•
Fast & Furious (2009) -- A strong return to form with excellent driving and character dynamics,
8/10.
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~~ Movie Night Reviews ~~
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• Jogwheel Productions ©
2015 •
~~ Review
Script ~~
Released on April 3, 2009 - this $85 million dollar action crime film was a surprise hit that breathed new life into the fading franchise, earning $363 million at the box office.
Justin Lin returns to helm the curiously titled sequel / prequel that reunites most
of the cast from part one.
The first true, direct follow-up to the events of the original picture sees
Paul Walker once again teaming up with a reluctant and untrusting
Vin Diesel so the two can bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation. The well-paced 107-minute story begins with a furiously fun and pulse-pounding cold-open hijacking of an oil tanker in the Domican
Republic. As the exploding trailer rolls down the steep highway,
Diesel simply stares impending death in the face like it doesn't affect him.
Meanwhile, one of LA's shittiest and least trustworthy cops somehow got himself an
FBI badge, which thankfully comes with an updated wardrobe and much needed haircut. Reconnecting with his old flame,
Jordana Brewster in another understated performance,
Walker is reminded that, "
Maybe you're not good guy pretending to be the bad guy. Maybe you're the bad guy pretending to be the good guy."
Finally examining the life-alerting consequences of their decisions from part one, this is a much darker and emotional story - which thankfully includes noticeably stronger performances from the entire cast, especially
Michelle Rodriquez who is no longer wooden and confused.
Gal Gadot's sexy accent and slim figure make for great eye-candy, while
John Ortiz is convincing as
the determined drug smuggler
... but he seems to unnecessarily accentuate his
Spanish accent just for show.
Although the
PG-13 rated plot is more complex than this type of picture merits, it reunites our familiar protagonists in a believable way, allowing ample time for big set pieces and awesome races. Their slick driving skills are on full display during a pivotal audition race, that smartly employs 3D
GPS graphics to help follow the otherwise confusing geography of the drivers.
Scoring his second of four pictures for the series,
Brian Tyler provides the suitable, if unremarkable music... which he had to compose in only three days. Lin's direction of the anamorphic frame is often quicker than necessary during the action-oriented parts, but never to the
point of disorientation or confusion.
Touching upon themes of betrayal, and second chances, the dramatic interplay between these now established characters has never been stronger. So, if you like the unique blend of fast cars and big butts intertwined with emotionally complex characters - this is one racing movie worth seeing a few times. Although it doesn't reach the scope and excitement of its successors, "Fast & Furious", is a strong return to form with excellent driving and character dynamics. I thought it was a
GREAT movie.
~
- published: 05 Apr 2015
- views: 1553