Summary
Astronaut Chris Hadfield analyzes the outer space sequence in F9: The Fast Saga, revealing that there's a scene of quiet reflection that stands out to him as accurate.
In Earth's orbit, Roman and Tej gaze with wonder at the Earth below, surrounded by the vast expanse of space. Hadfield expresses how this sight encapsulates the profound awe of such an experience.
Whether regarded positively or negatively, the space sequence in F9 deliberately embraces the more outlandish aspects of the franchise, symbolizing the films' departure from realism.
Real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield breaks down the space scenes in the film "F9: The Fast Saga" and points out one aspect that is surprisingly accurate. In the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, released in 2021, Vin Diesel's character Dominic Toretto returns to confront his estranged brother. The movie features extravagant action sequences, including one where Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) are launched into outer space in a Pontiac Fiero. Despite the scene's implausibility, Hadfield reveals in an interview with Vanity Fair that there is one element that rings true.
On a technical level, it is evident that a Fiero spaceship does not have practicality. However, there is a moment during the sequence that resonates with Hadfield's personal experiences. Read his complete comment below:
"Similar to a billion other individuals on Earth, I genuinely enjoy the Fast and Furious franchise. It is essentially like a cartoon, but undeniably entertaining to follow and watch. When they take off from the back of that airplane, resembling a C-141 but with two engines, their engines ignite and propel them into space. Just 30 seconds later, they are already in orbit. It took me eight and a half minutes, so they were truly moving at an incredible speed. They were undoubtedly facing immense pressure."
Why F9's Outer Space Scene Was So Divisive
And I particularly adore the moment when those two individuals, with their visors reflecting the scenery, suddenly find themselves gazing at Earth from the vastness of space. The sheer magnificence of that sight, coupled with their overwhelming awe and emotions, encapsulates the experience perfectly. In an instant, all the blue hues lie beneath you, as you venture into the eternal darkness, experiencing the profound reality of life unfolding in a mesmerizing curving arc across the planet. I am genuinely delighted that this captivating scene was included in the movie and portrayed so masterfully.
After its humble beginnings as a series centered around street racing and small-time criminals, the Fast & Furious franchise takes a dramatic turn starting from Fast Five in 2011. The action-packed stunts grow increasingly outlandish, the stakes reach apocalyptic levels, Dom transforms into an almost superhuman figure, and the laws of physics seem to lose their significance. This progression towards sheer absurdity culminates in F9, arguably the most mind-boggling sequel thus far.
Dom's early car stunt, where he somehow attaches a cable to his wheel to jump a massive chasm, may be the most exaggerated Fast & Furious scene yet. However, the moment a Pontiac Fiero is launched into space later in the movie exceeds that level of cartoonishness. It was a long-standing joke that the franchise would eventually venture into outer space, but actually doing so in the film marks a significant shift for the series. Any semblance of Fast & Furious being grounded in reality is now completely discarded.
While some embrace this embrace of absurdity as a source of entertainment in Fast & Furious, for others it signifies the franchise crossing into self-parody territory. Fast X doesn't feature a space sequence, but it maintains the same level of intensity as its predecessor. The direction of the planned sequels remains uncertain, but F9: The Fast Saga has undoubtedly established the tone for future movies.
Source: Vanity Fair/ YouTube
