Some shows and movies should have ended years ago, but for one reason or another, they haven’t. Let’s look at the Fast and Furious series as a prime example. There are 6, yes 6, in this “thrilling” series about racing souped-up cars, while fighting off the cops, bad guys and other hooligans.
The first one was rather good, as it was the first in the series. It was something new, something exciting and something just plain cool. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel starred in this 2001 blockbuster about undercover cop Brian O’Conner, played by Walker, who becomes part of the “underground” racing network involving Dominic Torretto, played by Diesel. The LAPD first become suspicious of Dominic when trucks carrying electronics start getting robbed. O’Conner gets caught up balancing, well trying to balance his work and this new life he’s a part of, even more so trying to no let his new infatuation Mia, Dominic’s younger sister, get to him. Things get sticky and fast and a little furious.
2 Fast 2 Furious was the sequel to the first hit, released in 2003. This one starred Walker and Tyrese Gibson, as well as Eva Mendes. Not as much racing as the first, but O’Conner, who is now an ex-cop and Roman Pearce, played by Tyrese are offered a clean record in return for helping Monica Fuentes, played by Mendes, take down Verone who launders dirty merchandise and money in and out of Miami. There are a few laughs and some tense moments along the way, but not a bad sequel.
The third one, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, released in 2006, is where things go bad for the series. Neither Walker nor Diesel are in this movie which in my opinion totally takes away from the thoughts, feelings and energy one may have after the first two. Tokyo Drift is about a teenager, Sean Boswell who moves to Tokyo after getting in trouble in the US for drifting and street racing; he then finds the underworld of Tokyo Drifting, which is much more serious than anything in the US could be. Wasn’t a fan of this one.
The fourth one brought back Diesel and Walker for a taste of what the third one couldn’t offer as Fast & Furious in 2009. Brian and Dominic aren’t the best of friends, but both are after the same man for different reasons. More stealing, racing, violence and feuds encapsulate this movie, this time trying to capture a drug lord and killer of Dominic’s former girlfriend, Letty.
Fast Five, released in 2011 kept both Walker and Diesel as the stars. By this point there is a bit too much going on. Too many wrecks, too much violence and I’m just tired of all the “Hollywoodness” of the series. Don’t get me wrong, I love Diesel and Walker, but this last one was a bit too corny, cheesy, whatever for my taste.
They are good movies, minus the third, but it’s time for them to be done. Let’s hope Fast & Furious 6, being released later this year, ends it on a good note.
What series are you completely over? Any movies you wish they would make a sequel to? What are your thoughts on the Fast and Furious series? Let me know in the comments below!
