The “family” is back in what is scheduled to be the first half of a two-part finale. There are some minor flaws, but one thing is for sure…this one has an unforgettable villain.

Dominic Toretto has been living a happy life with wife Letty and son Brian. When he learns about a job in Rome, he decides to take a step back and let his crew members Roman, Tej, Han, and Ramsey take on the assignment. However, that night, a visit from old rival Cipher is about to change the course of things. A battered Cipher tells Dom that someone is coming for him and soon enough, Dom learns the job is a setup.

The Agency is now under new leadership in Aimes, who believes Dom should not be above the law. When the job is Rome leads to a neutron bomb exploding in time thanks to Dom and Letty, they become wanted terrorists. Dom learns the one responsible is Dante Reyes, the son of Rio’s biggest crime boss. Someone Dom had stopped ten years ago. Dante wants revenge, but not by killing Dom and the crew, but making them suffer. Soon enough, rivalries become alliances as unlikely acquaintances of the “family” will soon help try to help them stop someone who may be unstoppable.

The end of the road finally begins after 22 years and nine films. What is supposed to begin the end of the road would be the “family” led by Dominic Toretto. With so many characters involved over the years, including the iconic Paul Walker as Brian O’Connor, who sadly left us in 2013, this installment introduces some new characters that all have a connection to past characters but just when it seemed like no one can top Charlize Theron’s F8 of the Furious and F9: The Fast Saga villain Cipher, that all changes with this one.

Jason Momoa is perhaps the best thing of this new film in the role of Dante Reyes, the villainous son of Hernan Reyes, played in Fast Five by Joaquim de Almeida. He seems like someone seething with vengeance. However, his father does warn him that killing isn’t the way but rather suffering. However, what Dante does to bring that suffering is to be so flamboyant that it can’t be unseen. Especially with a scene where he is sporting a pink robe with his hair in two buns complete with pastel painted fingernails.

A lot of the crew return in their signature roles and once again, they bring their style to the roles, from Tyrese Gibson’s buffoonish Roman to Sung Kang’s level-headed Han. However, there are two major switches from villain to ally in the form of Charlize Theron’s Cipher and John Cena’s Jacob. The former is quite important as even though she eventually becomes an ally, she does have to engage in major fisticuffs with Letty inside an agency black site as they recovered from serious injuries and Jacob going from ticked off younger brother to well, John Cena for what he brings. Yes, John Cena becomes John Cena in the film. As for Brie Larson, she plays Tess, Mr. Nobody’s daughter who despite Alan Ritchson’s Aimes giving orders, she goes her own path while Daniela Melchior’s tough as nails racer Isabel has a connection to the “family” as well.

The final moments lead up to a cliffhanger and the return of two memorable franchise characters. There is also a proposed spin-off with one of the two returning characters that will serve as a bridge between this and the final film.

Fast X is a pretty good start to a finale that does have a few minor flaws in some predictability but nevertheless, Jason Momoa’s over the top flamboyant villain is the best thing about this installment.

WFG RATING: B+

Universal Pictures presents an Original Film/One Race Films production in association with Perfect Storm Entertainment, China Film Co. Ltd., and Roth/Kirschenbaum Films. Director: Louis Letterier. Producers: Vin Diesel, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, and Samantha Vincent. Writers: Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin; story by Lin, Mazeau, and Zach Dean; based on characters created by Gary Scott Thompson. Cinematography: Stephen F. Windon. Editing: Dylan Highsmith, Kelly Matsumoto, Corbin Mehi, and Laura Yanovich.

Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Alan Ritchson, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Jason Statham, Helen Mirren, Luis Da Silva Jr., Daniela Melchior, Leo Abelo Perry, Joaquim de Almeida, Rita Moreno.