Its a sequel Its a film that reels people in for seeing the cars so what're they gunna do for a storyline? Where's the main star we know and love? Its not so groundbreaking anymore
ACTUALITY:
Well as mainstream films go, this can join the line of cliches. Hollywood has reeled off another formulaic plot, just that the situation is different. This time its all about car chases instead of just one car chase set piece.
-Plot- If you've ever seen a film about undercover cops being found out by an evil trendy bad guy, where the main hero's love interest is also entangled into the sticky web of the story, making for an entirely predictable ending -- then you know what'll happen before you get there.
-Script- Tacked on, macho bull****. Nothing new or inventive. However there are a few comic moments.
-Characters- Probably the thing which gives it the most lack of credibility. They all have a certain machismo which gets a little tiring. Most characters embrace black culture (the racers), there are a few gnarled FBI 'i will not jepardise the mission' agent types and the bad guys are mostly Spanish, but put up hardly any fight and turn out to be Amigos in the end.
Some of the main characters aren't acted the best either. Middle of the road stuff.
-Special Effects- This movie went somewhere the original didn't in terms of how they have captured the chases. This is the only good part of the film (obviously, because thats the only thing that differs it from other Hollywood films). The chases are stunning. Very well directed i thought. Great coverage of the chases so you don't go looking around thinking "how'd they get there" or "where'd they come from?". There is a style about them which didn't exist in the first film, and what makes this better than the original. This is in terms of completely off the wall shots which are only achieved through CGI. There are many shots which are like the cameraman walking around the cars looking at each driver. It gives a great sense of space and unrestrictedness - all the hallmarks of a well crafted and planned set piece.
The driving is spectacular and the cars even more so. The film does have a lot of credibility (until the end with the boat and if you watch it you'll know what i mean) because the cars seen are actually real cars that do exist and people do drive. With the helicopter camera following the action for a lot of the way, it lets the action unfold with longer takes and depicts awesome choreography.
-Soundtrack- I didn't notice this at all. Just a basic bassy tune, but nothing to get a soundtrack cd for.
-Pacing- Unfortunately, after the first race, you have to sit through a lot of rubbish (something supposed to resemble plot). I switched off around this point as i knew basically what would happen. You just have to sit around and wait for the next set piece. Throughout, there are quite a few set pieces, and towards the end of the film the pace increases loads, helping you forget the badness of the plot.
IN CONCLUSION:
Its a Hollywood mainstream film so what do you expect? Overall it is poor and you don't come out of the cinema thinking much of it, but the special effects and chases are awesome. The set pieces are really well directed and excite you when they turn up. In between it falls short by a long way so interest yourself with the floor.
I would have to say go see it because of what it contains, and the quality of the action. However, i wouldn't spend any more money on it than that. (i.e buying the DVD)
p.s If you don't like things to do with cars, then there's absolutely nothing here for you.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Action/Adventure - Director: Peter Jackson - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
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Jun 21st, 2003
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