The Fast & The Furious (2001)

Action | Crime | Sport

Los Angeles police officer Brian O’Connor must decide where his loyalties really lie when he becomes enamoured with the street racing world he has been sent undercover to destroy.

MG – “I live my life a quarter mile at a time… For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.

It’s the 15 year Anniversary, can you believe it?! Oh man, it only seems like yesterday, those famous racer words were burnt into our memories, speaking of course about that incredible adrenaline rush of speeding down a quarter mile drag strip. And cinemas are gearing up for a re-run of where it all began.

Although the sequels just became more outrageous, ridiculous and gravity defying from the previous, we still loved watching the thrill ride. But nothing compares to this realistic adrenaline rush. Mixing imports with classic muscle is awesome. Any car modder knows (including me) that once you have ‘the bug‘ modifying your vehicle, you just want to keep pushing your car to be more creative and unique. Like a canvas on wheels if you will.

Director Rob Cohen did a great job in grabbing that in-the-moment car action feel and feeding the die-hard car enthusiasts and alike. Seeing the young and original crew in the beginning again is great. Undercover cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) pushing the pedal to the metal in all his glory. It’s such a shame he’s pass away. And bad-ass underground racer prodigy Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and the great unique character crew under his guise; Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Jesse (Chad Lindberg), Leon (Johnny Strong), Vince (Matt Schulze) make the racer family complete. And we can’t forget the rivals and friendly cameos of the street scene, with Asian crew leader Johnny Tran (Rick Yune), Latino crew Hector (Noel Gugliemi), and Ja Rule as the soundtrack cameo rapper Edwin.

Role all these characters, cars, and nicely chosen scenes and energetic music of the period together, threaded with catchy quotes, and adrenaline pumping visual effects, and we have a very entertainingly fast and furious film. Additions like thecamera following the Nitrous fuel through the engine system all in CG form, is much welcomed eye candy, giving a quick visual to those who don’t know the car scene so well.

This film is a stand alone gem out of the 8 that were made. The most original, realistic, and fun. 2 Fast was an absolute shamozzle. 3 picked up the pace again with the real crew. And despite the feedback, Tokyo Drift should get more credit, and a well deserved sequel continuation.

And by God, Toretto’s black, supercharged 1970 Charger is a mechanical piece of art! Watch it again, you’ll love it.”

MG 9.5/10

Dom: I live my life a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters: not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bulls**t. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.

Edwin: Monicaaa!

Hector: They call me Hector. Gotta last name too, but I can’t pronounce it.

Brian: NOS! I need NOS!