The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Transporting classified packages for people - no questions asked, no names, no deal changes - does not seem like a life threatening career, or so Frank Martin thinks. It is only after his father is kidnapped and a bank robbery, orchestrated by femme fatale Anna and her three seductive sidekicks, that things get complicated. The kidnapping is all part of a grand plan to take down the human trafficker who victimised her years earlier. Now a pawn in her vengeful scheme, the former special-operations mercenary must use his covert skills and knowledge of fast cars, fast driving and fast women to outrun a sinister Russian kingpin and play her dangerous game.
Thumbs Up
There is some cool stunt work with the lead character’s car, which is the film’s only highlight. Ed Skrein narrowly manages the lead role after taking over from Jason Statham and did not overshadow the great Jason, at least for most of the movie.
Thumbs down
The movie was disappointing on the car-chase front for they were more about loud crashes and CGI than the thrill of speed. The movie adds nothing to the plot of the first three prior movies with the fight scenes getting old quickly. The stereotypical objectification of the girls is in bad taste. Ed Skrein exhibits none of Jason’s bad-ass magnetism when talking or waylaying the bad guys.
Verdict
The fun’s been siphoned from this one and now runs on nothing but fumes.
