Back in 2001, people were going nuts over this new movie called The Fast And The Furious. At the time, I managed a video store. Customers and employees alike were ranting and raving about this flick. I wasn’t quite sure what was so significant about it, considering that the filmmakers couldn’t even come up with an original title (Roger Corman used the same title in a movie he producer/wrote in 1955). I figured I would hate it for sure, especially seeing as how I was a very cynical and jaded filmgoer (a condition that hasn’t improved) who hadn’t anything new and noteworthy in the world of cinema for several years. But my biggest apprehension of all was the source of said praise for the movie — these were the same yokels and high schoolers that told me The Matrix was the best movie ever (FYI: The Matrix really sucked).

So anyway, I wound up watching The Fast And The Furious and quickly declared it to be crap. There was nothing new to it at all: the story had been done before. This time, however, the plot was pumped up with steroids and adrenaline. There was nary a trace of estrogen to be found in the film’s cast (well, with the exception of Paul Walker, of course). Most of the movie centered around a blaring soundtrack, cops and robbers, and extraneous automobilic-type stuff that is commonly associated with Latino and Asian men (oh, and guys going through puberty in-general). But, worst of all, there was this big, beefy, dumb guy in the lead by the name of Vin Diesel (seriously, that’s a name?).

Needless to say, I avoided the next two movies. But with the series’ fourth and most recent (but probably not last) feature, Fast & Furious, I decided I’d give the franchise another chance, as well as its four “stars” (the term is debatable, according to Jack Horkheimer), neither of whom have appeared together since the first film (they really don’t appear together in this one, either — technically — but that‘s neither here nor there).

So how did Fast & Furious fare with me? Actually, it wasn’t that bad! Sure, this one also goes for the style over substance method of filmmaking that seems to be so popular these days. And, much like its predecessors, Fast & Furious relies on its stunts and music to keep itself flowing. All one really need do is suspend their disbelief just enough. I tried that with the first one, incidentally, but it didn’t work. Fast & Furious, on the other hand, was more “believable,” if you will. Justin Lin seems like he may be a more competent a director than that Rob Cohen guy from the first film, and after eight years, even the lead actors have improved.

Article Author: Luigi Bastardo

Luigi Bastardo is the disgruntled alter-ego of Adam Becvar, a thirtysomething lad from Northern California who has watched so many weird movies since the tender age of 3 that a conventional life is out of the question. …

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