While F9: The Fast Saga may be a little ways away from hitting theaters--as it doesn't arrive until June 25--the reviews for the movie are in. As the Fast and Furious movies continue to push the limit for what action movies can do, maybe they've gone too far with this one?

　　A few reviews have come out for the June release, including our own F9 review, and the reactions have been mixed so far. Over at GameSpot's sister site Metacritic, the movie currently sits at a 53 out of five reviews. That doesn't seem like many reviews, and over at Rotten Tomatoes, it's the same story with the same five reviews for F9 sitting at a 60%.

　　Why there are so few reviews for the movie at this time is most likely because F9 is getting an early release on Wednesday in Hong Kong and Korea, followed by Russia and the Middle East on Thursday, and in China on Friday. According to Deadline, F9 is expected to make between $160-$180 million combine in those markets for F9's opening weekend. More reviews for F9 will surely follow in the upcoming weeks.

　　Below, you'll find snippets from some of the early reviews for F9.

　　

IndieWire

"What matters is that F9 continues to make the saga feel bigger while bringing it home. The world of F&F has never felt more outta control than it does here, but for the first time in a long time it feels like it's drifting in the right direction." -David Ehrlich [Full review]

　　

Variety

"Sometimes, when you least expect it, a successful franchise will essentially morph into a different series. Over time, the 'Mission: Impossible' films became Bond films. The 'Fast and Furious' films have become 'Mission: Impossible' films. But 'F9' isn't constructed around an exciting mission. It's built around Vin Diesel and John Cena playing out the angst from the Toretto brothers' past. The family plot “works” (even as you’re aware of how thinly written Cena's character is), but it's not enough of an anchor; it’s more like an excuse. This series didn’t need more 'heart.' It needed everyone onscreen to get up to speed." -Owen Gleiberman [Full review]

　　

The Wrap

"For audiences who want their 2021 return to the multiplex to deliver big, loud, exciting action, “F9” makes the cars go fast, jump high, and generally do the impossible. It’s exhilaratingly ridiculous, yes, but it’s also ridiculously exhilarating." -Alonso Duralde [Full review]

　　

Screen Daily

"Those steeped in the franchise’s lore will appreciate F9’s nods to sidelined supporting characters--including a few whose return to the narrative is sure to bring cheers to packed theatres. But some of this fan service ends up feeling forced, as does one action sequence that satisfies a desire many Fast And Furious aficionados have long harboured about where the sequels might go." -Tim Grierson [Full review]

　　Like most movies set to debut last year, F9's May 22, 2020 release date was delayed numerous times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, F9 got its official release date on June 25, and a new trailer was revealed back in April that featured magnets flipping cars over. In order to hype up the movie, F9 star Vin Diesel put out a video about heading back to the movie theaters.

　　Mat Elfring on Google+