(2001)
Short Review : The 2001 hit "The Fast and the Furious" hearkens back to the auto-centric B-movies of the 1960s and 1970s, bringing the relatively underground culture of speed racing to mainstream attention. As in the "hot rod" movies of decades past, the tricked-out automobiles are the main stars, and indeed the lead cast members were relatively unknown or just on the brink of stardom at the time of the film's production. That the film turned into a surprise success and has managed to spawn three sequels in its wake demonstrates how easily young audiences can be mesmerized by fast-paced, colorful eye candy.
The film begins as rookie driver Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) attempts to immerse himself in the street racing culture of Los Angeles. He is initially laughed at and humiliated, but after helping one of the leading drivers, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), escape from the police, he is given a chance to show his skills. Unbeknownst to the other racers, however, Brian is actually an undercover police officer who is monitoring the illegal activity of this underground culture. But Brian's loyalties are severely tested as he finds himself increasingly drawn to the exciting and gaudy lifestyle of the street racers and to Dominic's younger sister Mia (Jordana Brewster).
To call the plot that strings the frequent and over-the-top racing sequences together thin would be quite an understatement. The story is so weak and uninteresting that, quite honestly, I barely remembered what the film was about after it ended. Part of the problem is that when characters are not racing at breakneck speed, the movie as a whole ceases to move. The dynamic that is built up between Brian and Dominic, as they are at once rivals and friends, and as Dominic is alternately trusting and suspicious of Brian, is never developed beyond a rudimentary level. All of the character relationships are superficial at best, including Brian and Mia's puppy love and Dominic's more passionate romance with the butch Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). What's worse is that director Rob Cohen treats all of these elements with reverent seriousness, failing both to see how ineffectual they are and to recognize that the target audience of this film has no interest in them.
"The Fast and the Furious" only truly pulsates with adrenaline when the characters stop talking and expend their energy on the open road. But while these sequences are filled with impressive stunt work and visual effects, even they fail to elevate the movie beyond a sluggish pace. The action is empty without interesting characters at its core, and even at its most violent, the movie just does not have enough substance to make the races or chases worth caring about.
The film begins as rookie driver Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) attempts to immerse himself in the street racing culture of Los Angeles. He is initially laughed at and humiliated, but after helping one of the leading drivers, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), escape from the police, he is given a chance to show his skills. Unbeknownst to the other racers, however, Brian is actually an undercover police officer who is monitoring the illegal activity of this underground culture. But Brian's loyalties are severely tested as he finds himself increasingly drawn to the exciting and gaudy lifestyle of the street racers and to Dominic's younger sister Mia (Jordana Brewster).
To call the plot that strings the frequent and over-the-top racing sequences together thin would be quite an understatement. The story is so weak and uninteresting that, quite honestly, I barely remembered what the film was about after it ended. Part of the problem is that when characters are not racing at breakneck speed, the movie as a whole ceases to move. The dynamic that is built up between Brian and Dominic, as they are at once rivals and friends, and as Dominic is alternately trusting and suspicious of Brian, is never developed beyond a rudimentary level. All of the character relationships are superficial at best, including Brian and Mia's puppy love and Dominic's more passionate romance with the butch Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). What's worse is that director Rob Cohen treats all of these elements with reverent seriousness, failing both to see how ineffectual they are and to recognize that the target audience of this film has no interest in them.
"The Fast and the Furious" only truly pulsates with adrenaline when the characters stop talking and expend their energy on the open road. But while these sequences are filled with impressive stunt work and visual effects, even they fail to elevate the movie beyond a sluggish pace. The action is empty without interesting characters at its core, and even at its most violent, the movie just does not have enough substance to make the races or chases worth caring about.
Director: Rob Cohen
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Theatrical Release: Jun 22, 2001 Wide
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
