Happy Head's™ Dermatologists Have Developed a First-of-Its-Kind Hair Growth Formula With Latanoprost, Finasteride and Minoxidil
LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Happy Head™ today announces the launch of its newest innovation, a topical hair growth formula with latanoprost. Designed by board-certified dermatologists and hair restoration experts, this revolutionary formula combines the strongest hair growth medications on the market. The exclusive offering is the first of its kind to infuse clinically proven latanoprost with powerful hair growth ingredients finasteride and minoxidil.
"At Happy Head™, we're always looking for innovative ways to solve hair loss. Latanoprost is a successful hair growth ingredient you'll find in products like Latisse for eyelash growth. To improve the results of latanoprost for scalp growth, we've combined 0.005% latanoprost with 8.0% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride. This new topical solution is a great option for those who haven't seen success with other active ingredients," said Dr. Ben Behnam, M.D., FAAD, and co-founder of Happy Head™.
Happy Head's™ new latanoprost formula will expand the company's product offering for a new hair growth option. Latanoprost enhances the growth phase of hair follicles, especially when combined with the strongest hair growth medicines on the market — finasteride and minoxidil. Dermatologists say three to six months of daily topical latanoprost, finasteride, and minoxidil use will not only help regrow lost hair, but also prevent further hair loss.
Previously, latanoprost was only used for eyelash growth products and not widely available for scalp regrowth treatment. But a new study showed that latanoprost increased hair density in as little as 24 weeks. Happy Head's™ dermatologists have cracked the code to unlock the potential of topical latanoprost for millions of customers looking for a clinically proven growth alternative.
Hair loss is a huge problem that can cause intense psychological distress. Over two-thirds of men will experience hair loss by the age of 35, but it's not just men who are dealing with this problem. Over 40 percent of Americans who experience hair loss are women.
Because hair loss affects so many people, this combination of ingredients in one convenient topical formula will provide customers with an even more powerful, clinically proven treatment with a lower risk of side effects. Happy Head™ is gearing up for several exclusive product launches this year that will continue to solidify its leadership in the telemedicine space.
About Happy Head™
Happy Head™ is a telemedicine provider of dermatologist-prescribed, customized hair growth medicine and treatments. Founded in 2021, Happy Head™ specializes in customized formulas to prevent and treat hair loss in both men and women. Happy Head's™ products are backed by some of the best dermatologists and hair restoration experts in the industry. The company hopes to help people who struggle with hair loss to not only regrow their hair, but also regain their confidence and sense of self often caused by hair loss.
AI-Driven Care Gap Program Has Delivered $45 Million in Revenue Since Launch
Get Well Get Well provides enterprise patient engagement and navigation solutions for hospitals and communities around the world.
BETHESDA, Md., July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Get Well, the global leader in digital patient engagement, today announced first-year results on a breakthrough Retention and Growth program created for Adventist Health leveraging conversation AI, virtual navigators and online self-scheduling. To date, the program has reached nearly one million consumers.
During the pandemic, millions of healthcare consumers did not receive primary and secondary care due to fear and access challenges. Consequently, annual visits and preventative screenings were missed while fee-for-service providers experienced significant drops in volume and revenue. Adventist Health recognized the need to implement a digital-first engagement-and-access strategy that would lift the burden off its care teams and meet consumer expectations for a personalized, self-service experience.
"We chose Get Well due to their track record of innovation in digital patient engagement at scale and willingness to partner together," explained Jennifer Stemmler, chief information and digital officer at Adventist Health. "We went after a big goal in a moment of need for consumers and a business challenge for our organization coming out of the pandemic. The results speak for themselves: nearly one million patients contacted via 15 programs, 12 care gap areas targeted, $45 million in revenue generated since launch. The speed to market, the commitment to driving business objectives, and the deep expertise of the Get Well teams were the driving forces behind the program's success."
Integration with Oracle Cerner to identify and outreach to qualifying consumers and streamline access back into care
Personalization of patient outreach through embedded links with curated selection of provider profiles for the patient based on zip code and other parameters
Get Well Navigators to augment AI with live consumer interactions
"We have prepared for 20 years to take on projects of purpose, scale and impact with partners such as Adventist Health," said Michael O'Neil, Get Well founder and chief executive officer. "At Get Well, we know both high tech and high touch is required to help consumers navigate to the best care. Even more motivating than the business results is the continual stream of 'patient love and loyalty' stories about the great care people are receiving at Adventist Health. The double bottom line is real and compelling."
