The original film, “The Fast and the Furious” was released in 2001 to mixed reviews by the uptight, older critics. Younger audiences, however, loved the film and graced it with boffo box office. The film also turned actors Vin Diesel and, to a lesser extent, Paul Walker into stars. Walker stars in the film as Brian O’Connor, a young, blond mechanic trying to make a name for himself on the illegal, street racing scene. He falls for Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster; “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) a hot-looking gal who hangs around with grease monkeys in pimped out garages.
The problem is her brother Dominic (Diesel), who is a big-name in street racing and doesn’t like anyone he doesn’t know. Dominic may also be involved in the robberies of tractor trailer trucks with his crew, including his woman, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez; “Blue Crush”). Brian also has a secret (spoiler warning) that he’s an undercover cop and looking to bust the guys responsible for the robberies. (end of spoiler warning)
The movie is faced paced and stylish, with souped up hot rods and scantily clad hotties. The music is pumpin’ and the races are extreme and exciting. Walker plays the outsider, pretty boy reasonably well but Diesel carries the story as the tough guy -- who’s not so bad once you get to know him. Dominic’s crew are fun to watch interacting with each other, showing a comfortableness from growing up together. Though there aren’t too many unexpected plot developments except Brian’s secret early in the film, the movie is about the action and the adrenaline. And there’s plenty of that.
The sequel, “2 Fast 2 Furious,” was released in 2003 with new director John Singleton (“Boyz N the Hood”) at the helm. The only returning actor is Paul Walker as Brian, who’s been removed from his prior position and is on the run. When he’s caught by the FBI, Brian is offered a deal, to help them in exchange for a clean record. He enlists the help of a former hometown friend, Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson; “Transformers”) who holds a grudge against Brian. The pair are supposed to help the FBI locate evidence against and apprehend a drug lord from Florida, Carter Verone (Cole Hauser; “The Break-Up). An undercover cop, Monica (Eva Mendes; “Ghost Rider”) is currently living with Carter and may have switched sides.
The new story felt like more of a stretch of believability than the original. There is more happening outside of the car racing in this film, with thugs threatening or stalking the main characters in seemingly every other scene. The film still captures some exciting race sequences, especially a highway scene near the beginning. Monica felt underdeveloped as a character, the director wasting an opportunity to greater involve her in the story. Brian and Roman don’t have the same stand-offish camaraderie that existed between Brian and Dominic. Roman is also distinct from Dominic, with a mock cockiness that doesn’t go over so well with others. The story is watch-able and enjoyable for the racing but it doesn’t recreate the underground culture or fun of the original film. Perhaps the locale was too sunny for a series which takes place in the shadows.
The third film, “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” in 2006 is a welcome refurnishing of the series, complete with a buff and wax. Out are the old characters and in is a new story revolving around Sean Boswell (Lucas Black; “Friday Night Lights”), a seventeen year old boy who moves from place to place with his family whenever he runs into trouble. He loves racing and has a natural but rough talent for it. Sean is sent to live with his father in Tokyo after getting into some more hot water. It doesn’t take long for Sean to find the local street racers. Because of the hilly terrain and tight space around the city, the racers have a special talent for drifting -- which is skidding the car around corners without losing too much speed. If Sean hopes to compete here, he’ll have to learn to drift and stay clear of the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia).
The series needed this parallel story, directed by Justin Lin (he’s also making the latest movie, “Fast and Furious”) to refresh the material. Putting the movie partially in high school helped regain the interest of the younger crowd. The race sequences are stylishly done by Lin, capturing the breathless anticipation and danger of the street racing scene. The supporting cast, many of them Asian actors, all have interesting roles as mentors or antagonists of Sean. Black is a likeable character despite, or perhaps because of, his penchant for trouble. “Tokyo Drift” ended up being my favorite film of the series, with its fascinating exploration of Japanese culture interspersed with the underground street racing scene.
I’m excited to see what Lin can do with the original cast -- all four main actors from the first movie are returning -- and his proven ability to skillfully capture street racing. If “Fast and Furious” proves to be as good as numbers one and three, the audience will be in for a treat.
"The Fast and the Furious" - 4/5 reels
"2 Fast 2 Furious" - 3/5 reels
"The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" - 4.5/5
