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The Fast and the Furious

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
Director: Rob Cohen
Genre: Action
Year: 2001
Rating: 2 / 5

When The Fast and the Furious generated $40 million over its opening weekend, studious scrambled to understand its success. After all, most analysts predicted that the Rob Cohen film would finish south of $20 million. Could it be Vin Diesel's burgeoning fame? How about heartthrob Paul Walker? A meaty role for rapper Ja Rule? Odds are, these factors all played a part in this film's success, but it can ultimately be stated as one simple notion: sex appeal. Young, attractive individuals move in and out of the film, while fast, glamorous cars roar down deserted streets. The Fast and the Furious is about a certain lifestyle, and, despite a plot that is sometimes laughable, director Cohen makes it seem rather enticing.

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is the big thing in the world of street car racing. He knows all the tricks to get his car to perform at the highest level, and he is a legend in his neighborhood. The parts he uses are big sellers across town, and he is revered everywhere he goes. He has the begrudging respect of the rival gangs in town, even if tensions always seem ready to explode. Fellow driver Leti (Michelle Rodriguez) is as fiery as Dominic, constantly battling with men who resent a woman's presence in their world. At the same time, Mia (Jordana Brewster), Dominic's soft-spoken sister, tries valiantly to keep her brother and his friends grounded.

Into this world steps Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker), an amateur driver looking to make some inroads with Dominic's crew. Brian's interest in the racing world is more than that of a would-be racer - a group of drivers is engaging in high-speed heists, forcing Brian, an undercover cop, to find out who is behind it. Could it be Johnny Tran's Asian gang, noted rivals of Dominic's own group? Maybe the Hispanic contingent is behind the thefts? Or is the answer right in front of Brian - is Dominic himself the criminal mastermind? As Brian closes in on the truth, things heat up with Mia, and Brian begins to wonder what he must do in order to crack this career-making case.

The Fast and the Furious is about selling a lifestyle, and Rob Cohen starts selling from the opening gun. Racing champions are showered with money, women, and, most importantly, respect. Vin Diesel (Pitch Black) has just enough of a foreboding aura to inhabit the role of Dominic Toretto, even if his character seems fairly one-dimensional. Paul Walker provides a capable foil for Diesel as a man with conflicting needs and desires. Alas, their dialogue is moderate at best, and a few scenes - including a police bust and Walker's "I'm not who you think I am" speech - could really use some work. The Fast and the Furious is thrilling entertainment, but as quality cinema goes, this ride is a little short of gas.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for violence and language.
Running Time: 105 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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