About me:I still read, rate and comment but rarely write on here.
Member since:26.04.2001
Reviews:115
Members who trust:53
Review rated by 30 Ciao members on average: very helpful
I have very mixed feelings towards this film and I came out of the cinema not really knowing whether I loved or hated the film. I suppose I loved the Fast and the Furious because it was action packed, unpredictable and kept me in permanent suspense. Though I hated it because there wasn't any basic storyline or plot. And I've never seen a film that has no basic storyline or plot so did I genuinely hate the film or was I just simply scared of something different to a typical film?
What the Fast and the Furious really has going in its favour is that it is total non-stop action, at 1hr 40 it doesn't feel stretched or too long and director Rob Cohen seems to excel in keeping the viewers attention throughout the film.
Unfortunately though the Fast and the Furious has plenty not going in its favour. Firstly nothing actually happens in the film and nothing is really achieved by the end of it. Well nothing particularly significant. A good film should have a beginning, a middle and an end. The Fast and the Furious seems to have a beginning and a middle, the so-called ending is disappointing and inconclusive.
I said earlier the Fast and the Furious had no basic plot. Well I lied. The Fast and the Furious has a very sketchy, rough plot. You will know exactly what I mean if you've seen the film or when you see it. The Fast and the Furious is basically about youth gangs who race powerful tuned up sports cars along public roads. The Fast and the Furious exaggerates this into gang war and even attempts to escalate it into a Romeo and Juliet scenario about lovers from rival gangs. This is all made a bit more exciting by a detective going undercover in typical Hollywood style.
The cast of the Fast and the Furious is average and the acting is nothing particularly special so don't go expecting Oscar worthy performances. Though with the excellent special effects and non-stop action-packed sequences your mind will be taken off the bland performances of the majority of the cast. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker aside from that last comment though, they're performances are in no way bland and are quite pleasing. Just a shame the rest of the cast couldn't have matched their efforts.
Overall this isn't a terrible film and it does have a fair bit going for it. The scenes of tuned up cars bombing it around Los Angeles are impressive and will keep all viewers on the edge of their seat and the sketchy plot manages to leave you in suspense. The idea is highly original, despite the comparisons to Gone in 60 Seconds. If the characters had a bit more personality and the plot was a little more solid this could have been a great award winning film.
The soundtrack is pretty good, consisting mainly of metal, rock, dance and classical. Big variety! I wouldn't buy it on CD but it goes well with the film and is well-suited.
Now I've finished writing this I know that I neither loved nor hated it. Hence the 3 star rating.
I agree about the sketchy plot although the action makes up for it along with the cars. I thought it was a great film despite this and the ending was a bit odd I agree, it did seem as though nothing had been achieved! Oh btw the Kartex gokarting in Oxford is in a different place I think, as this is in the Speedway/greyhound stadium. Never been to Kartex yet. Pete
I really wanna go and see this but none of the lads will come with me - they all reckon it's gonna be shit. Excellent op Jim. And BTW, haven't had any luck with Mooster yet, maybe I should drag her off to the pictures to watch this, what d'yer reckon?
![Action Classics: The Bloody Brood/The Fast and the Furious/Mutiny in the Big House/Swamp Women [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/icons/no_pic_generic_S1.gif){kind=icon}
![The Fast And The Furious [HD DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78158583.jpg)
by (13%):
08.12.2001 21:00
I agree about the sketchy plot although the action makes up for it along with the cars. I thought it was a great film despite this and the ending was a bit odd I agree, it did seem as though nothing had been achieved! Oh btw the Kartex gokarting in Oxford is in a different place I think, as this is in the Speedway/greyhound stadium. Never been to Kartex yet. Pete
12.10.2001 00:13
Good Opinion, I know what you mean by the sketchy plot. but all in all I thought the film was good. - Paula
10.10.2001 22:56
I really wanna go and see this but none of the lads will come with me - they all reckon it's gonna be shit. Excellent op Jim. And BTW, haven't had any luck with Mooster yet, maybe I should drag her off to the pictures to watch this, what d'yer reckon?