'One Fast Move' Reviews Divides the Critics

         On August 8, 2024, 'One Fast Move' was released by Amazon MGM Studios to a mixed reception from critics, currently holding at 25% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, an aspiring professional motorcycle racer, with support from his love interest, estranged father, and a local businessman, works to realize his dream. The ensemble cast includes K.J. Apa, Eric Dane, Maia Reficco, Austin North, and Edward James Olmos. Read the full review round-up below.

Image by DC Studio on Freepik

        John Serba of Decider writes, "The plot sets up Dean as a villain of sorts, a selfish opportunist and Bad Advice Dad with a massive ego, across from Wes’ angsty angst-ridden angstiness, but they’re both generic and underwritten, boilerplate arcs showing little interest in defying cliches. You will not be surprised to learn that Abel and Camila are positive forces in Wes’ life, but they can’t offer the rush and thrills and potential for motorcycle-based glory that toxic Dean does – so Wes follows the trail of psychotherapeutic bread crumbs right into the mouth of despair. Until he doesn’t, of course. The underlying theme here is that Wes needs to get the feel of racing with a pro bike on a pro track, and he can’t do that until he sheds his many burdens – the weight of his bad-boy past, the burdens Dean foists upon him, his tendency to think too much while racing instead of just racing. This is admittedly a rather generous reading of the text; in truth, the movie doesn’t go any deeper than a quarter-inch puddle in the oil pan." Adding, "SKIP IT. One Fast Move circles the same old sports-flick track, round and round, round and round."

        Daniel Hart of Ready Steady Cut praises the film, stating, "One Fast Move is an easy pick for a popcorn movie night. There’s enough good drama and substance to justify the genericness." Adding, "The character Wes works, too. Despite his flaws, you root for him. He gives off this “bad boy trying to make things right” vibe, which only emphasizes why an attractive woman like Camila would want him. She sees his potential rather than his past. She wants him to be a certain man, but as the audience, you can see what he may become through his father."

        Todd Jorgenson of Cinemalogue says, "Without mustering enough horsepower for adrenaline junkies, this motorcycle saga also charts a bumpy off-track road to redemption and reconciliation. Wes (K.J. Apa) is a hotheaded ex-con seeking a fresh start through racing his beloved bike. He reluctantly partners with his estranged father (Eric Dane), an alcoholic ex-racer whose misguided mentorship comes with ulterior motives. There’s also an obligatory rivalry to settle a grudge, a diner waitress (Maia Reficco) providing the love interest, and a wise old sage (Edward James Olmos) running the local repair shop. Although some of the racing sequences are exciting, the cliché-fueled screenplay runs out of gas well before the finish line."

       Frank Swietek of One Guy's Opinion notes, "It’s difficult to say which are more numerous—the cycles or the clichés—in Kelly Blatz’s movie about a young biker who aims to become a pro...a warmed-over retread of the kind of sports story we’ve seen many times before." Concluding, "One expects that, except for Apa devotees and motorcycle enthusiasts, the number of viewers for “One Fast Move” will be modest, too."