WRITER'S NOTE: The following was originally posted on my Instagram page @be.kerian on May 25th, 2021.
It's interesting to look back at the origins of a film franchise. In the case of The Fast and the Furious, most people may forget that the original movie from 2001 (has it really been that long?) was a gritty street-racing crime drama. The film is dated by today's standards, although it no doubt made stars out of Vin Diesel (as Dominic Torreto), Paul Walker (as officer Brian O'Conner), Jordana Brewster (as Dom's sister, Mia), and Michelle Rodriguez (as tough-as-nails Letty), to name a few.
Its trademark melodramatic dialogue, fast cars (that climactic highway sequence is a standout), and objectified sexuality would carry over into three mediocre sequels. 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious did feature scene-stealing roles from Eva Mendes (as a Miami officer) and music artists Tyrese Gibson (as the fast-talking Roman) and Ludacris (as the tech-savvy Tej). 2006's Tokyo Drift had impressive, practical drift racing. And 2009's Fast & Furious marked Gal Gadot's big screen debut (as racer Giselle).
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| (L-r) Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in The Fast and the Furious (2001, Universal Pictures) |
It wasn't until 2011 when a fifth movie (titled, Fast Five) took the series in the direction we know today. Released just as Marvel was establishing their now-iconic cinematic universe, the Fast saga became its own thing with its aforementioned insane action, larger-than-life narrative threads featuring characters from different installments, and almost mythological undertones. Five had a good balance of all these elements, not to mention practical stunts and effects, as well as consistent themes of family and freedom. (To be sure, these movies aren't for everybody.)
2013's Fast & Furious 6 seemed like an excuse to bring the same team back together, and most importantly Rodriguez as Letty (who did have a signature brawl with MMA pro Gina Gerano). Since then, the series went full-throttle with over-the-top, physics-defying mayhem. 2015's Furious 7 ended up being a poignant chapter, considering the unexpected death of Walker, who was given a fitting and respectful send-off in this genuine, roller-coaster blockbuster. This is arguably where the series should have concluded, whereas 2017's The Fate of the Furious and the 2019 spinoff Hobbs & Shaw seemed unnecessary, squeezing dry all the tension from the 6th and 7th movies for the sake of subversive humor. (Charlize Theron, on the other hand, did make a great villain in Fate.)
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| (L-r) Paul Walker and Vin Deisel in Fast Five (2011, Universal Pictures) |
With 2021's F9, I think enough time had passed where it became exciting to see the old gang again, along with John Cena (as the film's new baddie) and some more crazy action. And the resulting chapter is, like many its predecessors, definitely a cinematic experience, especially in IMAX. But it also may be a middling one. While its character emphases and arcs are noteworthy and surprising, its convoluted plotholes may leave many (especially those not caught up with this two-decades-and-counting franchise) feeling dazed and somewhat disappointed. With reportedly two more films to go (starting with this summer's Fast X), it's anyone's guess as to whether this series stays in the same lanes or truly takes some unexpected routes.
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