About Get Well
Get Well provides enterprise patient engagement and navigation solutions for hospitals and communities around the world. Our products empower healthcare organizations to deliver patient-centered experiences that drive retention and growth, increase patient satisfaction, improve clinical quality and reduce cost of care. Learn more at getwellnetwork.com or follow Get Well on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Star Trek is about to boldly go where few shows have gone before, as the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will have a musical episode next month. That’s right, things are about to get funky on the Enterprise!
Revealed at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, “Subspace Rhapsody” – the seventh and penultimate episode of season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – will feature 10 original songs in addition to a spin on the show’s theme song. The episode is set to air on August 3rd, with the season finale (“Hegemony”) airing the week after.
This season of Strange New Worlds has been earning plenty of praise, with our own Alex Maidy saying it’s “looser and more fun” than the first. That seems to be holding true, as it’s not every year we get a musical episode of a show…Still, Strange New Worlds is far from being the only series to have a musical episode, with the gimmick being employed in shows like Scrubs, The Flash, Grey’s Anatomy, Daria, and the reigning champ, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Once More, With Feeling”.
Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike, a storied character in the Star Trek universe, having been first introduced in an unaired pilot before being replaced by Captain James T. Kirk. The character would get a more prominent screen time later on with J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness (Bruce Greenwood) and the series Star Trek: Discovery, where he was portrayed by Anson Mount, who also plays him on Strange New Worlds. As per Paramount+, “In season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories and encounters new life and civilizations. The crew will also embark on personal journeys that will continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies. Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures will unfold in surprising ways never seen before on any Star Trek series.”
How do you think the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will turn out? What is the best of its kind in television history? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!
OCALA, Fla., July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Fortifeye Vitamins, a leading innovator in the field of eye health, is delighted to announce the launch of its revolutionary product, Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula. This cutting-edge supplement represents a significant advancement in the fight against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and addresses the specific needs of individuals with sensitivity to zinc. This formula has been available in select busy macular degeneration eye centers and retina centers for the last two years and is now available to the public.
Age-related macular degeneration is a prevalent eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to vision impairment and a decline in overall quality of life. While zinc has been a traditional component in supplements targeting AMD, some individuals may experience sensitivity or adverse reactions to zinc-containing formulas. Recognizing this concern, Fortifeye Vitamins has developed a groundbreaking solution with the launch of their zinc-free Macular Defense Formula.
Dr. Michael Lange, Board Certified Optometric Physician, Certified Nutrition Specialist and host of popular syndicated talk show called "Ask the Dr", believes most of us get adequate amounts of zinc in our diets and it isn't necessary in a vitamin. However, he says certain exceptions are vegetarians, alcoholics, people on diuretics and those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. These, along with a few other groups, may need additional zinc and this should be monitored by their physician.
Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula harnesses the potential of various essential vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, meticulously chosen for their visual support and overall health benefits. The carefully balanced ingredients include B Complex, eight variations of Vitamin E, D3, C, saffron, resveratrol, pine bark extract, black currant fruit extract, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q10, taurine, acetyl L carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, bilberry, and curcumin derived from the turmeric root.1
Lutein and Zeaxanthin, included within the formula's innovative microbeadlet delivery system, play a vital role in replenishing macular pigment density, offering protection against harmful blue light, and serving as potent antioxidants to counteract free radicals. Scientific research indicates that as macular degeneration advances, macular pigment density diminishes, making these carotenoids essential for supporting eye health. These carotenoids also bring valuable nutritional support to the brain.2
To promote the health of mitochondria, responsible for ATP (energy) production and neuroprotection, the formula incorporates Acetyl L Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Astaxanthin, and CoQ10. Furthermore, all eight forms of vitamin E (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols) optimize the neutralization of free radicals.
Resveratrol, a potent polyphenol found predominantly in red wine, exhibits remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of resveratrol for various health conditions, including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Astaxanthin, naturally occurring in the ciliary body of the eye, provides remarkable benefits, including reduced eye strain, improved accommodation, and enhanced choroidal circulation. Additionally, it has shown potential benefits for skin health, brain, muscle endurance, and muscle recovery.
The inclusion of saffron, recognized as the most expensive spice globally, provides health benefits for overall well-being and ocular health. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that saffron can enhance visual acuity, making it an essential addition to the formula.
Clinical studies have substantiated the beneficial effects of Black Currant Fruit Extract, including improved blood flow to the eye, alleviation of dry eye symptoms, and enhanced dark adaptation.
