Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto is leading a quiet life off the grid with Letty and his son, little Brian, but they know that danger always lurks just over their peaceful horizon. This time, that threat will force Dom to confront the sins of his past if he’s going to save those he loves most. His crew joins together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob (John Cena, the upcoming The Suicide Squad).

Long time Fast & Furious director Justin Lin returns to helm this extravaganza blockbuster action event and he definitely takes it to a whole new level. Cranking up the NOS and smashing into sixth gear, Lin literally takes this franchise into the stratosphere and it’s so unbelievably crazy that it just works. With each successive film is the Fast Saga we’ve seen this franchise get bigger and bolder with its storytelling, and Fast & Furious 9 is peak crazy. From full-on jungle chase scenes to John Cena’s Jakob Toretto literally zip-lining through the streets of Glasgow, to an appearance from Cardi B, Fast & Furious 9 has it all!

Lin throws equal parts explosively insane action, alongside some gripping back story, up on the big screen and he takes you back to the beginning of the Torretto story when we first meet a young Dominic and witness the shocking accident that took his father from him, and shaped him into the man he is today. Mixing together a deep family drama, with some absolutely crazy action scenes, keeps you pumped as an audience member, but it’s really the focus on Dom’s past that keeps things interesting, and long time Fast & Furious fans will appreciate these narrative developments.

Once again Vin Disel is front and centre as Dominic Toretto and this time it’s personal. As the alpha father of this eclectic family, Dom has some seriously hard choices to make this time, and his present actions are shaped by the fact that no man can outrun his past….no matter how hard he drives. Expect plenty of Diesel’s classic machismo and a whole heap of white tank tops, as he struts out to save the day. Having now played the role of Dom for twenty years, Diesel knows this character down to the bone, but we still get to see some new insights into this man which keeps things interesting.

Facing down Diesel’s Dom is WWE superstar and rising Hollywood A-lister John Cena as his estranged brother Jakob Toretto, a brutal espionage agent and assassin who has lived his life in Dom’s shadow. And Cena plays it up as this nasty bad guy. Known for his gung-ho action roles and goofball persona, Jakob Toretto is a real change-up for Cena and he’s one bad dude. Cena’s physicality is a massive part of the role, and we get to see him show his ground and pound skills, alongside some slick new moves behind the wheel. Cena is definitely a surprise in the role, and in my opinion, is one of the best parts of the film. And Jakob Torretto’s complex character leads me to want to see more of him in future instalments.

Everyone is present and accounted for here in Fast & Furious 9. And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE. Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster Nathalie Emmanuel, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell and Charlize Theron all make appearances in the film. Plus we’ve also got the return of Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift’s Lucas Black, Bow Wow and Jason Tobin as Sean Boswell, Twinkie and Earl Hu as well. Plus being that this is Fast & Furious 9, there are several characters who return in the most unexpected, logic crushing way, and it’s very fun to watch the other characters react to their re-appearances.

If you’re looking for action, well you’ll get it here, and Fast & Furious 9 literally goes to the stratosphere and back with some absolutely INSANE set pieces that are sure to have you amped! Seriously the level of action in this film is CRAZY, and you won’t be able to anticipate what’s coming next. Part of the fun of it is that Lin lets his characters have this sort of self-referential humour to all the craziness that is going around them, and there’s plenty of unexpected comedy that comes out of this one. If I had to talk up my favourite moment of the film it’s most certainly the rocket-powered Pontiac Fiero, a crazy contraption that shouldn’t exist, but somehow does, and leads to the film’s most memorably crazy scene.

Fast & Furious 9 is crazy level fun, and audiences who are seeking big action, big laughs and the quintessential story of the Torretto family will absolutely be rewarded with this one. So prepare to crank the NOS and brace yourself for a rush because this one delivers it!

Image: Universal Pictures

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After he and his wife are suddenly assassinated, Marine Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is reborn by a team of scientists. Enhanced with nanotechnology, he becomes a superhuman, biotech killing machine – Bloodshot. As Ray first trains with fellow super-soldiers, he struggles to recall anything from his previous years. But when his memories flood back and he remembers the man that killed both him and his wife, he breaks out of the facility hellbent on revenge, only to discover that there’s more to the conspiracy than he originally felt.

