Anyone that knows me knows of my fascination with Vin Diesel
and cars. This makes the Fast & Furious franchise a winning combination for me. I’ve been hooked since seeing the first installment in 2001. Ron and I enjoyed it so much we saw the first
one twice in theaters the same weekend! And
we’ve made it a point to see each installment on opening weekend – seeing many
of them on the first showing at our local theaters. Yes, this means that we’ve even been to a
midnight showing. Lucky for us the
theaters are now showing the early screenings a little bit earlier. And I can't even count the number of times I've watched the films at home. One of my favorite rituals is to re-watch all of the previous films immediately before the new release. I never get tired of watching them.
On opening night Ron and I (with several friends) saw Furious 7 in
IMAX at Pier Park Grand on Panama City Beach. It was a great
night spent with some great friends watching an awesome movie. While we see a lot of movies (typically one
every weekend) we don’t usually go with other people. This outing was special though. We were with friends that we’ve made through
the car scene. Like-minded people! We don't typically see films in IMAX either...the few we have haven't really lived up to being worthy of the extra bucks you have to pay. This one is an exception though. It was fantastic in IMAX!!
I know there are a few people that haven't seen the films (but for the life of me I don't know why not...LOL). For those few people (and anyone that just wants a refresher), here’s a short recap of the previous movies (courtesy of their IMDB descriptions).... (you can skip down past this section if you are already as familiar with them as I am).
***Spoilers Ahead...Only on previous films / NO spoilers about Furious 7***
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $207.3 million
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster........
Directed by Rob Cohen
This was the first installment of the franchise and was inspired by an article entitled Racer X written by Kenneth Li in May 1998. Read it here: Racer X
Los Angeles police officer Brian O'Connor must decide where his loyalties really lie when he becomes enamored with the street racing world he has been sent undercover to destroy.
IMDB page: IMDB - The Fast and the Furious
Trailer: Official Trailer
There is also a 1955 film by the same name but there is no connection between the two. You can watch the 1955 film here: The Fast and the Furious 1955 film
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $236.4 million
Stars: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser...
Directed by John Singleton
Brian O'Conner and childhood friend Roman Pearce are re-united by the FBI to bring down a Miami drug exporter in exchange for clear records.
IMDB page: IMDB - 2 Fast 2 Furious
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $158.5 million
Stars: Lucas Black, Zachery Ty Bryan, Shad Moss...
Directed by Justin Lin
A teenager becomes a major competitor in the world of drift racing after moving in with his father in Tokyo to avoid a jail sentence in America.
IMDB page: IMDB - Tokyo Drift
Trailer: Official Trailer
This film was the third film released but had little to do with the first two. When the franchise picked up speed again it became obvious that they would get back to this storyline...which they did in Furious 7. This is why I suggest watching it after Fast & Furious 6.
Fast & Furious (2009)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $363.2 million
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster...
Directed by Justin Lin
Brian O'Conner, now working for the FBI in LA, teams up with Dominic Toretto to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation.
IMDB page: IMDB - Fast & Furious
Trailer: Official Trailer
Vin diesel and Paul Walker together again - enough said.
Fast Five ( 2011)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $626.1 million
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson...
Directed by Justin Lin
Dominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.
IMDB page: IMDB - Fast Five
Trailer: Official Trailer
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office: $788.7 million
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson...
Directed by Justin Lin
Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries: Dominic unexpectedly gets convoluted also facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.
IMDB page: IMDB - Fast & Furious 6
**********Total Worldwide Box Office so far: $2,380.1 billion!!!!**********
Which brings us to the current film:
Furious 7 (2015)
Rated PG-13 / Worldwide Box Office - TBD (but massive I'm sure)
Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson
IMDB page: IMDB - Furious 7
Trailer: Official Trailer
IMDB page: IMDB - Furious 7
Trailer: Official Trailer
If you're like me you can't get enough of the scenes from these movies or the extras. You can find MANY videos from the entire franchise on their YouTube page here: Fast & Furious YouTube Channel. And if you want even more information check out this page: Fast and Furious wikia
In my opinion this just might be the best action film franchise ever. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you. The films appeal to a global audience with their racially diverse cast. The storytelling is complex and thought provoking while at the same time offering up soap opera worthy twists. There are elaborate stunts, car chases, car racing, and action packed fight sequences. When watching the films you will experience humor and joy and escapism. Don't get me wrong....there are definitely things in these films that are unrealistic...but isn't that one of the reasons that we go to the movies?
These films show the value of friendship. The friendship with the entire group is awesome...but the friendship between Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) is spectacular. It's even obvious in 2 Fast 2 Furious and Vin isn't even in that one.
The films have romance...and does it right. The films are action films and if the romance was done wrong it would come off as campy. But these films have all shown just the right amount of romance to keep you rooting for the characters' love story. I would venture to say that romance is exactly why Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) returned to the series after being killed off. Dom and Letty are the perfect couple because they aren't perfect.