Pine Bark Extract, another newly added ingredient, is rich in antioxidants, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown its clinical efficacy in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and enhancing retinal circulation in early-stage diabetic retinopathy.3,4
Bilberry, rich in potent antioxidants called anthocyanins, serves as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, supporting a healthy retina and improving tear secretion. Bilberry has also been shown to lower intraocular pressure especially when combined with pine bark extract.5
Grape seed extract, abundant in anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), safeguards the body against oxidative stress and inflammation, showing potential protective effects against cataracts and retinal health.
Taurine, highly concentrated in essential organs like the eyes, brain, muscles, and heart, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, supporting overall health in the eyes, central nervous system, and immune system.
To prioritize safety and address potential risks associated with excessive Vitamin A intake, this new formula does not contain Vitamin A or beta carotene, ensuring optimal absorption of essential nutrients. Beta carotene actually attaches to binding sites on lutein and zeaxanthin, blocking the absorption of these beneficial carotenoids. Fortifeye was the first in the eye industry to remove all beta carotene in their macular degeneration vitamins 15 years ago.2
Dr. Michael Lange of the Lange Eye Institute, Board Certified Optometric Physician, Certified Nutrition Specialist and founder of Fortifeye Vitamins, expressed his excitement about the launch of Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce this groundbreaking formula that addresses the needs of individuals with macular degeneration. Fortifeye is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions for maintaining and preserving eye health, and this zinc-free formula represents a significant step forward in our mission."
Fortifeye Vitamins maintains its commitment to the highest standards of product quality and safety. The Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula is produced under strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in FDA-registered facilities, ensuring consistent potency, purity, and efficacy.
Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Degeneration Formula is now available for purchase on the official Fortifeye website and through authorized retailers. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.fortifeye.com.
HOUSTON, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Golden Gift, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in support of the therapeutic use of blood plasma from young donors in treating age-related conditions, has shared an early announcement of significantly beneficial clinical trial evidence for Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) Treatments. Chronic conditions developing in our aging population are now currently accounting for 90% of the United States' health care costs. A frightening fact for the youth of our country is that health care expenses for these patients are expected to reach $5 trillion by 2025. Who will pay for it? Band-aid medication is not the answer. In fact, the greatest risk factor for disease is the degeneration of the body that develops as we age. The real resolution of age-associated diseases arises from insights into understanding and supporting the fundamental biology of age changes.
All animate and inanimate matter have the same universal molecular etiology. The science of physics indicates that genes do not drive the aging process, but the general loss of molecular organization does. Every organ and blood vessel in our body as we undergo our basic metabolism, replacement, and repair, experiences a movement towards spreading out or loss of energy. For example, hot coffee gets cold, balls roll down hill and 3-dimensional complex molecules cannot be created with accuracy indefinitely. Therefore, large organs and metabolic functions fail, and can no longer support the existence of the organism.
Age changes occur in every multicellular animal. As the system starts to lose the ability to create complex matricellular proteins, non-structural proteins that support cell function, it begins losing the ability to 'run the system' - your body. Longevity is determined by the ability to maintain the potential energetics of all molecules.
How long can one continue to make the necessary complex structures as the laws of physics work to break us down? Waves of changes in the dysfunctional proteome of the blood in the fourth, seventh, and eighth decades of life reflect this degeneration: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31806903. As less optimal complex usable proteins begin to circulate through the blood stream, the body becomes less efficient and as a result, we age, and we get sick: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31932806.
The removal of old cells and other debris, such as through the apheresis process, may in-fact, slow degeneration, and create some immune modulation, and cell stimulation. Everyone can use modalities of calorie restriction, exercise, and supplements to enhance the functions of their cells. However due to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, eventually complex molecules within the milieu cannot be produced any longer and must be replaced: https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1196/annals.1395.001
Young blood plasma, collected from sex-identified individuals between the ages of 18 - 25, reverses age-related profiles and initiates systemic rejuvenation by introducing 10K proteins, 5K peptides, 45 cytokines, 50 sex matched hormones and 1.84 billion exosomes per ml, along with minerals and gut microbiota metabolites from healthy volunteer donors at the peak of their reproductive maturity. What your body can no longer make, you can replace and really slow the aging process, enhance fitness, and ward off disease.
This concept is illustrated in patients with cardiac disease. Those with heart failure will produce higher levels of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) due to the stress on the muscle and overall cardiac function. A 79-year-old male had his BNP drop from over 1,300 pg/ml to 705 pg/ml after a 2-liter exchange, and a 71-year-old male with severe heart failure saw his BNP drop from 6,800 pg/ml to 715 pg/ml with 1-liter of his old plasma out, and 3-liters from young donors in, over two days.
