|
|
| For
the discerning viewer this film offers a window of understanding into
our time and current culture. I suggest that you watch the film and
the audience, as a unified whole. Films like this can should not be
viewed in any other way. To miss the audience is to miss the film. |
(2003) Film Review by David Bruce |
| This
page was created on June 12, 2003
This page was last updated on
May 21, 2005
—Review
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum
Dial up modems will take a few moments |
| CREDITS |
|  Directed
by John Singleton
Writers
Screenplay by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas
Story and Characters by Gary Scott Thompson
Producers
Michael Fottrell ... executive producer
David Marder ... supervising producer
Lee R. Mayes ... executive producer
Neal H. Moritz ... producer
 Paul
Walker ... Brian O'Conner
Tyrese ... Roman Pearce
Eva Mendes ... Monica Clemente
Cole Hauser ... Carter Verone
Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges¹ ... Tej
Thom Barry ... Agent Bilkins
James Remar ... Agent Markham
Devon Aoki ... Suki
Amaury Nolasco ... Orange Julius
Michael Ealy ... Slap Jack
Jin¹ ... Jimmy
Edward Finlay ... Agent Dunn
Mark Boone Junior ... Detective Whitworth
Matt Gallini ... Enrique
Roberto 'Sanz' Sanchez ... Roberto
Eric Etebari ... Darden
Johnny Cenatiempo¹ ... Dane Korpi
Troy Brown ... Paul Hackett
Corey Eubanks¹ ... Max Campisi
Sam Maloof ... Joe Osborne
Troy Robinson ... Feliz Vispone
Jose Perez ... Jose
Original
Music by David Arnold, Kaseem Dean (songs), Ludacris (song "Act
A Fool")
Non-Original Music by Ja Rule (title theme from "The Fast and
the Furious")
Cinematographers by Matthew F. Leonetti
Editors Bruce Cannon and Dallas Puett
Rated PG-13, for street racing, violence, language
and some sensuality
RUNTIME 1 hour, 40 minutes
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM,
and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG
|
| TRAILERS
AND CLIPS |
| —Trailers,
Photos |
| POSTER |
|
2 Fast 2 Furious
27 in x 40 in
Double-sided poster, plain or
Framed | Mounted |
|
|
| AVAILABILITY
ON VIDEO AND DVD |
CHECK
AVAILABILITY AND PRICING OF THIS MOVIE ON VIDEO OR DVD.
Just type in movie title and click go.
Also,
check out 100
Hot Videos
and the
100 Hot DVDs
|
|
| SYNOPSIS
|
 It
begins with a jolt. A sudden jerk to the body, which constricts with
the most primal reaction to what it senses as coming disaster. The
rest of the senses quickly follow suit, springing to attention and
kicking into overdrive.
The
floodgates of the adrenal glands are thrown open and the precious
stuff, the body's version of super-concentrated lightening, pours
into the circulatory system. The breathing begins to intensify,
sending oxygen in ever increasing amounts into the bloodstream.
Capillaries dilate, widening to allow for the Sig-Alert of now hyper-charged
blood cells operating in panic mode. Eyes widen, muscles tense and
a godlike sensation begins to take over as surroundings melt into
a frenzied, passing blur.
"I
am outrunning everything. I am in control. The world is mine."
The
brain fights back, screaming out an S.O.S. "This is wrong,
this is danger..!"
Yet
it feels so good...
It's
a meal for the starved, a panacea for the restless, a sure-fire
fix for anyone with a predilection for living on the edge. Intoxicating
and habit-forming, it leaves burnt-out drivers in its wake, haunted
men and women trapped in a life lived in slow motion ... hurting
for more and clamoring for the next ride.
SPEED.
It's
easy to get. And it's as close as the nearest set of high-performance
wheels...
Brian
O'Connor (PAUL WALKER), now a disgraced cop, fell victim to it ...
and he's now paying the price.
As
far as his former bosses and FBI brass are concerned, the hothead
undercover officer threw one of their largest investigations ever.
His loyalties tested while infiltrating the fly-by-night, high-speed
world of Los Angeles import street racing, O'Connor blew his own
cover and let the ringleader of a big-rig hijacking operation walk
- more precisely, motor off in his own custom performance racer.
O'Connor's decision allowed him to keep his honor, but lost him
his badge and any chance of redemption in the process.
Now,
it's a different city, a different time and one last chance for
O'Connor.
