Fast 9 (2021) starring Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michele Rodriguez

Yet another bloated installment of a once-fun series that started as a POINT BREAK rip-off and peaked with 2011’s FAST FIVE. With no Rock (who clearly hates Vin Diesel more than he loves money) and no Paul Walker (RIP) the franchise brings in a surprisingly dull John Cena as Jakob, Dom’s estranged younger brother tuned mercenary. Lots of fan favorites and old faces pop up, two characters go to space (unfortunately, they return), there are ridiculous flashbacks to Young Dom and Young Jakob, etc. Unfortunately, it’s a largely unwatchable mess that somehow made me feel like the free rental from our local library was a rip-off. GRADE: D. – Dan Taylor