Fast & Furious was the first one in this series that I went to go see at the theatres. It probably also marked the time when I actually watched those previous 3 for the first time in a mini marathon to prepare for this. I’ve always liked racing car games because of Gran Turismo so this appealed to me, its just my family was never into these sorts of movies before my boyfriend came into my life in 2008.
After the mega disappointment of the third one, excuse me when I was a little worried about how the 4th one would go. I’m more of half cup full type of person, so I went to this with hopes that it would at least measure up to the first one. Did it meet my expectations? How about on this rewatch?
Let’s check it out! 🙂
Fast & Furious (2009)
Director: Justin Lin
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Gal Gadot, Sung Kang, Don Omar, Tego Caldaron
After their last heist, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) leaves everyone by himself because the heat was a little too much and he worried about causing dangers to his loved ones. Thats until, he gets a call from Mia (Jordana Brewster) that Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) was murdered. Without another thought, he comes back to find out who killed her and to avenge her death. This is when reinstated FBI, Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) crosses his path again both learning that a drug trafficking lord, Braga is behind all this and they both try to get into their crew with their own end goals.
If you ever want to reboot a series, this is exactly how you do it: Make it into an adrenaline pumping, high energy action film with the original cast doing what they do best. There’s familiarity, fun, excitement and intensity all wrapped into one fantastic film. I mean, fantastic in terms of the Fast and the Furious franchise, of course. The love for this franchise is in its own category and it all starts with this one as Justin Lin, much to my surprise takes the series into a whole different style but with the original cast, it brings back exactly what was needed to make this film crazy. It was crazy ridiculous. Just the opening scene was enough to know exactly what tone this movie was aiming for. And I like it. I like it a whole lot!
I’ve said it in the previous reviews for this franchise and I say it again. Vin Diesel is the cornerstone of what makes this franchise good. He’s just a monumental man that honestly brings in his own style. Sure, he doesn’t have a whole lot to say and its all emoted in his face and reactions, the one-liners here and there but somehow it works for him. This time around, Brian O’Conner’s character gets a lot more depth because he has to deal with who he wants to be and to be honest with himself. There is no doubt that Dom is a character that we love and respect. I have to admit, this was the movie where I really started loving the character of Brian O’Conner because he seems perfectly happy even if it meant breaking out of the good guy path because maybe he was just a pretending to be the good guy (paraphrasing a line in the movie said by Jordana Brewster’s Mia).
Fast & Furious also brings in a new lady here, Gisele (who we see in later movies in the franchise). She’s not a bad character. Although she does ride with Braga’s crew. Still, she adds a little balance to the spectrum because she isn’t a bad character and there’s space for her to develop. Its pretty fun because she really is attracted to Dom and it adds a little chemistry there. I mean, Fast and Furious franchise probably has the best bromance chemistry ever but love isn’t all that abundant, not that its a fault. It works to keep the situation simple and just enjoy the crazy action sequences.
Overall, Fast & Furious is our first step into suspending our disbelief in this franchise. Things didn’t always make sense in the last three but this one is where you know that its going over the top and just high adrenaline fun. Turn your brain off and enjoy the story. It adds a little drama with Letty being gone and the reuniting of Mia and Dom then Mia and Brian and of course, the bromance between Brian and Dom. There’s flashy cars and great races. Its a little vengeful and some new characters. The villain, Braga is alright because he’s pretty much a mystery throughout the whole flick. There’s a lot that I love about this one and it has to do with how it made me start falling in love with this franchise and Paul Walker’s Brian. Not my fave but definitely somewhere on the top.
Have you seen Fast & Furious? What do you think about it? How would you rank it in the franchise?
Remember to check out the previous reviews if you haven’t and drop by again for Fast Five coming really soon (probably later today)!
Director: Justin Lin
Tranquil Dreams 