The comic book universe is becoming synonymous with cinema these days and now it’s time for audiences to be introduced to the Valient Cinematic Universe with the big screen adaptation of Bloodshot. This cult-favourite comic book centres on super-soldier Ray Garrison (Diesel), code named Bloodshot, who because of unique Nanotechnology can regenerate his cells and body tissue, while also delivering maximum damage along the way. Bloodshot is the directorial debut of visual effects savant, David S.F. Wilson and Wilson gives this film it’s own punk rock energy and brands it apart from other established comic book universe’s that we’ve become familiar with. Wilson’s approach to the film is one that fits in with the comic book style of the source material, but the emphasis is more on science-fiction and military action, with Bloodshot having a style similar to classics such as The Terminator and Universal Soldier.

Taking the lead in Bloodshot is Hollywood action star Vin Diesel as Ray Garrison, a veteran Special Forces officer and U.S. Marine MARSOC operator whose the best at what he does and who finds himself in servitude to the secretive RST Corporation, whom he uses to exact his revenge on those who killed his beloved wife. But while Vin’s pretty adept at carving up the bad guys, and there’s plenty of gunfire, explosions and destruction along the way, it soon becomes clear that not all is what it appears to be. For Diesel, the character of Ray Garrison gives him a challenge as an actor, not from the standpoint of the film’s focus on action and intensity, but rather the psychological drama that Diesel has to contend with as the broken down Garrison. This is a character who is afflicted by recurring elements of PTSD and amnesia and questions of identity linger with this character, and all of this makes things interesting for Diesel.

Providing support to Diesel up on the screen is rising star Eiza González as KT, a former Navy freediver, who herself is now one of RST’s biotech assets and who has been retrofitted with a mechanical re-breather that makes her impervious to any type of chemical or biological attack. González’s KT is very much the conscience of the movie, and it’s through her actions that Diesel’s Garrison finds much of his direction and realisation as a character to both his past trauma and the actions carried out by RST. Don’t get me wrong though, González is not merely a sounding board, and this girl gets her hands dirty with some seriously intense and bone-breaking action sequences and there’s plenty of gnarly stunt work on behalf of González for action fans to be excited about.

Scottish hunk Sam Heaughan also steps up here in Bloodshot, and while audiences might know him for his turn as the selfless romantic hero Jamie Fraser in Outlander, here in Bloodshot he unleashes his darker side as cyborg killer Jimmy Dalton. A former U.S. Navy SEAL who lost his legs in an IED attack, Dalton has been rebuilt by RST and is the muscle behind Harting’s intelligence. He has a real grudge against Diesel’s Garrison and is happy to rile him up and attack him every chance he gets. To put it simply, he’s a real nasty piece of work. Heaughan got absolutely jacked for the part of Dalton and he keeps up with Diesel as they go mano-o-mano in an intense full combat fight scene that sees Heughan’s Dalton fitted out with a high tech meca exoskeleton that gives him a greater range of movement and a whole lot of options to attack Garrison with. Heaughan makes for a great nemesis for Diesel’s Garrison and as an audience member, it’s a lot of fun to see him embrace his evil side in Bloodshot.

Finally bringing the film together is modern-day legendary thespian Guy Pearce who assumes the role of the film’s chief antagonist Dr Emil Harting, the creator of Diesel’s Ray Garrison, code named Bloodshot, and here Pearce brings a calculating and cruel style as the film’s chief antagonist. Part of the charm of Guy Pearce is that he is an actor who can do it all, and his vast range serves him well in whatever project he chooses to take on. Here he gets to play out the character of the master manipulator and the man with his eyes on the bigger picture. His pursuit of perfection makes him incredibly dangerous as an adversary and the final showdown between himself and Garrison is one that goes out with a considerable bang!

