Movie Reviewed: Fast & Furious
Directed By: Justin Lin
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, John Ortiz
Rated: PG-13 for for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language and drug references.
Runtime: 107 min
Studio: Neal H. Moritz Productions

Fast, hot cars, half dressed women, and Vin Diesel are the foundation of this franchise of films with similar names and storylines. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), The Fast and the Furious (2001). Gotta love those deep title variations.



The opening scene of this year’s Fast & Furious, which can also be partially viewed in the promotional trailer, offers action enough for the entire film. The scene features a gasoline tanker being hijacked in the Dominican Republic, which is wrong and against the law, but of course the leader of the hijackers is Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), and so he is immediately forgiven for his non-law abiding behavior. The gasoline tanker scene is really heart pounding, and full of suspense mainly because Letty (Michelle Rodriquez), Dom’s girl, is tossed around like a rag doll between a moving tanker and a moving sports car.

In addition to all four of the main characters from the first film reuniting, another Fast & Furious highlight is the street racing scene, Paul Walker has returned as Brian O’Conner, Dominic and several other self- proclaimed hot shot drivers race through the streets to compete for a few paid driving positions with a local drug Lord. The street race takes place at a pace that seems to be real, and is reminiscent of the speedy cars that have tried to mow you down on the streets and highways.

In spite of the cheesy club scenes, where half naked women are kissing one another, and a cheesier “reunited” sex scene on the kitchen counter between parted lovers O’Conner and Diesel’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), this Fast & Furious has a story line that has a bit of substance, and possibly a new twist on an old issue. The film depicts some of the creative ways that the dealers run drugs between Mexico and the United States. Once again, the American border patrol officers are featured, as not really doing their job….as if we didn’t know that is happening.

The best part of having our boys back, is the realization that they can make 15 more Fast & Furious variation movies and we will still flock to them. Why? The easier question is this: hot men and women, beautiful cars, lots of heart stopping speed? Why not?