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Of all the $100-million-plus grossing movies of the summer of 2001, "The Fast and the Furious" surprised industry watchers the most. Lacking in buzz, hype, and a recognizable cast, the movie gunned its way to a $40 mil first weekend and a final gross of $145 mil. The film outgrossed expected heavyweights such as Steven Spielberg´s "A.I.," and it also helped Universal rule the summer. "The Mummy Returns," "The Fast and the Furious," "Jurassic Park III," and "American Pie 2" gave the studio an incredible run at the box office.
Yes, Universal´s other summer offerings were all sequels, but "The Fast and the Furious" is no original. It rips off its components from scores of other movies, including its much-used title. Plot elements come from Kathryn Bigelow´s "Point Break," and director Rob Cohen has never been known for a distinctive directorial style. Somehow, though, the film works.
In "The Fast and the Furious," Brian Spilner (Paul Walker, "She´s All That") joins Dom Toretto´s (Vin Diesel, "Saving Private Ryan") drag racing gang. He presents himself as a guy who just wants to drag, but he´s really an undercover cop out to bust whatever gang that´s been using Honda Civics to jack audio/video equipment from container trucks. Brian gets involved with Mia, Dom´s sister, so his brain gets a little clouded from his emotional attachments to the crew.
Along the way, Brian encounters the various factions of L.A. youths who soup up tiny little import cars and blast nitrous oxide (NOS) into their engines. There´s a particularly dangerous Asian gang led by Johnny Tran (Rick Yune, "Snow Falling on Cedars"). The Asians ride around town on their motorcycles while mowing down their rivals with machine guns.
The script is as simple as it gets, and the production work (stunts, cameras, editing) feels slick, technically proficient but lacking a little in the way of heart. Yet, we get to see two good actors bond onscreen, and their characters´ relationship provides the human interest missing in movies such as "Gone in 60 Seconds" or "Tomb Raider" (coincidentally, both starring Angelina Jolie, an actress whose charms and so-called acting talent totally elude me). Paul Walker, the best thing in a couple of teeny-bopper movies like "She´s All That" and "Varsity Blues," has usually played second fiddle to guys like Freddie Prinze, Jr. or James Van Der Beek. Yet, he´s been quietly biding his time, and I think that he could be the first of his crop of actors to gain superstardom. Vin Diesel, as distinctive-looking as a fellow can get, has great physical presence and a big-brother attitude that is both comforting and menacing at the same time. Walker and Diesel share a chemistry that is more palpable than the connections they make with the actresses who play their girlfriends, and their camaraderie carries the movie.
Oh, yeah, how about the car races and chases themselves? They´re pretty good, actually, and I especially like a bravura move that one of the drivers makes, swerving a Civic under a container truck. That´s ballsy, man.
(Note: During one scene, the guys are seen watching a rented video. The name of the movie? "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story," also directed by Rob Cohen.)
Video:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image looks as gorgeous as the fine cars on display. Appearing smooth, solid, and even a little polished, the transfer shows off California´s sunny landscape and sexy nights with nary a sign of film grain, dust, or physical damage to the print. Once in a while, you might detect a slight shimmering when there shouldn´t be any, but it´s a small complaint.
Audio:
You want some "vroom vroom," baby? Well, the Dolby Digital 5.1 English and DTS 5.1 English tracks have "vrooms" in spades...and then some! Deep bass response is almost continuous, and the music-heavy soundtrack refuses to let the rear speakers catch their breath. There´s a scene in a restaurant where you hear the characters speak on the right side of the soundstage (the front right channel) while the camera pans around the enclosed space. Gradually, the camera turns around to settle on the actors, and the sound moves naturally along with the camera. This is mighty impressive stuff, folks. I would´ve liked the sound design to sound a bit more "natural"--meaning, I wish that some far-off ambient noises had been included in the mix. Still, a "nine" is as close to a "ten" as one can get, right?
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[release]9056[/release]