Movie Review: Fast and Furious (2009)
Like it or leave it, it's everything you would expect
Photo: Universal Pictures
I had a lot of fun with Universal's Fast and Furious despite the fact the storyline is so god-awful I am not even sure I could break it down without stopping every moment just to reinforce how stupid each turn in the plot actually is. However, when it boils down to it Fast and Furious is hardly about plot. The story is only there in an effort to make sure we get fast cars, nearly-naked women, explosions, gun fire and rap music on screen in a film that does its best to never slow down making it hard to find flaws while you are watching, which leaves the second guessing for the ride home.
The cast includes Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Michelle Rodriguez and Brandon Jackson. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Fast and Furious" is a Universal Pictures release, directed by Justin Lin and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language and drug references.
The film opens with an extremely impressive chase sequence bringing back memories of 2001's The Fast and the Furious as Dom and Letty (Rodriguez) lead a train of four cars closing in on a lone gas truck carrying four separate loads of valuable petrol. The goal is gas for that night's street racing and I will say some nifty camera work — including an impressive rising camera shot over a steep hill — and a finale that makes me say, "Finally the characters watched the explosion they helped create instead of turning away all cool-like." It was a perfect way to make sure the audience gave the film a chance from the get go and it also lets you in on what to expect: crazy ridiculous stunts at high speeds.
Walking into the theater be sure to turn your brain completely off as there is no denying moments in this film are absolutely ludicrous. Most especially, the worst of the bunch is a pair of mountain tunnel sequences that can only be compared to the pod-race in Star Wars: Phantom Menace, and I don't think any of these guys are rolling deep with The Force. Outside of that, and a split-second sex scene that is so out of place it would have been more useful to the story had they played a commercial, I had few problems with this film. Sure, the cops only seem to be around when the story requires it and the dialogue is limited to catchphrases when the characters aren't staring one another down, but all you need to do is sit back and cheer for the "good" guys as they take on the bad guys. The film doesn't ask you to think beyond "Wow, that was fast!" and "Damn, that girl is hot!" Objectify women much? Yeah, if you are a feminist you may want to stay away.
This is a testosterone filled feature that delivers on expectations and if you are even slightly interested you should already be in line and if you aren't then you probably weren't reading this review anyway. This film is in now way a masterpiece, but it sure was a lot of fun.
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Hmm. I didnt really find any redeeming quality's to this movie. I also enjoy the rest of the franchise for mindless entertainment, but it felt like this one was taking itself a little to serious. I also thought the car scenes were somewhat boring and just repeating the other films. To each his own though.
@chewbaca69: No, there isn't anything redeeming about it at all and it is just like the other ones. Did you expect anything more?
At least this one wasn't a commercial for mitsubishi like the second one was!
As someone who were not a fan of the series, I find it beyond my expectations when I saw it yesterday. It was surprisingly good for me.
Good movies, remind me of the first one but absolutely not the same anymore!….
Regards from Indonesia
This reminds of Roger Eberts quote about "Basic Instinct 2" that I used in my commentary on the "In Roger Ebert I Trust" thread:
" I cannot recommend the movie, but … why the hell can't I? Just because it's godawful? What kind of reason is that for staying away from a movie? Godawful and boring, that would be a reason."
So this is godawful but now boring. Right?
@Patricia: I assume you mean "not boring" to which I will say certainly not. :)
@Brad Brevet: Yes, I did. Thank you. (Oow, that tricky spelling stuff.)
the fast and the furious films used to be thrilling. But sadly the 2009 film wasn't any good. First for the people who have seen the movie i really hated how the movie isnt realistic. that WTF GPS stuff and that totally stupid find the tunnel scene ( the bit where dom and brian run and they have to crash through a specific place on the boulders. Sorry for putting off the people who like F and F, but im being very polite of not trying to swear. Universal films should improve the next series cos the ending to the 2009 one is so crap