Fast X Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs
3. It's A MILD Improvement Over F9
F9 was an aggressively mediocre entry into the series, and while Fast X isn't a whole lot better, it is at least an incremental improvement.
The objectionable story elements aren't as insufferable as they were in the previous film, it isn't crammed with any more of Dom's snooze-inducing backstory, and generally has a firmer handle on its tone.
While F9 arguably went a little too wacky for its own good with its underwhelming trip to space and excessively self-aware vibe, Fast X pulls things back a little and in turn feels a touch more consistent with what came before.
Again, still not a great or even especially good movie, and it won't invite stellar expectations for Fast 11, but Fast X at least doesn't take any more of a nosedive in quality.