The Fast and the Furious (2001)

The Fast and the Furious

Release Date: June 22, 2001

Director: Rob Cohen

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez

Runtime: 106 min

This fast-paced action flick has a nice balance of fast cars, sexy girls, sexy girls in fast cars, and a fairly adequate mystery. It’s tons of fun. The police, a rival racing crew led by Johnny Tran, and another racing crew led by Hector are the main antagonists at play here. There’s rarely a real focus on any of the antagonists.

This is a movie where loyalties are truly tested. This also reminds us how truly bad Paul Walker can be. His excessive use of the word ‘bro’ might just make him an irritating presence for many. The point of the movie isn’t to have great performances (Walker is really the only bad actor among the memorable cast also including Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez), the point of the movie is to be fun.

Only one character is unlikeable. Vincent is a real sour puss. The movie’s characterization isn’t bad. Their roles are practically just established, and there’s a little back-story for each character. For characters we don’t know so well, one could care for their safety. Even though they’re racers and they’re plunging themselves into dangerous situations. Thorough characterization isn’t required, however, because this is fun, fast entertainment. The care is implemented on the cool physical appearance of the cars, and there’s not as much care implemented on the intellectual level of the movie; but who really cares? It gets the adrenaline going, and that’s the movie’s intention.

74/100

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