The original four are back in 'Fast & Furious,' the fourth film of this franchise. As always, the cars are what keep audiences keep coming back for more adrenaline. And while it's good to see Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez, there isn't much of a story and even less action to keep you entertained. Nevertheless, if you check your brain at the door and just want flare, you'll get it -- somewhat. Since he left the franchise after the first film, presumably over salary disputes, Diesel has had to watch Walker and others (Tyrese, Lucas Black, Bow Wow) take the spotlight, while the cars got better and the action went from the streets of L .A. to Tokyo. In a sign that he was willing to come back for more, Diesel made a brief cameo in 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.'
This film actually picks up shortly before 'Toyko Drift' occurs, and Diesel's character, Dominic Toretto, is still on the run from the law. When he hears that his former girlfriend, Letty (Rodriguez), has been killed by a drug dealer, he comes back home seeking answers and looking for vengeance. That's where Brian O'Conner (Walker) comes in. Assuming Toretto would be back, Brian sets up a situation so that the two meet again. After all, it was Brian who let him escape the first time.
While working with Toretto to solve Letty's murder, Brian catches up with his ex and Dominic's sister, Mia (Brewster). After some years apart, there still exist some feelings between the two. Meanwhile, Dom and Brian work out some differences while trying to find the killers and keep Dom from the law again.
The story is thin, and everyone is one-dimensional. It's the cars and the race scenes that bring in the crowds, and unfortunately there wasn't enough to sustain a level of interest. With the exception of one cool ride driven through an underground tunnel, none of the cars are as glamorous as those in the previous films. Walker had better chemistry with Tyrese in the second film than he does with Diesel in this one. Brewster is completely reduced to looking depressed with no lines of substance, and Rodriguez's time on screen is short-lived.
After a breakout role in Spike Lee's 'Miracle at St. Anna,' it's a shame to see Laz Alonso reduced to playing some secondary villainous role.
This franchise was fueled by the cars alone, and the producers could have brought in some splashy vehicles. Instead, they wanted to market the reunion of the actors. Stick to the cars and let them do the selling. That's what works.
April 2009