I do love Vin and have seen almost everything he has been in. I haven't seen The Iron Giant (which he voiced) but I have seen everything else. I'm pretty sure I've seen almost everything Paul Walker has been in also. And I do love cars! There is certainly not a shortage of awesome cars to gawk at in these films (and cry over when they are wrecked). I should note that while I love the racing in these films I do not support street racing. I can only hope that the people that see these films keep in mind that the stuff you see on screen is choreographed. Please do not try this stuff!!! And obviously I don't support all the criminal acts committed in these films. But anyone that thinks that's all these films are about should look a little harder for the real story. The real story in all of these films is FAMILY, not just your family by blood, but your family by choice! This group has bonded together and are a family. They are loyal to each other to a fault. They stand by each other and support each other. They defend each other. They love each other. The cast did a great interview on the Today show where they talk about that family dynamic - on screen and off.. Watch it here: Today Show Cast Interview
Furious 7, is an action packed thrill ride. With an already great cast there are additional characters introduced, including Jason Statham as a villain no less! Finally, the Tokyo Drift story line has been successfully woven into the franchise. You get exactly what you expect in this film and so much more. I was so excited for the next installment, but at the same time extremely sad. With the loss of Paul Walker last year the franchise was on shaky ground. A member of the family was now gone - and his death happened while the film was still in production. While the circumstances had nothing to do with the film the fact that he was killed in a car crash really hit home. It was unknown for a while if they would even finish the film....but thankfully they did. My understanding is that about 85% of the movie had been shot when Paul died. His brothers stepped in and finished for him (with the assistance of CGI magic). I'm not going to put any spoilers here on how this situation is handled in the movie - you really need to see it for yourself. But I will say that it is some of the best moments I have seen on film. I don't know if there will be more installments in the franchise (but I think, and hope, there will be). I don't know how they will move forward without Paul (but I think they can). But I do know one thing for sure....this film was finished for him.
I'm sure I will watch all of the films many more times and will continue to love them. I'm also sure that I will forever see them a little differently....
Remember the buster...
For Paul....
In my opinion this just might be the best action film franchise ever. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you. The films appeal to a global audience with their racially diverse cast. The storytelling is complex and thought provoking while at the same time offering up soap opera worthy twists. There are elaborate stunts, car chases, car racing, and action packed fight sequences. When watching the films you will experience humor and joy and escapism. Don't get me wrong....there are definitely things in these films that are unrealistic...but isn't that one of the reasons that we go to the movies?
These films show the value of friendship. The friendship with the entire group is awesome...but the friendship between Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) is spectacular. It's even obvious in 2 Fast 2 Furious and Vin isn't even in that one.
The films have romance...and does it right. The films are action films and if the romance was done wrong it would come off as campy. But these films have all shown just the right amount of romance to keep you rooting for the characters' love story. I would venture to say that romance is exactly why Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) returned to the series after being killed off. Dom and Letty are the perfect couple because they aren't perfect.
I do love Vin and have seen almost everything he has been in. I haven't seen The Iron Giant (which he voiced) but I have seen everything else. I'm pretty sure I've seen almost everything Paul Walker has been in also. And I do love cars! There is certainly not a shortage of awesome cars to gawk at in these films (and cry over when they are wrecked). I should note that while I love the racing in these films I do not support street racing. I can only hope that the people that see these films keep in mind that the stuff you see on screen is choreographed. Please do not try this stuff!!! And obviously I don't support all the criminal acts committed in these films. But anyone that thinks that's all these films are about should look a little harder for the real story. The real story in all of these films is FAMILY, not just your family by blood, but your family by choice! This group has bonded together and are a family. They are loyal to each other to a fault. They stand by each other and support each other. They defend each other. They love each other. The cast did a great interview on the Today show where they talk about that family dynamic - on screen and off.. Watch it here: Today Show Cast Interview
Furious 7, is an action packed thrill ride. With an already great cast there are additional characters introduced, including Jason Statham as a villain no less! Finally, the Tokyo Drift story line has been successfully woven into the franchise. You get exactly what you expect in this film and so much more. I was so excited for the next installment, but at the same time extremely sad. With the loss of Paul Walker last year the franchise was on shaky ground. A member of the family was now gone - and his death happened while the film was still in production. While the circumstances had nothing to do with the film the fact that he was killed in a car crash really hit home. It was unknown for a while if they would even finish the film....but thankfully they did. My understanding is that about 85% of the movie had been shot when Paul died. His brothers stepped in and finished for him (with the assistance of CGI magic). I'm not going to put any spoilers here on how this situation is handled in the movie - you really need to see it for yourself. But I will say that it is some of the best moments I have seen on film. I don't know if there will be more installments in the franchise (but I think, and hope, there will be). I don't know how they will move forward without Paul (but I think they can). But I do know one thing for sure....this film was finished for him.
I'm sure I will watch all of the films many more times and will continue to love them. I'm also sure that I will forever see them a little differently....
Remember the buster...
For Paul....
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