‘Fast X’ First Reactions: ‘Stupidly Entertaining’ and a ‘Visual Spectacle’ but Some ‘Clunky Elements’

Hollywood came to the Colosseum on Friday as Fast X held a star-studded Road to Rome premiere, featuring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, John Cena, Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno and a host of other talents prancing on a red carpet rolled out in the Forums Temple of Venus, with the historical landmark as a backdrop.

The social media embargo expired after the Rome premiere, and people who were lucky enough to see Fast X a week ahead of its stateside theatrical debut on May 19 are calling the movie stupidly entertaining, a visual spectacle and declaring that it puts the franchise back on track. Others praise Jason Momoas performance as the main villain, but admit there are also some clunky elements to the movie.

The choice of the Italian capital as the first city in the world where the 10th installment in the Fast Furious saga would screen honored the fact that some of the films most high-octane action scenes were shot in Rome and its surrounding cities. (The production also shot on location in Turin in Northern Italy.)

All the action scenes we did in Rome were real. When we rolled that ball in the streets of Rome, that was a real one-ton ball that we set on fire, Fast X director Louis Leterrier told Variety on the red carpet.

Diesel also waxed enthusiastic about returning to the Eternal City on this balmy Italian evening. I could not believe that there was a [Dodge] Charger and we were shouting: Action! in front of the Colosseum, he added. I never would have dreamed that happening 20 years ago.

The action star, who also produces the Fast films, walked the red carpet in tandem with Gibson, posing for photographers and camera crews flown in from all over the world.

Where would be all be without your cameras rolling? Gibson exclaimed, We love you all so much!

Fast X stars Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Leo Abelo Perry, Brie Larson and Jason Statham and Meadow Walker daughter of the late Paul Walker, who makes a cameo in the film were also on hand on the spectacular catwalk ahead of the films public screening held in Rome nearby The Space multiplex.

See some of the reactions from journalists who saw Fast X below:

Caught #FastX last week! It’s a wild, non-stop action thrill ride that delivers the most shocking ending of the franchise, so far. Not perfect (end may divide fans), but it’s been growing on me I can’t wait to see it again. Universals def trying to make this its Infinity War. pic.twitter.com/0EWbLNezOi

Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) May 12, 2023#FastX is an entertaining thrill ride. It’s a visual spectacle with some truly incredible stunts and some wildly outrageous moments you’d expect from the Fast franchise, but what Jason Momoa brings to the film as Dante is magic! His performance oozes charisma. pic.twitter.com/UjOlR77aEF

Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) May 12, 2023#FastX is utterly ridiculous (I loved every second). Action sequences and one-liners left my face hurting from smiling so much. Momoa is hilarious. Ensemble rocks. Cinema? Please. Peak summer blockbuster? Hell yes. Built for a popcorn-filled big screen experience. @ComicBook pic.twitter.com/5XWLT4daQO

Liam (@LiamTCrowley) May 12, 2023Fast X gets the Fast Furious series back on track, and reason #1 is Jason Momoa, who plays Dante like Fs version of The Joker. Hes a gleeful psychopath, and its delightful. Along with a story that avoids what made Fate Of The Furious and F9 feel stale, its a win. #FastX pic.twitter.com/fgZy6gjYTR

Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) May 12, 2023