Blockbuster time: ‘F9’ continues the franchise

Above : Vin Diesel and John Cena headline “F9: The Fast Saga,” which opens on Friday. (Photo/Universal Pictures)

It’s been 20 years since the “Fast & Furious” franchise has debuted. And when the very first film opened, “The Fast and the Furious” on June 22nd 2001, very few of us thought it would become such an ongoing sensation.

It’s survived the death of one of the primary stars, Paul Walke r, who died in 2013 when “Furious 7” was still being filmed. It’s survived the threats by some cast members – part of the franchise’s so-called “family – to quit ( Michelle Rodriguez for one).

And the storyline has evolved over the years. It began as the simple idea of a cop (Walker) going undercover in the world of Los Angeles street racing, led by the mysterious Dom Toretto ( Vin Diesel ). But then things became far more complicated, involving high-stake thievery and government agents, etc.

Along with a string of directors, from Rob Cohen – who along with Walker and producer Neil H. Mortiz conceived the initial film’s concept – to John Singleton, Justin Lin , James Wan and F. Gary Gray, the series has attracted a number of big-time stars. Among them, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Kurt Russell and even the Oscar winners Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren.

Joining them in “F9,” which opens everywhere on Friday, will be John Cena, the WWE performer and actor. Cena will portray Dom Toretto’s younger brother Jakob who is now working with the character of Cipher (played by Theron).

The plot of “F9,” which was directed by Lin from a script he co-wrote with Daniel Casey , spans decades (with actors playing young Dom and Jakob). And it’s a bit too complicated to explain, though you’ll get some idea from the trailer embedded below. Anyway, who watches one of these movies for plot?

Some critics have already commented.

Mick LaSalle , San Francisco Chronicle: “It’s huge, it’s stupid and it’s wonderful. It’s a total blast and an invitation to put your mind into suspended animation for two giddy, ridiculous hours.”

Katie Walsh , Tribune News Service: “In ‘F9: The Fast Saga,’ bonkers on top of bonkers results in a truly delightful and vividly sensorial time at the movies.”

Bill Goodykoontz , Arizona Republic: “Is it a ridiculous movie? Of course, that’s the point. Yet it’s still kind of fun, and it all but insists that you enjoy watching it.”

And there you have it. Time to go back to the movies, masked but ready to enjoy all that big-screen splendor.