Aging is now understood as a gradual, progressive deterioration simultaneously affecting different organ systems. Those with a faster 'Pace of Aging' tend to experience more rapid aging-related declines in physical and cognitive functions, have a higher predisposition to disease, and an accelerated time to death. We call these epigenetic changes. "Genetics loads the gun, but environment shoots it."
Evidence suggests that interventions to slow Pace of Aging will slow the progression to disease development and works to extend health/life span. The DunedinPACE is a highly accurate and reliable single-time-point measure of methylation that quantifies an individual's Pace of Aging by evaluating their present state health to different biological processes of a population that was followed for age changing markers over time.
Epigenetic changes that slow aging are difficult to realize and maintain. Prolonged significant calorie restriction was shown to reduce DunedinPACE by only 2-3% after two years: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-022-00357-y. Clearly, an overall healthy exercise plan as part of anyone's lifestyle has also been proven to reduce the rate of aging. However, due to the laws of physics, interventions without adding young molecules only work to a point.
A DunedinPACE of 1 was established to reference an average rate of 1 year of biological aging per year of chronological aging. Among Dunedin Study participants, the range of values extends from just above 0.6 (indicating an aging rate nearly 40 percent slower than the norm) to nearly 1.4 (indicating an aging rate 40 percent faster than the norm).
Sensitive to all interventions, the DunedinPACE very importantly allows testing of treatments intended to extend health span and lifespan in humans. For example, a 67-year-old male participating in our study with Parkinson's disease received 2.5-liters of young Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) through three exchanges within thirty days. In four months, his DunedinPACE was reduced by 18% to 0.82.
A similarly significant outcome was realized in four months by a 78-year-old female with a family history and personal signs of dementia. She received 1.8-liters of young plasma in two-infusions, reducing her DunedinPACE by 17% to 0.78.
Making an early announcement of significantly beneficial clinical trial documentation from an ongoing study is important from many viewpoints: clinicians practicing evidence-based medicine; future patients to whom the studies apply; patients currently participating in clinical trials; and scientists, investigators, and regulators who strive to balance continuing studies with disseminating data in confirmation of therapeutic advances as quickly as is reasonable.
Our Investigational young Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) Treatments Study continues to treat patients in the major cities in Texas by more than a dozen IRB-registered Co-Investigators. Additional outcomes will be presented at RAADfest in September and at the A4M World Congress in December.
All research in the United States involving human subjects must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), unless specifically exempted by a federal regulation. Review boards protect the rights, privacy, and health of the research subjects in determining research will be conducted in a safe and ethical manner.
The Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine Barbara Krutchkoff, PhD., Executive Director [email protected] / Phone: (888) 664-8893
CANTON, Miss., July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co., the renowned pioneers of the cannabis industry, and Southern Sky Brands, a leading provider of medical cannabis products, are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to high-quality medical cannabis products for the patients of Mississippi.
"This partnership is all about the patients. We want to ensure that the people of Mississippi have access to safe, effective, and compassionate medical cannabis options," said Tommy Chong, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. "By combining our knowledge and resources with Southern Sky Brands, we can make a real difference in improving the lives of patients in need."
Cheech Marin, co-founder of Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. added, "We believe in the power of medical cannabis to provide relief and promote wellness. Through this partnership, we are dedicated to delivering innovative products and patient-centric care to the people of Mississippi. Together, we can break down barriers and reduce stigma surrounding medical cannabis."
The partnership's primary focus is to address the pressing need for medical cannabis in Mississippi, working closely with healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and local communities to ensure patients receive the best possible care. By leveraging the unique strengths of both organizations, Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. and Southern Sky Brands aim to shape the medical cannabis landscape in the state and improve the lives of patients in need.
As part of this partnership, Southern Sky Brands, with their extensive experience in cannabis cultivation, production, and distribution, will bring their expertise and state-of-the-art cultivation facilities to ensure a steady supply of premium-quality medical cannabis products. They are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety, ensuring that patients in Mississippi have access to exceptional medical cannabis options.
Both Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. and Southern Sky Brands share a common vision of empowering patients and promoting wellness through the responsible use of medical cannabis. This partnership marks a significant step forward in achieving that goal as we collaborate to provide Mississippians with compassionate care, innovative products, and a patient-centric approach.
