I haven't seen The Fast & The Furious in many a year. But in anticipation of the upcoming 4th movie in the franchise, reuniting the original cast, I thought I'd check it out again.
And I'm surprised at how well it still plays. Essetially a lesser-remake of Point Break, substituting boy-racer culture for surfing, it follows a cop (a solid but vacant) Paul Walker, infiltrate (a typically magnetic) Vin Diesel's gang of petrol heads.
The stunts and set-pieces are well choreographed and shot, with the lorry-jacking sequences standing out. Director Rob Cohen revitalises his style with some glossy photography, and neat stylistic touches (the racing 'light speed' effect / the rollercoaster ride thought the engine).
It also successfully gives an insight into an unfamiler world, with the meetings of street racers and enthusiasts coming off as authentic.
On every level, this doesn't measure up to Point Break (Walker will never be as good as Keanu!!!) but its a damn solid ride. As I recall it came out of nowhere to bitch slap Driven, the year that it opened. In retrospect, that gap for that year's top racing movie has widened even further.
2 comments:
One of my favourite 'stick on and watch' movies. In fact I can sit down and watch any of the trilogy at anytime. The first is the strongest and the second may just be the weakest, but the day-glo car chases make them all fun. Heres hoping the fourth instalment, reuniting Vin with the franchise, (in more than just a cameo) will be worth it.
Have you seen the crappy 'bike movie' rip off of this??? The name escapes me, but it is more ridiculous and possibly more colourful.
I watched this on telly the other night. It was the first time I'd seen it in years.
Utter rubbish.
But at least it's well made rubbish. Vin's cool and single handidly elevates the whole thing above the crapness that is Paul Walker.
Personally I vastly prefer Point Break of which TF&TF is a total rip off of. Swayze is better than Diesel. Keanu is a waaaay (dude!) better plank than Walker and the surf sequences are powerful and quite beautiful. Point Break is also played out in a quasi-mythic style - especially the ending. It also has that amazing foot chase plus Gary Busey. Instant trump card right there.
So, not being a petrol head, and not liking those 'orrible looking Japanese cars with silly paint jobs and spoilers, this franchise just doesn't really do it for me. They're ok, but utterly forgettable in my mind. Unlike Point Break, this franchise is NOT "One hundred percent pure adrenaline!"
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