Film review: Fast and Furious

Tagline

New Model. Original Parts.

plot

After a stint pulling his usual high octane heists with his crew in the Dominican Republic, Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto finds himself drawn back to LA, where he aims to take revenge on the mysterious South American heroin dealer Arturo Braga. When he infiltrates Braga’s line of drug smuggling drivers, he finds a familiar face attempting the same thing - Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker), who’s now working for the FBI.

Acting

Let’s be honest - if you’ve paid to see this movie you’re in the theatre for one reason: the car porn. In that respect it delivers in spades. From classic muscle cars to modified imports, the mechanical eye candy is displayed spectacularly. As pure entertainment, this does what it needs to as an action film. The stunts and effects, aided by quick cut edits and almost constant action sequences, are enough to keep your attention throughout. There are very little lulls in the runtime - which is essential, as when there are it serves to draw attention to the movie’s major flaw - the plot is so flimsy a small gust of wind could obliterate it.

The acting is about what someone who’s stuck it out to the fourth instalment of the franchise should expect; tolerable at best. Paul Walker could probably be replaced with a cardboard cut out to little detriment, and for all his charisma Vin Diesel isn’t much of a performer. Still, he’s a likable big lug, and he’s got the presence needed to carry off the starring role. The two leads do have good chemistry, which is why this movie works better than the second and third in the series.

Verdict: In short, prepare to give your suspension of disbelief a good workout, check your brain at the door, and you’ll enjoy this movie for what it is: a brainless, yet entertaining popcorn flick.

Amanda [guest reviewer]