FF4 entertains despite a weak plot

FF4 entertains despite a weak plot

by Alicia CarloStaff Writer

If you are interested in seeing “The Fast & The Furious,” chances are that you were not looking to see a tear jerking drama, or witty banter. You probably aren’t even looking for great acting. Nope, you are looking for fast cars and lots of action. Perhaps a few of you are looking for Paul Walker and Vin Diesel.

The newest edition of “The Fast & The Furious” definitely delivers in action. After seeing the first two films of the franchise, I was excited to see the original cast in this new film.

Although the film did not prove much for plot, it definitely was still very entertaining and the theater was packed at the Saturday night showing.

When the film first starts, Dom Toretto (Diesel) is seen with a gang of drivers, including Letty (Michelle Rodriquez), stealing fuel tanks on an abandoned stretch of a Dominican Republic highway. This first scene was intense and completely provides a show.

Dom, on the run from the law, leaves Letty behind, only to learn from his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) that Letty is murdered. Dom figures out Letty’s death is linked to a Mexican drug cartel, the same criminals that recently reinstated FBI agent Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker), is trying to infiltrate. The only way to get into the cartel is to win a street race.

After a hard drive through Koreatown, Dom wins and gets a spot into the cartel. Brian uses his FBI connections to get himself in the cartel.

Although the plot was not incredibly hard to follow or very deep, the movie was still very interesting. There were lots of great cars and many great chases that included those cars.

Although Diesel’s career has been a slow one since the first “The Fast and The Furious,” he quietly commands the movie. Even with his sleepy gaze and huge biceps, he obviously captures most of the attention. His career may be on the rise again.

The true stars of the movie were most definitely the cars. And although I know almost nothing about cars other than my own, I do have an appreciation for the type of cars that were used in “The Fast & The Furious.” I know almost any guy would agree that going to a movie like this is like a fantasy. Anyone who goes wants to imagine themselves in the place of the actors.

It doesn’t take someone with Diesel’s muscles to shoot a gun. It doesn’t take Walker’s boy-man stubble to work a stick shift. Most of us will never in our lifetimes throw someone out a window, then get up and chase them down the street, knocking innocent people out of the way.

However, there’s something exciting and attractive about that kind of power, and if we have to live vicariously through a movie like “The Fast & The Furious,” so be it. But at the end of the day, we’ll go back in our cars and shuffle on home. It’s probably safest that way.