We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on patients' lives in Mississippi, as well as the potential to serve as a model for responsible medical cannabis access in other regions. By combining our resources, knowledge, and passion for the industry, we are confident that Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. and Southern Sky Brands will make a lasting difference in the lives of patients in need.
About Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co.:
Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. is a renowned name in the cannabis industry, recognized for their pioneering contributions and advocacy for responsible cannabis use. With a rich history and deep-rooted knowledge of cannabis culture, Cheech and Chong's Cannabis Co. is committed to providing high-quality cannabis products and promoting wellness for all.
Southern Sky Brands is a farm-to-patient focused medical cannabis company. We bring modern, state-of-the-art indoor cultivation methods to natural plant medicine. Our baseline standard is a medical-grade approach to growth, cultivation, and processing. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and procedures to produce high-quality, consistent plant medicine for patients with debilitating conditions. We are proudly Mississippi made.
BOSTON, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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With the fall semester fast approaching, a new class of students is considering how to finance the college bill. The choices made today will impact families for years to come.
That's why MEFA is urging students and parents to minimize borrowing and understand the long-term obligation of student loans. As an authority on planning, saving, and paying for college, MEFA offers a wealth of free guidance at mefa.org.
"The national debate on forgiving federal student loans has started a thoughtful conversation among new borrowers about how to achieve the college dream while minimizing indebtedness. A college degree remains a solid investment for many career choices, and MEFA is here as a public resource to help families. Together, we can reduce borrowing, carefully consider financing options, and place students on a course toward career and financial success," said Thomas Graf, Executive Director of MEFA.
To minimize borrowing, MEFA advises families to:
Use savings to pay for as many college costs as possible. This avoids interest payments that would accrue on a loan.
Ask the college about a monthly payment plan that allows all or a portion of the bill to be paid with interest-free, monthly installments.
Plan to work part-time to pay for daily expenses.
If families need to borrow, MEFA advises students and parents to complete the FAFSA to receive Federal Direct Student Loans. These types of loans typically offer favorable terms and conditions.
If additional funds are needed, students and parents can turn to private loans. With those, MEFA advises:
Know the total cost of the loan. Lenders offer a range of interest rates, and only borrowers with excellent credit histories are awarded the lowest rates. The repayment option selected will also impact the interest rate. The loan's interest rate can significantly affect the loan's total cost.
Understand that with private loans, credit scores matter. Unlike the Federal Direct Student Loans, most education loans require a creditworthy co-borrower on the loan to increase the chances of approval and a lower rate. But remember, every co-borrower has equal responsibility for repaying the loan.
Compare loans carefully. Every private lender is required to provide an Application and Solicitation Disclosure that details the cost of the loan, including fees. MEFA's 2023-24 Disclosure shows fixed interest rates between 5.35% and 7.95% APR*, with no application or origination fee, and no late or returned check charges. It includes the cost of various repayment options.
MEFA's experts are available to help with guidance on paying the college bill at (800) 449-6332 or by emailing [email protected].
Visit mefa.org for free college planning guidance including webinars, videos, the MEFA Podcast, and articles covering a full range of college planning topics.
*The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is designed to help consumers understand the relative cost of a loan and reflects the loan's interest rate, timing of payments, and fees. MEFA's lowest rates are only available to the most creditworthy applicants.
Contact Information:
Lisa Rooney
Public Relations Manager [email protected]
(617) 224-4838
With twelve films in the can, which movie in Christopher Nolan’s filmography has been your favorite?
With his latest, Oppenheimer, having the best non Dark Knight opening of his career, Christopher Nolan has earned his reputation as a filmmaker whose name alone makes his films not just an experience on the big screen, but a full blown event. We recently compiled our own ranking of Nolan’s filmography but wanted to ask you, the people, what your favorite film in Nolan’s 25 year career has been.
Thisepisode of Revisited was Written by Cody Hamman, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Adam Walton and Chris Bumbray, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
INTRO: Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner head down to Rio for the fifth entry in the Fast and Furious franchise. The most popular of the sequels, this one reunites Dom and Brian with several friends from previous films. Brings Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson into the ensemble. And takes the whole series in a new direction. The movie is Fast Five, and it’s about to be REVISITED.
SET-UP: Justin Lin thought he was done with the Fast and Furious movies after directing two of them. But while doing press for the fourth film in the series in 2009, he met a lot of passionate fans who had him re-thinking his plan to step away. And then Universal not only promised that the filmmaker would be able to do something different with the fifth film – they demanded that it be something different. In late 2009, Adam Fogelson was hired as the chairman of Universal, with Donna Langley as co-chair. They could see that Fast and Furious was an important franchise for the studio… but also that it had limited appeal. If the movies continued to focus on street racing, there was a ceiling on how many people would want to see them. By making this more of an action franchise, they could draw in a larger audience.