Part of what makes Bloodshot enjoyable as an action set adventure is the way that director David S.F. Wilson approaches the film’s narrative. Through the use of misdirection and innovations with his story structure, Wilson keeps his audience on edge and you never know what’s coming next or how the action is going to slam into you with this one. And when I say that Bloodshot delivers action…I MEAN IT! Wilson, Diesel and the film’s stunt team work to deliver something different with Bloodshot, and it stands apart from other high concept superhero films with its focus on military-inspired set-pieces and the film’s unique biotech-enhanced characters. If you’re looking for the film’s signature action sequence then it’s definitely the showdown between Garrison and Dalton, and this piece of combat gets downright gnarly. Trust me when I say that all of the adrenaline that is spent here will have you pumped!

Bloodshot is an intense action-packed ride and for those looking for a shot of adrenaline to their nervous system, well, they’ll get it with this one.

Check out Bloodshot on the iTunes Store now.

Image: Sony Pictures

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The fan-favourite director has packed the trailer with some fantastic unseen footage, which places greater emphasis on Nebula and Yondu, while teasing the appearance of a strange new alien race led by the gilded Ayesha, who has intentions of purifying the cosmos.

But the coolest part of the trailer arrives in the form of Kurt Russell’s Ego the Living Planet, a literal cosmic entity who has assumed a humanised form, and reveals himself to be Peter Quill’s father.

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista, plus featuring the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, this sequel to 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy is likely to be Marvel’s biggest release this year.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 arrives in cinemas on April 27 in New Zealand and Australia, and on May 5 in the US and UK.

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Here’s the synopsis:

Following their initial defeat of Ronan and their encounter with an Infinity Stone, the Guardians are struggling to keep their new found family together, while half-human/half-alien adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) searches for his real father.

If there is one reason why we love this new trailer, it can be summed up in two words: BABY GROOT!

This adorable little space tree steals every single moment in the trailer, mostly in the way he just wants to press the big red death button. Baby Groot’s new appearance and personality also appears to have redefined his relationship with Rocket, with the latter now more of a parental figure than a friend. But don’t let Baby Groot fool you — he can still deal to any enemy no matter their size…as an unlucky Ravager appears to find out.

This trailer is a rock n’roll extravaganza from beginning to end, and is set to the thumping tune of Sweet’s ‘Fox On The Run’, and I’ve got a feeling that this track will also appear on the elusive Awesome Mix Vol.2.

And while the teaser mostly revolves around the Guardians fighting a giant space alien, we also get to see more of the Ravagers, and are introduced to Pom Klementieff’s Mantis, along with her unique powers. But naturally when she levels them at Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), his playboy feelings get the better of him.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 will be released on May 5, 2017.

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A thief, two thugs, an assassin and a maniac: five degenerates who are the last people you’d ever expect to be heroes. When space outlaw Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), steals a mysterious orb he’s in for more trouble than he could have ever thought. Inciting both the rage of his boss, the space pirate Yondu (Michael Rooker), and the radical Kree warlord, Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), Quill finds himself with a bounty on his head, and is soon locked up with bounty hunters and best buds Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel), the deadly assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the marauding Drax (Dave Bautista). Forced to work together, this crew of rebels make their escape, and discover that Quill’s orb is something far more dangerous than they could have ever imagined. With nowhere to go, and half of the galaxy hunting them, these ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ decide to make one last desperate stand against Ronan and his evil forces in order to save the galaxy.

Guardians of the Galaxy is simply phenomenal. No mere comic book movie, this is a compelling space opera with some of the most outlandish and cool characters you’ll ever see on film. Director James Gunn was given trust over these outcasts and he delivered. Gunn crafts a story about a rag tag group of loser outcasts, people that nobody in the galaxy cares about, all of whom have faced unbelievable loss and horror, but through extraordinary circumstances come together to not only form a team, but a family, and who for the first time in their lives get the chance to do something greater than themselves. Whereas the Avengers are heroes in and of themselves, the Guardians only work together, separately their nothing more than criminals and outlaws, but together they can be heroes. Gunn’s passion for these characters and their incredible universe is felt in every frame of film, which the audience absorbs through some kind of visual osmosis. If you don’t know who the Guardians are when you enter the cinema, you will by the time you leave, and you’ll be guaranteed to want more.