Seems
the Feds in Miami have had one helluva time collaring Carter Verone
(COLE HAUSER), a flashy businessman using his import/export business
as cover for an international money laundering cartel. Customs have
had Verone under intense surveillance for more than a year with
nothing more to show for it than the kingpin's link to illegal street
racing. Their backs against the wall and time running out, officials
put out a call for O'Connor to do what he does best - talk the talk
and push the metal.
But
the rule-breaking loner has his own demands before taking on the
job that may restore him his badge. Unhappy with the list of sorry
possibilities presented as potential partners, he insists on recruiting
his childhood friend and now ex-con Roman Pearce (TYRESE), an accomplished
criminal with an aptitude for barrier-shattering speed. The Feds
on the case, headed by Agent Markham (JAMES REMAR), offer Pearce
a deal - work with O'Connor and his impressive rap sheet will disappear.
Now,
it's a last chance for both, ex-con and ex-cop and their ticket
out of disgrace is bringing down Verone. But lines become blurred
once again for O'Connor with the appearance of undercover agent
Monica Fuentes (EVA MENDES), the key to entering Verone's world
who may herself be in bed with the shady entrepreneur.
The
new models are in. This time, on the hot streets of Miami - guns,
murderers, crooked police, sweet wheels. And one fugitive ex-cop
with a very bad habit and with very little to lose.
This
summer, cross the line ... one more time.
|
REVIEW
By David Bruce
Web Master, HollywoodJesus.com |
Fast
and Furious was the surprise hit in 2001. Reviewers did not understand
it and people in the industry were surprised. No one, it seems,
saw it coming.
And
now, 2 years later, here is the sequel. But, this time it is no
surprise. Everyone excepted the this film to do well. In fact,
it did over $50 million on the opening weekend. That's good!
The
critics, however, still gave it the thumbs down. Rene Rodriguez
of the Miami Herald is typical, "Too much of 2 Fast 2 Furious
plays like a colorful but inert timekiller that you might tolerate
while dozing off in front of the TV, but only because you are
too sleepy to reach for the remote control." She speaks for
herself, however, not others. Believe me, the audience is not
dozing.
When
I went to see this film, the house was filled with the twenty-something
and the parking lot was filled with modified cars. There wasn't
anyone over the age of 40 to be found. There was delight in the
audience during the showing. This film spoke their language. It
connected.
Question:
Why are the critics so down on a series that has made such incredible
inroads into a prominent part of the culture? First, I would like
to say that the film is not a cinematic masterpiece by any stretch
of the imagination -so in this regard, poor reviews are understandable.
However, when a film connects so well with an aspect of the culture,
one needs to look beyond a viewing room impression. The
question needs to be: Why has this film series connected
so well to the culture?
I
believe this film is about empowerment, and the struggle to be
heard. Here is a segment of the 20-something crowd that is alive
and well seeking its own voice through extreme sports and social
activity. And, is attempting to achieve lasting relationships
in a unique and paradoxical manner: community through individual
achievement It is a quest for community in an age of brokenness.
The
film regards the enemy of this form of community as greed
-extreme selfishness as personified by the Carter Verone,
an evil member of the drug cartel. His sins include:
—Placing money before friendship.
—"Owning" woman as possessions.
—Using violence to limit the freedoms and rights of others.
—Intimidating those who get in the way of his selfish desires.
—Reducing life to mere materialism.
In
its own way, the film advocates:
—Peace between humans.
—Relationships based on mutuality and respect.
—Harmony and understanding between different types of humans.
—The importance of community and group effort.
—The celebration of individuality, uniqueness, and personal
achievement.
It's
weaknesses include:
—An uncertainty about the place of women.
—"Might is right" philosophy.
—Physical beauty and braun = importance, and worthwhile
goals.
Bottom
line: For the discerning viewer this film offers a window
of understanding into our time and current culture. I suggest
that you watch the film and the audience, as a unified whole.
Films like this can should not be viewed in any other way. To
miss the audience is to miss the film.
|
|
| |
| COMMENT
ON THIS FILM |
| BULLETIN
BOARD (Rules)
Post
your thoughts in the forum
View or post comments -click
here.
Your
Private Comments.
I will not post these comments.
What are your personal thoughts? I also welcome your spiritual
concerns and prayer needs. I will correspond with you, usually
within two weeks.
Click here |
OFFICIAL
SITE
Publicity information and images © 2003
Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
No other uses are permitted without the prior
written consent of owner. Use of the material in violation of
the foregoing may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Credits
and dates are subject to change. For more information, please
visit their official site.
Hollywood
Jesus News Letter
Receive the Hollywood Jesus Newsletter FREE.
Sign up here
|
| | |
|
|
