By now I’m sure everybody knows the fifth film in The Fast & the Furious franchise opens tonight. These films always generate an interesting reaction in the automotive world. It is painfully obvious these films will never win any awards, and the new episode in this saga grows a bit more irrelevant.
The last entry found the heroes racing through underground mining tunnels between country borders. The plots have come a long way from an undercover cop trying crack the case of a hijacking ring by joining the illegal street racing scene. Even more confusing is trying to figure out how Jon Singleton’s 2 Fast 2 Furious fits into the overall continuity of these films. Maybe, just maybe, this film will wrap everything up in a neat little package and explain where in the time line “Tokyo Drift” actually happens. As it stands now, it would have to take place after this latest film. That is, unless Han somehow faked his death when his RX7 bit it in the slowest possible way to outrun the villains.
With all this being said, you can rest assured I will be there opening night. Why is that? Well, I believe in some weird way it’s a guilty pleasure of most car enthusiasts. You see, I know better… but I can’t help going. In fact, I own each installment on DVD. Does that make me a bad person? Maybe.
Ten years ago, the first story set off the import car scene, and gave it a huge boost. And today when most enthusiasts discuss the film, they spend their time debunking misconceptions created by the franchise. So in the end, why do we do it? Because it’s about the cars and mindless action; I don’t need to tell you that. Also, lots of legitimate talent from the industry put a lot of time and effort into these films. In fact, director Justin Lin is responsible for one the greatest episodes of Community ever, called “Modern Warfare.”
Allow me to reiterate, there are no truly great car films however there are car films that have great moments. It is the spectacle that draws us in, and that is one thing that these films have in common with the automotive world.
Let’s all hope this film delivers what it promises.
definatly second to the first!