Throwback Thursday Review: 'Fast & Furious'

Sorry for the delayed review but I decided to instead just knock two birds out with one stone and continue my series of Fast & Furious reviews by releasing my thoughts on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Fast & Furious. Films I hope to see and review in 2017 that I didn't get around to in 2016 include Collateral Beauty and Passengers.

'Fast & Furious' Review

Fast & Furious is the fourth entry into the Fast & Furious franchise refocusing on the core cast from
The Fast and the Furious as Brian O'Connor, now with the FBI, must reteam with Dominic Toretto to bring down a drug lord. While Fast & Furious doesn't exactly revolutionize the franchise, it does begin the transition to more watchable entertainment.

Justin Lin returns to direct and the step-up in production value is evident as the stunts are crazier, the acting's slightly improved, and the cinematography is competent. Not that this will surprise anyone but there's little substance or story in Fast & Furious. It's all about the number of fast cars and attractive women they can stuff into one production.

I'm convinced this about the time that the Fast & Furious franchise found it's niche: ridiculous stunts involving cars. It's not till the subsequent entry that they find an adequate balance between that and a suitable story. The action is much more exhilarating than previous installments as the cars are faster and I guess the characters are more furious?

Chris Morgan's screenplay builds some generic character arcs but these are much better than those found in the last three entries. Morgan also throws in some nice twists and turns that show some characters at their most vulnerable and just managed to better dress ongoing events.

The performances are improved for sure as Vin Diesel gets to showcase some range, Paul Walker has some charisma to him now, and Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez make the most of what they're given. Gal Gadot makes her debut to the franchise, making a convincing hench-woman of sorts, and John Ortiz is an evil drug lord and does what he can to make an impression.

Again, Fast & Furious offers up everything you expect from the franchise but everything's slightly more refined than usual.

Film Assessment: C-