Review: Fast and Furious (2009)

[Homer Yen]

"Fast and Furious" - Familiar Parts, New Model, Less Maneuverability
by Homer Yen
(c) 2009

When the first film of this series came out in 2001 (which helped to
put Vin Diesel and Paul Walker on the map), it was a turbocharged
breath of fresh air.  The hubris, the bravado, the plethora of muscle
cars and well-toned women was a testosterone-filled joy.  And, it was
so bad that it was quite good in a campy way.  I left the theatre, sat
in my car, and just revved my engine wanting to be like one of those
bad boys who could hurtle down a city street in their NOS-equipped
street machines.

That was then.  Now, with guilty pleasures like Grand Theft Auto and a
heightened sense of caution spurned by those darn speed cameras that
line our county's streets (I can't even get my car out of 3rd gear),
the fantasy just isn't what it used to be.  And, while the movie is a
fun diversion and gives you everything you'd probably expect, this one
never achieves the velocity of the first.

No matter.  It does, however, get better mileage than the 2nd (goofy)
and 3rd (childish) installment.  Like the original, rivals Dom Toretto
(Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) have to work together to
outmaneuver a common enemy.  Much of the basics that made the first
film a surprise hit are present here.  The surviving main characters
from that film all reprise their roles, although each one is a little
more street smart.  Dom is still running from the law but his
brazenness has never dimmed.  His girlfriend, Letty (Michelle
Rodriguez), has obviously developed loyalty and love for him.  The
opening sequence features an exciting hijacking attempt as these two
(and their gang) attempt to steal several gasoline tankers while on
dangerous mountain road.

I personally would have liked to have seen the filmmakers devote more
screen time to their Bonnie-and-Clyde relationship.  But I hear that
the DVD will offer a featurette on these two and I will just have to
look forward to that.  In this film, Dominic has a personal beef with
an elusive Mexican drug lord.  Brian, meanwhile, has since re-entered
law enforcement and has been recruited by the FBI because of his
street racing skills.  His job is to infiltrate the operation headed
by that same drug lord.  With a common enemy, they sometimes help each
other, try to beat up each other, and find ways to annoy each other.
It was nice to see them back together.  A reunion with Vin Diesel and
Paul Walker, after eight years, seems long overdue.

In addition, the film also has a welcome feel of grittiness to it.  It
shuns the glossiness of Miami and the neon-infused prettiness of
Tokyo.  As raw as these characters act, these guys look much more at
home in this installment, wreaking havoc on congested city streets,
desolate plains, and anywhere else a 10-second car will take them.   I
especially liked the sequence that features a high-speed tunnel crawl
across the US/Mexican border, although it sort of encroaches upon
Speed Racer territory.

So, yes, I'm glad that I saw it.  But, now my question is this: where
can the franchise go from here?  There's only so much you can do with
these characters and these storylines.  And it's clear that Dom
doesn't really have an equal on asphalt.  These films seem to be
running out of fresh parts.  Well, you can still enjoy the ride for
now.

Grade:	B

S:	1 out of 3
L:	1 out of 3
V:	1 out of 3