Review of The Fast and the Furious (2001) by Stefan G — 02 Jun 2015

Even after watching this, I fail to understand why there needs to be so many films like this one. I understand that a lot of people like seeing cars blazing across the screen, and that's fine, but if you want a film with actual substance as opposed to glossily hyperbolic machismo, then you won't find it here.

I will admit that this film competently delivers on the high-octane action, but it's a very hollow façade. Meanwhile, the writing in this film is lazy, rusty, and pretty much terrible in every possible way, resorting every possible plot and character cliché imaginable.

Another problem I have with the film is that every character, regardless of gender, acts like they're constantly testy and a clear lack of self-restraint. Is that supposed to be macho? If so, then I'd rather not have chest hair.

Through all the bad acting, the film constantly blasts a Molotov cocktail of rap music, angry "nu-metal" music, and electronic dance music. This frothy combination of populist music only dampens the atmosphere further, making it even less watchable.

I just know right from the beginning that this is a simple film for simple people with simple tastes. In other words, it's a populist popcorn flick, devoid of artistic integrity or value, and this is only the first in an ungodly franchise that continued way past its shelf life.

If this first film sets the standard for the other films, then I don't have any faith in the Fast and Furious sequels to speak of. After all, if you've seen one of them, you may as well have seen them all.