Dwayne Johnson (left) and Jason Statham play a couple of muscle-bound bald guys who don’t like each other in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.” (Universal Pictures)

Dwayne Johnson (left) and Jason Statham play a couple of muscle-bound bald guys who don’t like each other in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.” (Universal Pictures)

‘Hobbs & Shaw’ is silly, illogical nonsense. It’s also tons of fun

Only tangentially related to the “Fast & Furious” franchise, this one ticks every action-movie box.

The Rock is quoting Nietzsche, Dame Helen Mirren is in lockup for larceny and Idris Elba becomes the Terminator — while dismissing criticism of his evil plot against humanity with a blithe “Genocide, schmenocide.”

“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw” is exactly as plausible as I hoped it would be. Given how entertainingly its nonsensical pieces are assembled, this movie must be considered one of the summer’s biggest, goofiest surprises.

“Hobbs & Shaw” is a spin-off of the “Fast & Furious” galaxy, which explains the awkward title. There’s still a chunk of daredevil driving (culminating in a series of connected cars dangling from a helicopter — you know, the usual), but this time our focus is on a case that teams up two ongoing characters from the “F&F” franchise to stop a deadly virus.

Hobbs is played by Dwayne Johnson; Shaw is Jason Statham. Both men are famed for their lethal skills and their baldness, but they don’t like each other very much.

This is a basic formula for action movies and screwball comedies alike, and “Hobbs & Shaw” has a little of both. The constant bickering is actually funny, as is the thought that these two guys would be so petty they’d be trading insults even when the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

Adding considerable kick is Shaw’s estranged sister Hattie, played by Vanessa Kirby. She, inevitably, is an incredibly proficient special-ops agent herself, capable of outsmarting the brawnier men.

Idris Elba plays a self-described “black Superman” called Brixton, who’s been implanted with a steel spine and bionic sight — when we see things from his perspective, we see the same kind of computer-generated read-out that Schwarzenegger has in the “Terminator” movies. Brixton seeks to destroy humanity for similar reasons Thanos had in “Avengers: Endgame”: He wants to improve the planet.

Hattie has absorbed the capsules into her body (there’s a lot of tech you have to take on faith in this movie) and she has three days before they dissolve and let loose the virus. For you screenwriting students, that’s called a ticking clock, and it gives us a tidy timeframe to work with.

The story ends in Samoa, where Hobbs’ family lives. This makes as much sense as anything else, and the scenery is nice.

Logic has no place here. This is a film of stunts and devices and motorcycles that drive themselves. In one sequence, Hobbs leaps down the side of a skyscraper in order to catch Brixton as he rappels down (Shaw is taking an elevator), so a fight basically takes place in freefall over dozens of stories.

It’s ridiculous. And so help me, I dug it.

Director David Leitch also did “Deadpool 2,” and this movie aims for the same kind of wise-cracking, violent style. But it adds Dwayne Johnson’s hearty, cheesy cheerfulness to the mix, which becomes extremely difficult to resist.

Vanessa Kirby, who lit things up in “Mission Impossible: Fallout” (she was also Princess Margaret in “The Crown”), will presumably stick around for more sequels. This is a very good thing. Helen Mirren (Shaw’s jailbird mother) is as fast and furious as anybody.

Throw in a pair of fun extended-cameo performances (too good to spoil), and “Hobbs & Shaw” pretty much ticks every action-movie-buddy-comedy box. While hanging from a helicopter. And falling down a skyscraper. Like you do.

“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” (3 stars)

Two key players from the “F&F” franchise branch out to save the world from a deadly virus: Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, doing battle with arch-villain Idris Elba and each other. It’s ridiculous, but the bickering dialogue and over-the-top stunts make for an entertaining action-comedy, and Vanessa Kirby adds value as Statham’s special-ops sister.

Rating: PG-13, for violence, language

Rating: PG-13, for violence, language

Opening Friday: Alderwood, Alderwood Mall, Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood Cinemas, Meridian, Oak Tree, Pacific Place, Seattle 10, Thornton Place, Woodinviltle, Blue Fox Drive-in, Cascade Mall, Oak Harbor Plaza

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.