If you've seen the trailer for The Fate Of The Furious, you already know you're in for a lot of fun. As if a Fast and the Furious movie could be anything else, right? In the eighth film of the franchise, there's an all-out prison brawl between Jason Statham and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a rogue Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) turning against his family, and the series' first female villain in Charlize Theron's Cipher, who is leading an army of zombie cars and stealing submarines. But when you see one of these movies, you also know you're going to get a welcome blast from the past. This family-focused series is always happy to serve fans a happy helping of nostalgia, always offering up Fast and the Furious Easter Eggs for those familiar with the franchise's world, and Fate Of The Furious is no different.
In the new movie, fans will get a few callbacks to the last seven films, including a welcome cameo from two members of Dom's team. Of course, there's also a few moments honoring the Brian O'Conner and the late actor who played him, Paul Walker. So friends, buckle up and get ready for a ride filled with surprises. Spoilers ahead!
1. Dom Takes A Page Put Of Brian's Racing Book
In honor of Walker, the opening sequence of the movie, which was filmed in Havana, Cuba, features Dom (Vin Diesel) doing Brian's signature engine trick that he pulled out in the first movie to gain a little speed.
2. Deckard Shaw Throws Hobbs Word Right Back At Him
If you remember, Furious 7 ends with Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) very smugly taking Deckard (Jason Statham) to his cell at the CIA Detention Black Site. As he lock Deckard away, Hobbs makes sure to tell him that he will have some serious digging to do if he plans to go another round with him. "Well, once you dig through 38 feet of concrete and steel, my fist and a body bag will be waiting for you on the other side. So I suggest you get to digging, boy."
Well, when Hobbs ends up in the same secret detention site, Deckard can't help but give him the same spiel. Can you really blame him, though?
3. That Diamond Cross Should Look Very Familiar
In Furious 7, we learned Dom's cross wasn't just a piece of jewelry that reminded him of Letty, who was the original owner of the necklace, but actually their version of a wedding ring. They wrapped the chain around their hands as they read their vows, which is why Dom was willing to risk it all in Fast Five, breaking into Elena's house for the chain, to get it back. In Fate Of The Furious, the necklace also plays a special role, but you'll have to wait until the final act of the movie to figure out exactly what that is.
4. The Return Of The Family Dinner
Get ready for a good ol' fashioned family BBQ, Dominic Toretto-style. This one of course was a little more somber than the last dinner in Fast & Furious 6. Diesel told USA Today that filming the scene without his late friend Walker wasn't easy.
I had never done a barbecue scene without him. And every time I had ever done a barbecue scene, the first thing I was always asked is, 'Where does Paul sit? Where does Brian sit?' And that wasn’t happening. And I just cracked and broke down and had to walk off set to collect myself. That was the only time I wasn’t strong enough to keep it together.
But, Dom does manage to give a rousing speech that you know is all about family.
5. God's Eye Is Still Watching
Last time around, the fast and furious gang was all about finding God's Eye, a "tracking device on steroids," according to Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell). This little program can hack into anything with a microphone or a lens — a cellphone, a red light camera, an ATM machine — making it a pretty good trick to have up your sleeve. Unfortunately, Cipher may have just gotten hold of it. Definitely not good.
6. Tego Leo & Rico Santos Are Back
For those who loved these two Dom acolytes in Fast & Furious, Fast Five and Fast & Furious 6, keep your eyes peeled for their small but memorable cameos that I can only hope will lead to some bigger parts in the ninth and tenth movies.
7. Paul Walker Gets Another Final Scene Tribute
No spoilers here, but pay attention to the final scene of this movie, which, like Furious 7, honors Walker in a very sweet way. Diesel told USA Today that it's the "the greatest tribute" to the late actor, and I can't help but agree.
Fate Of The Furious may move the story forward, but it's not afraid to go back and honor its history or its family.
