Grossing $41.6 million, "The Fast and the Furious" settled in as the No. 1 movie of last weekend. How? Why? Who knows, perhaps trick advertising convinced consumers that the movie is worthwhile.
The only likely reason for its spot at the top must be that today's audiences are more interested in getting pounded with hectic, pointless action instead of any of the other good qualities movies could also contain.
Action, action and more action are the principal ingredients of this overly energetic film starring a cast of near-unknowns with minimal acting capabilities. "The Fast and the Furious" is centered on street racing in the Los Angeles area and how it may be linked to some recent criminal activities. Truck drivers carrying valuable cargo begin to have their shipments literally yanked out from under their noses.
The police soon find it necessary to become involved before these revenge-minded truckers begin to take matters into their own hands. Somehow, into this awkward plot is woven an unconvincing love story and an utterly unlikely friendship.
If you like cars - no, if you are an absolute car fanatic - you will thoroughly enjoy this production. If not, you might still be able to appreciate the film's virtual army of street racers with flashy spoilers and tacky colors, and their constant, gratuitous speed-o-licious battles.
The movie clearly attempts to copycat the "Gone in 60 Seconds" type of gangster-hot-rod intrigue. The difference is that "Fast and Furious" seemingly ran out of finances for real actors in their budget after buying all of the street racers that the world had to offer.
Again, if you intend to find any hidden gem of acting quality in this movie, you might fare better searching elsewhere - anywhere else but here. Those in charge of choosing such a bland cast must have restricted their search area to bad soap operas and American martial arts flicks.