Fogelson told Deadline, “We wanted to see if we could raise it out of being about racing and make car driving ability just a part of the movie. Like those great chases in The French Connection, The Bourne Identity, The Italian Job.”
The first step in this transition would be to make Fast Five a heist film. The idea that the franchise would always be changing was very appealing to Lin. He was on board to make a sequel that would feature more action. Bigger set pieces. Including some sequences that wouldn’t even involve cars at all. And at the same time, he wanted to stick to the franchise’s core theme of family. This sequel would be about the found family at the heart of the story seeking their freedom. And they were going to bring back as many members of that family as possible. After two sequels where characters from the first film had gone their separate ways, the fourth movie was a reunion. Vin Diesel was back as criminal street racer Dominic Toretto. Paul Walker was back as conflicted lawman Brian O’Conner. Jordana Brewster as Dom’s sister and Brian’s love interest Mia. All three sharing the screen again. Fast Five would reunite them with more of their co-stars. Matt Schulze returns as the short-tempered Vince from part 1. Tyrese Gibson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges are back as Brian’s pals from 2 Fast 2 Furious, Roman and Tej. Sung Kang reprises the role of Han. Who was introduced in Tokyo Drift and was seen riding with Dom in Fast and Furious. Sure, Han was killed in Tokyo Drift, but we needed more time with the character. So now these movies are happening before the events of the third film, just to accommodate him. Tego Calderón and
Don Omar are back as the comedic duo of Leo and Santos, who were introduced in Fast and Furious. And so is Gal Gadot as Gisele, who also entered the picture in the fourth movie. She was working for a heroin smuggler in that movie, but really, she had a heart of gold.
Also back was Chris Morgan, the writer of the third and fourth movies. He crafted the heist story that brings all the characters back together… And while doing so, he was able to use an idea he had while writing part 4. He had envisioned a sequence where Dom and Brian would be seen dragging a bank vault behind their vehicles. That visual didn’t fit into the fourth movie, but it would be perfect for the heist movie sequel. Walker heard early on that the fifth movie would be set in Europe. As the story developed, the setting moved to a different continent. The film begins right where Fast and Furious left off. With Dom sentenced to prison, his cohorts decide to rescue him from a transport bus. And in doing so, cause a crash that’s very reminiscent of a scene from Another 48 Hours. Jump ahead a bit of time and Dom, Brian, and Mia have made their way from California down to Rio. They’re on the run and in need of cash. And Rio resident Vince has a job for them to do. They’ve been hired to retrieve three cars that were seized by the DEA. The complication: these cars are on a moving train. Things get worse when it’s revealed they’re working for a shady benefactor. Who has DEA agents on the train murdered, and intends to kill off his own car thieves. Our heroes manage to escape with their lives… And with a chip that is very important to their employer. Revealed to be rich and powerful drug lord Hernan Reyes, played by Desperado villain Joaquim de Almeida. To strike back against Reyes, Dom and Brian assemble a team of their associates. And start planning a heist that will involve them stealing one hundred million dollars of Reyes’s ill-gotten gains. They manipulate the situation so that Reyes will empty out his cash houses and consolidate his money in one location. They just didn’t expect that location to be a vault inside a police station.
Causing more trouble for our street racing thieves is the fact that they’re taking the blame for the deaths of those DEA agents. A Diplomatic Security Service task force has been sent to Brazil to track them down. And they’re led by the legendary Luke Hobbs, a tracker who never misses his mark. This role was originally being developed with Tommy Lee Jones in mind. Which would have been too on-the-nose, as he would have basically been reprising his role from The Fugitive. When Diesel noticed fans on Facebook saying they wanted to see him and Dwayne Johnson in a movie together, the character was reworked for The Rock. And Johnson hit the gym even harder to put on thirty pounds of muscle, making sure his character would seem intimidating. Hobbs is actually a much more formidable antagonist than bad businessman Reyes. But he’s not a bad guy. He believes Dom, Brian, and the rest are cold- blooded criminals. He has been tasked with bringing them to justice. And he’s determined to do his job.
