By Luis Rodriguez
Staff Writer
“Fast and Furious 7” sent shockwaves throughout the nation on its April 3 release date, shattering numerous box-office records by grossing over $147 million in its first weekend.
In just two weeks it grossed a whopping $252 million, more than the $239 million “Fast & Furious 6” made during its entire run in theaters.
“Furious 7” was such a hit in theaters because of the big question: how would the movie end for Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Connor?
Walker died on Nov. 13 after a friend, Roger Rodas, lost control of his car while they were both in it and crashed into a tree.
“I was clutching my seat throughout the movie because I thought O’Connor might die at any moment,” Ashley Jordan, a sophomore education major said.
The mystery behind O’Connor was not the only factor that caused the film to be a success. “Furious 7” pushed stunts to the extreme, parachuting cars out of planes and jumping cars through buildings. Each installment of the “Fast and Furious” surpassed each other with their new stunts, elevating the once one-dimensional series to new heights.
The “Fast & Furious” franchise began as a street-racing series but quickly changed into one of the best action series of its time. Although the series seemed like it would end with its last installment, the ending of “Furious 7” has people speculating if there will be another part.
“I was happy that they did not kill O’Connor, but the ending seemed as if they sent him away to create another part,” Alex Sharvan, a sophomore computer science major said.
The ending of “Furious 7” stole the shine of the entire movie, surprising everyone with a Paul Walker tribute. With a movie full of action and stunts, Walker’s tribute is easily considered to be the best part of the film.
Even though viewers had to wait an extra year for “Furious 7” after Walker’s death, the film still delivered and touched the hearts of many. The film was supposed to release in the summer of 2014, but was pushed back after Walker’s sudden death.
“‘Furious 7’ was so good that I would have waited 10 years to watch this film,” Jordan said.
With “Furious 7” in the books, the question becomes what’s next for the series. Even if the directors plan to add another installment to the series, they will have their hands full trying to surpass “Furious 7.”
rodrigl13@bonaventure.edu
