Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
High-octane heist sequel is violent but exciting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Fast Five
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say the film offers a blend of over-the-top action and entertainment, showcasing a heist storyline that is more engaging than previous installments in the series. While it features impressive stunts and notable performances, particularly from Dwayne Johnson, many reviews caution that it contains significant violence and mature themes, making it better suited for older teens and adults.
- over-the-top action
- heist storyline
- mature themes
- notable performances
- intense violence
- suited for older teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 50 kid reviews
Kids say that while the movie is packed with action and intense sequences, it features a significant amount of violence, strong language, and some sexual content, making it more suitable for teens or mature pre-teens. Many reviewers highlight its entertaining plot and the impressive stunts, considering it a top entry in the franchise despite its questionable content.
- action-packed
- violence
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- entertaining plot
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After the events of Fast & Furious, Dominic (Vin Diesel) is arrested and sent to prison in FAST FIVE. So his sister, Mia (Jordana Brewster), and her ex-cop boyfriend, Brian (Paul Walker), break him out and hightail it to Rio to hide out. There, they get involved in a car robbery that goes badly; to avenge themselves and earn enough money to clear their tarnished reputations, they assemble a team and plan to steal a fortune from a local gangster (Joaquim de Almeida). Unfortunately, this involves breaking into police headquarters. Worse, a gung-ho cop (Dwayne Johnson) is after them and won't stop until they're caught.
Is It Any Good?
Despite the movie's overlong feel (it clocks in at 130 minutes) and its general lack of originality or responsibility, it has enough slam-bang, popcorn-munching action to keep most fans happy. After practically sinking the series with the terrible The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), director Justin Lin refreshed things by changing the series from testosterone-fueled car racing action to Ocean's Eleven- and Italian Job-style heists. Fast Five, like the previous films, still objectifies women and features lots of car chases, but at least it also has some clever stunts and amazing set pieces.
In particular, there's a great bungled robbery in which the thieves try to steal three cars from a moving train; and then, at the climax, we get a has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed robbery involving two supercharged cars. These moments are beautifully handled, more so than the more typical shaky fight scenes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Fast Five's violence. How did it affect you? Does it seem at all realistic? How does that change its impact?
How does the movie treat women? Do you think they're included because of who they are or how they look? What effect does this have on a female audience's body image? What effect does it have on a male audience?
What makes these characters sympathetic -- even heroic -- even though they steal and destroy things? Can you think of other movies where "bad guys" are the heroes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 29, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : October 4, 2011
- Cast : Dwayne The Rock Johnson , Jordana Brewster , Paul Walker , Vin Diesel
- Director : Justin Lin
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence and action, sexual content and language
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : February 13, 2026
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