When Hobbs gets to Brazil, he brings local police officer Elena Neves onto his team as an interpreter. Hobbs trusts Elena because her husband was an officer who was killed in the line of duty. She can’t be bought. But it only takes one meeting with Dom for Elena – who is played by Elsa Pataky – to start doubting that he’s actually a villain. She even starts wearing the cross necklace that he dropped, setting up a romantic connection between them. Gisele
was attracted to Dom in the previous movie, but he turned her down. So, while the film builds up a different love interest for Dom, Gisele and Han begin their own romance.
Although most of the movie is set in Brazil, only a small portion of filming took place there. The cast and crew grabbed a good amount of exterior shots in Brazil. And Lin filled the movie with shots of the Christ the Redeemer statue to assure viewers this is all happening in Rio. But a lot of the action was shot in Puerto Rico. Like the favela chase sequence and the climactic vault dragging. People involved with the production said that it was easier to film in Puerto Rico. Due to the logistics of getting the equipment to the locations. Having more control over the areas. And having wider streets to race around on. But it also helped that the Puerto Rican government offered eleven million dollars of tax incentives. The abandoned auto shop the team is set up in was actually a train yard in Atlanta, Georgia. And the train robbery was filmed in California… Which is glaringly obvious, because there aren’t any deserts anywhere near Rio.
REVIEW: Although the fourth Fast and Furious had been a reunion film, there was very little joy to be found in it. The set-up was that Dom and Brian were brought back together because Dom’s girlfriend Letty, played by Michelle Rodriguez, had been murdered. So it wasn’t a happy occasion. Following that dour installment, Fast Five is a great pick-me-up. This movie is a blast to watch. Dom and Brian have put their differences behind them, so it’s fun to see them interact again. And it’s really fun to see them share so many scenes with their friends from the other movies. Everyone bouncing lines off of each other. Having a good time. Forming new friendships. Finding love. And hoping to get rich in the end. It’s a very entertaining to spend time with these characters. They all had their moments in previous films. Now they have some awesome moments together.
This is also a bigger movie than any of the previous installments. It’s packed with action. And while there’s still a whole lot of vehicular mayhem, there are other sources of adrenaline. Shootouts. Explosions. A unique foot chase through a favela that even required Paul Walker to do some parkour training. And a showstopping brawl between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. As Ludacris said, “There hasn’t been anything this big since KING KONG VS. GODZILLA.” Diesel, Johnson, and their stunt doubles spent a week filming that fight. Making it even better is the fact they still found a way to do some character work inside this fight. Years earlier, Dom spent time in prison for beating a person with a wrench. A fact that Hobbs throws in his face during one confrontation. At the end of their fight, Dom has the chance to beat Hobbs with a wrench as well… And chooses not to.
The action starts early and comes frequently. The most expensive set piece was the train robbery. Which took up twenty-five million dollars of the film’s budget. Because the production had to buy their own section of a railway line. And then buy their own train. But this film had the highest budget of a FAST movie yet. One hundred and twenty-five million. Forty million higher than the previous film. So, Lin still had around one hundred million to work with once the train sequence was shot.
Of course, the most memorable sequence is the vault heist. Surprisingly, this was accomplished without ever needing to create a CGI vault. There were six different versions of the vault made to bring the sequence to life. Sometimes it’s a reinforced stunt vault that really is being dragged. Other times, it’s actually a four-wheel drive vehicle that’s just following the Dodge Chargers that appear to be dragging it. It was so hot inside that thing, well over one hundred degrees, that the stunt driver had to wear a special temperature-controlled suit. For some shots of the vault smashing into vehicles, it was a facade built onto the front of a semi truck. Around two hundred vehicles were destroyed during the filming of Fast Five. That vault is responsible for most of the destruction. And it’s very cool to see that destruction on the screen.
There’s such a wide variety of action in this movie, franchise producer Neal H. Moritz seemed to have some concerns. In his audio commentary, Lin said that Moritz kept telling him, “’This doesn’t feel like Fast and Furious!’ He would say that a lot as we were making this film and part of my reaction is, ‘That’s good, because in a way Fast and Furious is evolving. If I feel like it’s appropriate for the movie and it’s good for the characters, it’s good for the story, then that’s great. That means we’re not the same Fast and Furious as we were ten years ago. We weren’t the same as six years ago, as two years ago, and that’s a good thing. He’d be like, ‘Is this Fast and Furious?’ I just kept saying, ‘Look, let’s redefine what that means. We have the core of what Fast and Furious is, but why can’t we grow?’”
