Fast and Furious (12A.)
Directed by Justin Lin.
Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriquez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz. 107 mins.
You are nothing these days without a reboot, a re-imagining or total overhaul. So it is that the fourth instalment of street racing series The Fast and The Furious has chosen to re-energise in a wholly original way – it has re-grammaticized itself. Away with tired old definite articles, it’s turning boring old nouns into hip young adjectives.
What this actually means though is nothing more than they have got the band back together. The four leads from the original have been reunited for what is simply another sequel. The return of the two couples from the first movie is a big deal on the posters but it’s only the lads that the film is actually interested in – Diesel as the speedster hijacker Toretto and Walker as the undercover cop who once infiltrated his gang. Some years on they reunite to take down a Mexican druglord.
Hollywood has always been fond of making stars out of non thespian muscle-bound lugs. Dim Weasel though started out as an actor (true, a muscle-bound actor but actor nonetheless) and never quite seems at ease with his on screen persona. Also it must drive him crazy to spend so much time working out and still have a double chin.
Walker though knows and understands his job – to be a first rate second rate copy of Steve McQueen in Bullitt. He may resemble a life sized version of England footballer littlejoecole, but he’s the dictionary definition of chiselled machismo and all you could ask of a budget film star.
The film itself is brainless, macho action but initially rather good brainless, macho action. Justin Lin helmed the little loved Tokyo Drift entry but early on here he delivers some nice, crisp and genuinely exciting action sequences, and gives his LA locations a zest that makes you think of a meathead, B-movie remake of Heat.
But it runs out of zip and energy about halfway through. The action sequences suddenly start to plod and way too much energy is expended on the plot. It is as if suddenly everybody began to feel their age and their despair at still being stuck doing Fast and Furious movies.
F&F5
F&F 6
F&F 7
Fast and Furious (12A.)
Directed by Justin Lin.
Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriquez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz. 107 mins.
You are nothing these days without a reboot, a re-imagining or total overhaul. So it is that the fourth instalment of street racing series The Fast and The Furious has chosen to re-energise in a wholly original way – it has re-grammaticized itself. Away with tired old definite articles, it’s turning boring old nouns into hip young adjectives.
What this actually means though is nothing more than they have got the band back together. The four leads from the original have been reunited for what is simply another sequel. The return of the two couples from the first movie is a big deal on the posters but it’s only the lads that the film is actually interested in – Diesel as the speedster hijacker Toretto and Walker as the undercover cop who once infiltrated his gang. Some years on they reunite to take down a Mexican druglord.
Hollywood has always been fond of making stars out of non thespian muscle-bound lugs. Dim Weasel though started out as an actor (true, a muscle-bound actor but actor nonetheless) and never quite seems at ease with his on screen persona. Also it must drive him crazy to spend so much time working out and still have a double chin.
Walker though knows and understands his job – to be a first rate second rate copy of Steve McQueen in Bullitt. He may resemble a life sized version of England footballer littlejoecole, but he’s the dictionary definition of chiselled machismo and all you could ask of a budget film star.
The film itself is brainless, macho action but initially rather good brainless, macho action. Justin Lin helmed the little loved Tokyo Drift entry but early on here he delivers some nice, crisp and genuinely exciting action sequences, and gives his LA locations a zest that makes you think of a meathead, B-movie remake of Heat.
But it runs out of zip and energy about halfway through. The action sequences suddenly start to plod and way too much energy is expended on the plot. It is as if suddenly everybody began to feel their age and their despair at still being stuck doing Fast and Furious movies.
F&F5
F&F 6
F&F 7
