When making a typical blokes film there are some simple ways to succeed. Cars and women are a good starting point, so the Fast and the Furious wins there. This however is a good film, as well as action and fast cars it is a very enjoyable watch.
The film follows a plot that is neither complicated or outstanding, but gives a good excuse for some racing and shoot outs. Brian O’Connor is an undercover policeman who’s mission is to end a spate of truck robberies of electrical equipment. The suspects are part of LA’s street car racing ring, so he goes undercover to get his catch. Through driving ability and a job in a auto shop he gets in with one gang and a perfect position to find out who is pulling the jobs. Basically it is a good an excuse as any to have some races, explosions and crashes that all get out of hand with some killings in the end when the police move in on the wrong people, love interests and another robbery.
Not a hugely complicated plot to
follow, or anything much to it but it still comes out with some good twists along the way. The action is excellent, some of the races look impressive at speed and there are some good crashes. The street racing ring provides the supped up cars and it is a nice spectacle as well as looking good on screen. At the end there are more spectacular effects with an armed chase, outrunning a train to the crossing and more racing. Simple but effective. There is action from the very start of the film to the very end. Not complicated, just sit back and watch the action. And that is exactly what I did, and more to the point I enjoyed it.
The Fast and the Furious comes with a small and less well known cast. Paul Walker plays Brian O’Connor as the cop. He does a good enough job, but Vin Diesel does a good job as well, playing Dominic Toretto the leader of the gang. He has charisma and his tone or look alone is enough to make people do what he desires. Both are up and coming actors who will not have done themselves any harm with this and turned in impressive performances. Toretto’s sister Mia is the love interest for Brian and other members of the street gang include a bright kid with an attention disorder that Dominic keeps an eye out for, and others. The cars the star as they would say though, a young and unknown cast does well but for many the car and the speed will be the reason they turned out.
There are no real problems with this film. Some may criticise a weak plot and a poor script, but few can complain about the action. The races are just in a straight line with effectively the more money you put under the hood of the car the more likely you are to win. After over 100 minutes there is a limit to the amount of straight line drag races to see. There is more to the film that than, with action doing more than relying on fast cars. It is not unbelievable or futuristic, and not too technical although this was hit on. You will not fall asleep during this film. Essentially it is an action film and should be brought by people that want to see that sort of thing. Judging from box office takings and the release of videos and DVD quite a lot of people do like this.
The DVD comes with the usual added features and the clear screen to back up all the action. As many action films do it has a series on the stunts and how they were done, and some deleted scenes, which are normally good. There are some links in with the music throughout the film and various commentaries and documentaries. There is lots to explore with the DVD, and I would say worth getting. They supplement the film well and have both quality and quantity. Speaking of the soundtrack, the film has a whole series of music played at high volume. They go well with the tone and speed of the movie, though not to everyone’s taste. It is also a bit stop start with splices cut and changing from one to another, but generally blends well and adds to the action.
Comparisons with ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ were always going to happen. This film was a surprising success with a lower budget and no big names in the cast. Gone in 60 Seconds has Nic Cage and Jolie and both follow the loud noise and big action of fast cars. The Fast and the Furious is in my opinion the better of the two, people who feel Gone in 60 Seconds was a big of a let down should find something in here.
Put together some fast cars, a few girls, some crashes and crime and you have a decent action movie. The Fast and the Furious lives up to that and the result is a good film. Very watch able with no complex plot to follow and an action packed film. Good to see and I would recommend this for an action movie.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Action/Adventure - Director: Gore Verbinski - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Chow Yun-Fat
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
I bet this film has a lot of 'car noises' especially when they put their feet on the throttle! Excellent review. Might come on TV.
Avril
Lovin_Angel 02.07.2002 18:54
Great opinion! I have been meaning to watch this film as my sister has it on DVD and she loves it! I'll make a point of watching it soon Love kayla xx
LostWitness 02.07.2002 18:25
I wasn't so keen on this. I like action movies, but this was just a tad silly and all those cars looked ridiculous. I think I must have missed something! :O)
Advantages: Back to the cruising scene with great cars, great sound systems and great girls. Action packed Disadvantages: It's not as good as Fast and Furious, poor acting, unrealistic story
Advantages: Plenty of action, nice effects, Vin Diesel, no need to think too hard. Disadvantages: Not really any, unless you're expecting something that it's not.
![The Fast and the Furious [DVD] [1954] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/75101444.jpg "The Fast and the Furious [DVD] [1954] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
![The Fast And The Furious [HD DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78158583.jpg "The Fast And The Furious [HD DVD] [2001]")
![3 Classic Racing Films of the Silver Screen: The Wild Ride (1960) / The Fast and the Furious (1954) / The Big Wheel (1949) [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78499914.jpg "3 Classic Racing Films of the Silver Screen: The Wild Ride (1960) / The Fast and the Furious (1954) / The Big Wheel (1949) [DVD]")
very helpful by (100%):
![The Fast and the Furious [DVD] [1954] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/81497500.jpg)
