FAST AND FURIOUS

ENGLISH - (18PL) - 02 April 2009 - Drama/Action
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Running time: about 107 mins.
Director: Justin Lin
Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Ricardo Del Rio
Writers: Chris Morgan (screenplay); Gary Scott Thompson
Casts: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso
Plot: Vin Diesel and Paul Walker re-team for the ultimate chapter of the successful franchise built on fast cars and furious drivers. When crime brings them back to Los Angeles, fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Connor (Walker). However they are forced to confront a common enemy, so Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanoeuvre him. The two men go back to doing what they do best - push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! What is fast enough to make things go out furiously? With an unfamiliar face of Justin Lin, a young Taiwanese director with little directorial background whom last directed the third installment, Tokyo Drift, one can expect a different swing of mood in the story. Besides that, the fourth installment will go back deep into the original roots, with four original characters will be introduced into it. Do remember this; this fourth movie will serves as a sequel to the original and prequel to the Tokyo Drift.

Set 5 years after the first movie, new information coming in as Brian O'Connell (Paul Walker) finally get the name of the person that he believes will be a key for bringing down the Braga operation, a drug cartel that transports drug from Mexico to US. Meanwhile, while on exile, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) found out that his girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) was murdered by one of the man in the Braga ring. Revenge for the same organization brings Brian and Dom back together to take down the organization despite their past dark history.

The story is interesting enough to be portrayed. It contains the theme of loyalty and friendship which dominates the screen time. However, I found that the story is not as interesting as the third installment Tokyo Drift due to the differetn setting and originality. Nevertheless, the pace of the story is convincing enough for me and at least it has a flowable story that despites come from two different routes but ended up in a single route. There are no unrealistic crossovers and any silly dialogues. Just as expected, the story is pretty much predictable, good twist on guessing on who Braga is and much reliable. However, there are some potholes around and despite the good flow, it still lack in consistency.

With car racing and pretty women around, what do you hope for more. Although no more street racing, money laundering and car drifting, we still can see some high speed chasing for gold and fame. Take the opening scene for example, Vin Diesel and team try to hijack a liquid gold - petroleum in Dominican Republic. It was a breathtaking and nail-biting scene that we have seen in trailer yet still enjoyable to watch in bigger screen. Then, comes Paul Walker chasing a criminal over the roof top - resembling Bourne and Point Break?

Then comes dirty racing into the tunnels of the US - Mexican border. It was pretty daunting and amazing to see those cars going through the tight corners inside the tunnel in which appeared twice in the movie. You also get an audition racing which is pretty close to call before some swiping and skidding in the end. Well, no more original street racing but welcome crimes in fast motion.

It is amazing feeling to see both main characters coming back into this film. Vin Diesel is a huge draw and adding in Paul Walker, it became even huge. Both played the role well which not only pumping adrenaline, but some dramatic sidelines about friendship. Jordana Brewster serves as a candy to the eye. The same goes to the Israeli-born Gal Gadot whom played Gisele, a liaison to Dom and Brian in taking down the Braga's empire. Although Michelle Rodriguez as Letty been short in screen time, her role provides some impact to the story.

The movie is pretty much about racing, but the stunt choreography is excellent. The movie should best be enjoyed for what it is and not be compared to the earlier films, and I can tell you that this is ain't the end. A reportedly fifth installment will be made and the attention is now shifted to Europe.

THE RATINGS.....
CAST - 3.5 stars
STORY - 3.5 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.0 stars
EFFECTS - 4.0 stars
an overall>> 3.5 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 14.6