Leading this group of rebel outlaws is Peter Quill, the self-styled StarLord played with complete awesomeness by Chris Pratt. Quill is an old fashioned swashbuckler, a rebel with no fear of danger, a swinging ladies man, and the all around coolest cat in the galaxy. Quill, who was abducted from Earth by space pirates The Ravagers when he was a child hasn’t had the easiest life. Through grit and determination he has survived in the universe, and is now trying to steal a piece of it for himself. Pratt pulls off Quill’s mercenary swagger with ease, he’s a modern day Jesse James, complete with laser guns, duster jacket, and a very cool helmet, but while Quill’s a guy who can look after himself in a brawl, it’s usually his quick wit and ability to run with the situation that get’s him out of trouble. It’s Pratt who set’s the tone for Guardians of the Galaxy in the first fifteen minutes of the movie, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s clearly having a ball with this character and it’s awesome to watch.

Then there’s Zoe Saldana as Gamora, a deadly assassin and the adopted daughter of the mad titan Thanos. Like all the Guardians she’s got issues, and is the initial consciousness that leads them on the path to becoming heroes. Let’s make this clear Gamora is no damsel in distress, she’s one kick ass chick who can rough it up with the boys, while kicking their asses in the process. Saldana has serious poise and grace and brings this to Gamora, and there’s a deadly elegance to how she swings her blades. Saldana is great to watch on screen, and she definitely digs Gamora.

Dave Bautista is Drax. There is no way to dispute this. A hulking marauder feared by all for his ferocity and strength, Drax also carries a tremendous pain that fuels his need for vengeance. Stumbling in with the Guardians, he’s ultimately the one who unites them, as he’ll have no one hurting his friends. Bautista, like Pratt and Saldana was again a wild card entry, and went through an exhaustive audition process to obtain this coveted role, but like all those involved it was his clear passion for the character of Drax, and the desire to make him his own that won him the role. With passion comes power, and Bautista knows a lot about this. Anyone who take’s on Drax will invariably get crushed, and he’s one mean fighting machine. Dave Bautista is Drax, and there’s no other way we’d want it.

And finally we come to Groot and Rocket, all around best buds, and the dual heart of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Firstly there’s Groot, the last of his kind, and who has one very memorable catchphrase, which goes something like “I Am Groot”. It’s Vin Diesel who brings this incredible and unique character to life, and he does a terrific job, again you feel his passion for this character onscreen. But you can’t have Groot without his out of control best friend Rocket, a feral, and very angry genetically enhanced raccoon, who while rough around the edges is actually a hero in waiting, and get’s all the best lines and screen time thanks to Bradley Cooper. It’s also these two who create the most heart felt and tear jerking moments of the film, which will have audiences welling up.

Guardians of the Galaxy also has a compelling supportive cast. Firstly there’s Lee Pace as big bad Ronan the Accuser, a fanatical Kree warlord, who swings his mighty hammer with psychotic enjoyment and who has no value for anyone he considers lesser than himself. Pace really lets loose with how terrifying Ronan is and his presence clarifies just how needed the Guardians are. Karen Gillan is pretty frightening as the morbidly jealous Nebula, and Djimon Hounsou is one ferocious hunter as Korath.

One particular standout is Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta, the blue skinned bandit leader of the Ravagers. Rooker is the only person who I could see as Yondu, and he really delivers as this cantankerous old space pirate, and Quill’s semi adoptive father and role model. Yondu has a particular love/hate relationship with Quill, and his weapon of choice: a whistle-controlled arrow creates a menacing silence whenever he levels it at anyone. He’s one badass character. There’s also Benicio del Toro as Taneleer Tivan, also known as the Collector, who has an amazing, yet creepy alien zoo, and who with a thoroughly crazed appearance and slightly morbid intentions is one to watch out for. And finally in a very cool cameo appearance, which will define the Marvel Universe, Josh Brolin makes his entrance as Thanos. Nuff said.

Guardians of the Galaxy is an emotionally dramatic, action-packed, extremely funny full on film, complete with its own kick ass soundtrack. It’s so much fun, and while some might see it as a mere Marvel superhero movie, it’s actually something more, something bigger than it was originally intended to be, just like its five main characters. If you want a good time out then head to the movies, strap yourself in, and prepare for one awesome trip across the galaxy.

Image source: Walt Disney Pictures.

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