Not much sags in “F9: The Fast Saga.”

It’s fast and furious, true to the title of the original, “The Fast and Furious” (2001). “F9” is the ninth in the series. There are 10th and 11th movies planned with the final release scheduled for 2024.

The “Fast and Furious” franchise is Universal Studios’ biggest, having grossed more than $6 billion.

The latest “F9” designation could apply to one of the marques in the movie, whether a souped-up, mid-engine 1968 Charger driven by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), 1974 Chevy Nova driven by Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) or a Jeep Gladiator and even an armored vehicle.

The movie’s title, “F9,” could be interpreted as a tribute to the Grumman F9 Panther (1947-’58) and subsequent Cougar jet fighter planes.

Indeed, “F9” takes to the skies with a stealth-like plane with a magnetic device that scoops up a Mustang GT350 driven off a cliff by Jakob Toretto (John Cena); an orbital launch vehicle for a satellite, and a rocket engine-powered Pontiac Fiero (shades of the DeLorean in “Back To The Future” (1985, ‘89, ‘90) piloted by Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), who wear spacesuits that make them look like the animated feature film characters, Minions, which does not go unnoticed in a quip by a space station astronaut.

“F9” takes the “Fast and Furious” franchise to new heights of action. The series began with an emphasis on street racing. That comes into play in a scene between Dom and his brother Jakob. The “Tokyo Drift” heritage (drifting is a controlled skidding and spinning of a vehicle) is displayed in several chase scenes.

“F9” is more gargantuan than its predecessors in one-on-one combat, chase scenes, special effects, stunts, locations and plot devices. The latest plot device involves electromagnetic machines that cause vehicles to crash, guns to be yanked from the bad guys’ hands and silverware to fly off the tables of unsuspecting tourists dining alfresco.

“F9” has huge action set pieces. Several involve martial-arts style hand-to-hand fighting, the firing of automatic weapons and shoulder-fired missiles, but mostly chases of vehicles in all kinds of situations: on city streets, off-road and the highway.

Back to direct “F9” is Justin Lin (“Fast and Furious,” parts three through six; “Star Trek Beyond,” 2016). Lin doesn’t do anything small and “F9” is no exception.

At the same time, in the screenplay that Lin co-wrote with Daniel Casey from a story he wrote with Casey and Alfred Botello based on characters created by Gary Scott Thompson, there are several thoughtful character and relationship-development scenes that provide an emotional core.

It helps that “F9” has a solid core of convincing actors.

Diesel is as monosyllabic as his facial gestures. And yet it works. He exudes a quiet charm that is irresistible. And then there’s that voice, a low growl that must be quite a challenge to record for the movie’s sound engineers.

Rodriguez is a nice balance to Diesel and is the heart of goodness in the “Fast and Furious” saga.

Cena wins the Scowl-o-Rama contest among the film’s actors. He makes mean look, well, meaner.

Charlize Theron is back as Cipher. True to her character’s name, we never really know what her motivation is.

Gibson and Ludacris are hilarious in roles that provide comedic relief.

Noteworthy in supporting roles are Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto), Nathalie Emmanuel (Ramsey), Sung Kang (Han) and Anna Sawai (Elle).

In cameos are Helen Mirren (Queenie), Kurt Russell (Mr. Nobody) and Cardi B (Leysa).

“F9: The Fast Saga” can be recommended for fans of the “Fast And Furious” franchise, fans of the actors in the series, fans of action films, fans of motor sports and fans of demolition derbies.

“F9: The Fast Saga,”

MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for sequences of violence and action, and language; Genre: Action, Adventure; Runtime: 2 hr., 25 min.; Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

Soon after the “F9” end credits begin, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) is seen working a punching bag. He opens a door to reveal Han (Sung Kang) standing there.

“F9” was filmed in Leavesden Studios, Hertfordshire, England; London, Los Angeles, Edinburgh, Thailand and Tbilisi, Georgia (formerly in the Soviet Union).

At The Movies:

“F9: The Fast Saga” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC at AMC Center Valley 16, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township. Per Pennsylvania COVID-19 guidelines, masks are not required for those fully-vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Movie Box Office:

July 2-4: “F9: The Fast Saga” was still the box-office boss, continuing at No. 1 for the July 4 holiday weekend, with $23 million, in 4,203 theaters; $116.1 million, two weeks, keeping “The Boss Baby: Family Business,” opening at No. 2, with $16 million, in 3,644 theaters, one week, and “The Forever Purge,” opening with $12.5 million in 3,051 theaters, one week.

4. ”A Quiet Place Part II” dropped two places, $4.1 million in 2,826 theaters; $144.3 million six weeks. 5. “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” dropped two places, $3 million, in 3,361 theaters; $31.3 million, three weeks. 6. “Cruella” dropped one place, $2.3 million, in 2,380 theaters; $76.4 million, six weeks. 7. “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” dropped three places, $2.1 million, in 2,954 theaters; $34.3 million, four weeks. 8. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” dropped two places, $1.2 million, in 1,716 theaters; $62.1 million, five weeks. 9. “Zola,” $1.2 million, in 1,468 theaters; $1.9 million, since opening June 30. 10. “In the Heights” dropped three places, $1.1 million, in 1,405 theaters; $26.7 million, four weeks.

Movie Box Office information from Box Office Mojo is subject to change.

Unreel,

July 9:

“Black Widow,”

PG-13: Cate Shortland directs Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz in the Action, Adventure, Science-Fiction film. Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, zooms around the Marvel Cinematic Universe during the time frame between the films “Civil War” and “Infinity War.”

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes