estranged families of each of the protagonists who eventually come around, embrace and help their siblings.

“Hobbs & Shaw” is a cinematic erector set, created from familiar parts. And because it’s an offshoot of the “Fast & Furious” franchise (technically, the complete title is the awkward “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”), the movie is filled with various vehicles doing things not advised in the owner’s manual and that, frankly, seem to defy the laws of physics.

And that also goes for the physical punishment Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw endure. The punches, kicks and body slams would bankrupt Medicare if they were hospitalized.

In actuality, the movie is a big-boy fantasy; a cinematic frat-boy wet dream in which two overgrown juveniles — supported by their ever-tiresome abusive repartee, continually highlight.

The story centers on one of those deadly viruses that can kill millions if released upon the world — a storyline used in “Mission: Impossible” as well as dozens of other action thrillers over the past two decades.

A sinister organization is behind the threat; their weapon of choice is an enhanced former British agent, Brixton, played by Idris Elba, who, frankly, is one of the movie’s bright spots. He appears to revel in his villainy and, like most good antagonists, relishes his menacing one-liners and mayhem.

Also adding some spark is Vanessa Kirby as Shaw’s sister, Hattie, who is targeted by Brixton and is the focal point of the story.

A hint of romance develops between Hobbs and Hattie, so, if the franchise continues, this may become one of the ever-increasing subplots.

“Hobbs & Shaw” is fun but bloodless and rote. It adds nothing new to the genre. It is recycled cinema that, despite all its overblown set pieces, tries your patience and grows tedious — especially since the film runs more than two hours.

A series of cameos try obscuring the movie’s shortcomings, and while they do provide a few laughs, they really only are superfluous time-fillers to the overall story.

The film’s tone is mostly tongue-in-cheek, so you just go with the flow.

And that is mainly why I feel guilty about not fully embracing the film. It’s difficult to dislike a movie in which everyone — good guys and bad — seem to be having such a good time.

“Hobbs & Shaw” may lack charm, yet the what-the-hell, let’s-go-big-or-go-home vibe sucks you in no matter how hard you try to resist.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW
2½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), long sequences of action and violence, suggestive material, language