动作大片《速度与激情5》

    The fifth edition of “The Fast and the Furious” is set in Rio de Janeiro. Vin Diesel plays Dom, the ex-con* street-racing Robin Hood*. On his trail is Dwayne Johnson’s agent Hobbs.

    In Dom’s corner is most of his old crew*, anchored by Paul Walker’s ex-undercover* cop, now married to Dom’s sister (Jordana Brewster), because nothing strengthens a relationship like breaking a future brother-in-law out of jail* (see No. 4 for more).

    Director Justin Lin, who’s been in the driver’s seat since No. 3, 2006’s “Tokyo Drift,” makes the movie engaging from the beginning — it involves a speeding train, deluxe cars in need of stealing, federal agents dying, a bridge looming and characters talking.

    In addition to nearly every actor who’s ever taken the “Fast” ride, most of the core* creative team is back as well, including screenwriter Chris Morgan for his third go. He and Lin have reformed the movie — originally about underground street racing — into a heist movie*.

    It’s a complicated* setup. Things didn’t go as planned on the speeding train, and now Rio’s drug kingpin* (Joaquim de Almeida) and his thugs* are after Dom and crew. Dom’s not happy either and is planning to steal the kingpin’s money.

    Meanwhile, Hobbs has gathered an army to bring in Dom and friends for those agents’ deaths. Hobbs takes in local cop Elena (Elsa Pataky), because — road rules — there can never be too many pretty girls or too many cars, and now major firepower’s been tacked onto the list.

    Lin makes sure the humor isn’t lost either. As always, the pacing is a strange mix. When things are simmering — the kingpin ordering killings, Dom making up careful schemes — everybody just hangs loose, grabs a beer and barbecue ribs. Then suddenly it’s high action again.

    Rio works well as a backdrop* for all that — a footrace across rooftops and down alleys* of a hillside town is one of the most visually attractive action sequences. The locale is also a good excuse to put about half the dialogue in Portuguese*, with English subtitles — a show of respect to the series’ many international fans.

    Tucked inside all the running and gunning are a lot of heart-to-hearts about fatherhood, brotherhood, family, loyalty* and love in the talkiest “Fast” yet. (SD-Agencies)