F. Gary Gray’s “Fate of the Furious” sent audience expectations into overdrive at its release Thursday night.

“Fate” was the eighth film of the “Furious” franchise and the first installment of three to burn out the series. When talk of an eighth film broke out, critics were fiercely opposed and said the franchise was worn out and should hang up its tires.

However, the “Furious” franchise never raced for its critics but for its family. Fans have been the driving force behind every film with the franchise boasting one of the largest and most loyal fan followings of any series.

“Fate” delivered exactly what audiences expected: fast cars, spectacular stunts and unwavering bonds created through brotherhood. It’s an action thrill ride with no shortage of comedy, but it also introduced an extremely emotional subplot that connected audiences with the characters on an entirely new level.

“Furious 7,” released in 2015, ended the journey of Brian O’Connor and subsequently served as a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in November 2013. It was a meaningful and just farewell to both the character and actor’s legacy.

This film saw the resurrection of Owen Shaw, played by Luke Evans, and his brother Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham. Hacker and head-turner Ramsay return from “Furious 7” to join the team as well. One way the franchise continues to draw in fans is with their multicultural cast and few small roles that add comic relief.

Driving too fast can be dangerous and can often lead to careless mistakes. In the case of the franchise, the faster, the better. “Furious” prides itself on its standard of practical effects and realistic action without extensive CGI usage. Although their methods aren’t cost-effective, evident by their $250 million production budget, the effects are visually explosive.