Director: Rob Cohen
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Michelle Rodrigeuz
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made movies which are as special as Vin Diesel. Following his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Diesel has made memorable movies. Whether it’s talking tree creatures, furious drivers or corrupt gangsters, Diesel has played many strong characters. Arguably, Diesel’s finest strength as an actor has always been his powerful screen presence. He has always proven to be one of those rare actors with a powerful screen presence elevating every movie. Through his abilities to portray bold characters that are easy to relate to, Diesel has become an actor that audiences value. Although he is best known for his iconic role in the Fast and Furious franchise, Diesel has proven he can make engaging movies with every genre. Throughout his fantastic career, Diesel has produced many memorable films that are certainly worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of the actor and admire all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Fast and the Furious” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2001, Rob Cohen’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best action movies ever mads. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Vin Diesel, who embodies a furious race car driver enduring tension. Ultimately, what makes “The Fast and the Furious” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about race car drivers, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork that would definitely resonate with everyone. An engaging classic about race car drivers, there are countless strong reasons why “The Fast and the Furious” is a film worth watching.
“The Fast and the Furious” tells the story of furious drivers engaging in car races which prove dangerous. Vin Diesel plays Dominic Toretto, a skilled car driver with an aptitude engaging in intense races. Dominic is a bold race car driver that has always had passion engaging in tense racing. However, Dominic’s life forever changes when he comes under the suspicion of an undercover police officer. Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) is an ambitious police officer that aims to infiltrate Dominic’s gang of race car drivers causing disaster. As Dominic forms a friendship with O’Connor, he is forced to question his allegiance to his race car team facing disaster. Facing a dilemma, Dominic is soon wondering whether it’s possible to be a successful car driver that achieves success in America.
Rob Cohen is a newcomer towards stories of race car drivers. Before he had directed “The Fast and the Furious”, Cohen had never made a race car movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the tensions endured by race car drivers enduring adversity but he pulled it off successfully. Through spellbinding cinematography, Cohen captures race drivers facing tragedy. Cohen expertly uses handheld camerawork capturing tensions that race car drivers are facing. For instance, the handheld camerawork elevates the first race car scene. During this unforgettable scene, Brian has his first ever race car competition which causes adversity. Through handheld camera, Cohen captives race car drivers which face a serious dilemma. Handheld camerawork is a complex technique to use in most mainstream films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” did demonstrate clearly, shaky cam elevates WWII films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Cohen captures tensions professional race drivers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Fast and the Furious” that merits appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Cohen expertly uses practical effects to stage race car sequences that are compelling. Cohen’s decisions to use real cars in the race sequences is risky but it pays off tremendously. For instance, the real cars elevate the final race scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dominic engages in an intense race with competitors which prove to be frightening. Using practical effects, Cohen creates race car drivers that are compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. BT’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden race car drivers bear. Using powerful production-design, Cohen captures race car drivers that strive to cross the finish line.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Fast and the Furious” is a race car film that’s compelling. The film is very well written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture the bonds between race car drivers with experience. Throughout the film, Cohen uses silence to capture the tensions between race car drivers. For instance, silence elevates the cop revelation scene. During this intense scene, Dominic is shocked to discover Brian is a cop there has been hiding his true identity. Through strong sequences of silence, Cohen creates race drivers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” suggested clearly, silence elevates celebrated comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay. cohen captures race car drivers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Vin Diesel delivers one of his greatest career performances as Dominic Toretto. Diesel first achieved appreciation for portraying heroes in action films. With “The Fast and the Furious”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a furious race driver that faced adversity but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a race car driver facing tension. Diesel has always excelled at playing heroes in positions of power, and “The Fast and the Furious” was a showcase him as an actor. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Vin Diesel, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of praise. Paul Walker is wonderful, capturing the heroic nature of a race car driver seeking success in competitions placing him in pressure. Jordana Brewster is brilliant, bringing charisma to a woman that engages in doomed love affairs with race car drivers which cause a dilemma. Lastly, Michelle Rodriguez deserves appreciation. As a hot-headed female race car driver, she brings heartfelt emotion toward the movie.
Finally, “The Fast and the Furious” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing race car drivers that are furious. Unlike most commemorated films about race cars, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, determination and competition that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be highly familiar with race cars to appreciate it. It gives a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Fast and the Furious” is one of those rare commemorated race car movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Vin Diesel will definitely enjoy “The Fast and the Furious” and so will audiences seeking enjoyable entertainment. A riveting race car classic, it honours an actor which is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking action furious race car drivers engaging in competitions which are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has always made adventurous decisions in his career playing complex characters in unforgettable movies which audiences consider precious.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 