‘Fast & Furious 2009′
LADIES & GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO WACKY WAYNE’S MOVIE REVIEWS! featuring the Mad Critic
Ratings Scale: 1=find a new career, 2=not too shabby, 3=chic flic, and 4=pretty damn special
Fast & Furious (Starring Vin Diesel & Paul Walker); Reviewed by Wayne “Mad Critic” Hodges. Ever raced your car at a speed of over 250 mph? Do you gain pleasure from hijacking fuel tankers on the highways of the Dominican Republic? Are you a street-racing legend? If so, hold on tight because the most recent “Fast & Furious” film figures to take you for a long ride. The plot, though overused, isn’t too shabby. Fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), after years of captivity in the Mexican desert, reignites his feud with FBI agent Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) after his petroleum stealin’ girlfriend (Letty) is murdered. Why? I have absolutely no idea.
Remember, it was O’Connor who allowed Toretto to escape in the original film; and this is the thanks he gets? In hindsight, O’Connor should’ve taken the ungrateful sucker back to prison where he can serve mashed potatoes and make license plates. I hear there’s plenty of room at the Leavenworth Penitentiary. Nevertheless, after discovering they share a common drug-dealing enemy in Los Angeles, O’Connor and Toretto are once again forced to trust each other to help bring the loser down.
Speaking of narcotics, the “let’s hunt down the big drug dealing boss” theme has gotten a little old. We’ve seen this story before in such films as “Bad Boys, New Jack City, and Scarface.” The plot’s overused. It’s lazy. And, to be frank, it’s just flat boring. When will the producers give us a new villain to hate? How about an arsonist? Or an extortionist? Or, better yet, a corrupt president or politician. Anything but the same frickin’ drug dealer theme.
OK, I’ve ranted enough. Back to the review. Because so much attention was given to FBI casework, the film got away from the excitement of high speed street races, beautiful women, and exotic cars; which is certainly very disappointing. Especially when taking into account the movie’s title. After all, this is the “Fast & Furious” not “New York Undercover.”
I also found it comical that every FBI agent and police department in the country wanted Toretto behind bars. Yet, they failed to raid the one place he could possibly be. Home. Umm…that might be a nice place to begin a search, ya think? That being said, the stunts are actually pretty decent. But, they only appear at the beginning and end of the film. Everything in between is nothing more than a bunch of coffee, donuts, and police work.
I can’t lie to ya. This movie is not great by any stretch of the imagination. However, it’s not bad either. I did find it disturbing that the directors stole the plot from the second film in the series (2 Fast 2 Furious), gave it a sloppy makeover, then shoved it to the box office. Maybe they thought the viewers wouldn’t notice? Well, we did.
Alright, let’s sum this baby up. Given its generic storyline, in addition to a shortage of stunts, designer racing cars, and babes; the film’s probably more suited for a $1.00 rental. But, what the hell? If you’re a Vin Diesel fan; you may want to cough up $4.99 at your local Blockbuster anyway. Score: 2
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the editor of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also an adjunct professor, MPA at Kansas University, and legislative intern with the Kansas Senate. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
For an exciting preview of “Fast & Furious,” click the play arrow.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Man you trippin this movie is a classic. It’s not as good as the first film of the series but its still pretty good. The movie starts off with some of the best motor stunts I have ever seen. And the babes are hot. I have already seen the movie three times and I plan to go back again.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Its good to see Vin Diesel back in the Fast & Furious. I thought the previous films sucked without him. Although I must admit I enjoyed Tokyo Drift.
June 6th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I just saw the film. I still think the original Fast & Furious was the best in the series. But overall not too bad. Could’ve been a little better.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:26 am
What’s up Hodge? Only a 2 for this motor-racin’ classic? You must be off your rocker. This flic has it all: cars, babes, shootouts, etc. This is the best in the series, bar-none. You guys are nuts!