LEGACY/NOW: Fast Five is where the franchise truly enters the world of blockbuster spectacles. Some would argue that it went too far with the spectacle in future sequels – but Lin really hit the sweet spot with this one. It’s still recognizably Fast and Furious, it’s just revved up a bit. Blockbuster event movies tend to have longer running times these days, and so does Fast Five. While all four of the previous films fell right in between an hour and forty and an hour and fifty minutes, Fast Five surpasses two hours. Landing at one hundred and thirty minutes. But there’s so much happening, you don’t feel the extra time. It goes by quickly.
This was also the first time Vin Diesel started talking about sequel potential before the movie was even released. He had a history of turning down sequels. When they got him to come back for the fourth movie, it wasn’t certain he’d be back for Fast Five. But he agreed to return – for a producing credit, as he got on the previous movie, and a fifteen million dollar payday. He said he envisioned the story of Dom and Brian playing out as a trilogy. With Fast Five being the final chapter. But he and Moritz started plotting out a sixth film early on. And they also started planning to produce a Hobbs spin-off. Months before Fast Five was released, they already knew exactly what part 6 was going to be. Which is evident in the finished film. Fast Five has a mid-credits scene that sets up the next sequel: Eva Mendes makes a cameo as her 2 Fast 2 Furious character Monica Fuentes. Who has discovered that Rodriguez’s character Letty is still alive somehow. And she’s in Europe.
Of course, there was a chance that Fast Five could flop. Which would have put a stop to the development of part 6. But that didn’t seem likely. This scored higher with test screening audiences than any of the previous Fast and Furious movies. Universal had been planning to give the film a theatrical release in June of 2011. But just like they did with the fourth movie, they decided to move it forward. They’d get a jump-start on the summer movie season by releasing Fast Five in April. And once again, an April release date paid off in a major way.
The fourth movie had been the most successful film in the franchise. One hundred and fifty- five million at the domestic box office. Two hundred and four international. A total of three hundred and fifty-nine million. Fast Five’s box office haul blew those numbers away. This one made over two hundred and ten million domestic. It more than doubled the previous movie’s international box office. Ending up at almost four hundred and twenty internationally. For a total of almost six hundred and thirty million. In addition to the financial success, Fast Five was also a critical success, receiving more positive reviews than any of its predecessors. It was the biggest Fast and Furious movie ever, in more ways than one… So yeah, part 6 was guaranteed after all.
One movie later than originally intended, Fast and Furious did go to Europe… To some degree… For a movie that has the on screen title of Furious 6. Because 2 Fast 2 Furious set it up for the whole franchise to have wacky titles. Dom and Brian would be back, and so would most of their friends. Including Letty, living out a storyline that feels like it was lifted directly from a soap opera. Fast Five was only the biggest Fast and Furious movie until Fast and Furious 6 reached theatres two years later… And we’ll be talking about that movie in the next episode of REVISITED.
Back in the early nineties, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John McTiernan almost made Sgt Rock, only to be torpedoed by an unlikely hold-out.
In the late eighties/ early nineties, shortly after they did Predator together, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John McTiernan and writer Shane Black were all set to team on a big-budget movie adaptation of the DC comic book Sgt. Rock. This is why, at the end of Predator, Black is seen reading a Sgt Rock comic during the cast roll. According to author Nick de Semlyan’s new book, “The Last Action Heroes” (buy it here), the project was heavily developed in ’88 and ’89, only to be demolished by an unlikely candidate – Monty Python’s John Cleese.
At the time, Cleese was riding high on the success of A Fish Called Wanda, and McTiernan thought he would be an ideal addition to the movie’s cast. The film was set to adapt an old Danny Kaye comedy called Imitation General. Cleese would play an English cook posing as a general during WW2 and being protected by Schwarzenegger’s Sgt Rock. Rock was reimagined as a German who fled his homeland after Nazis killed his family. Everyone involved was sure this would be an action-packed epic – except for Cleese. According to McTiernan in the book, during a meeting, Cleese was “very polite, but as far as he was concerned, we were just a couple thug American action-movie makers.” McTiernan admits that, at the time, Die Hard hadn’t hit theatres yet. “If he’d seen Die Hard, I think he probably would have signed up. But he judged us on our reputation.”
As McTiernan explains, everyone was so attached to the idea of Cleese co-starring with Schwarzenegger that when the actor passed, the project fell apart. “It would have been delightful – John Cleese would have had so much fun making fun of Arnold and vice versa. That was the whole essence of the movie.”
Ultimately, things worked out well for all involved, with Arnold making Total Recall instead, while McTiernan went on to make The Hunt for Red October. Even still, one wonders what Sgt Rock might have been like had it been made in ’89/90. It might have been another action movie classic.
