Official theatrical teaser for Hollywood film Fast & Furious, the fourth instalment of The Fast and the Furious franchise. In cinema next summer (update: it’s moved up to April instead.)
Directed by Justin Lin, the film will see the return of the original cast from the first movie, i.e. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster. It also stars John Ortiz and Laz Alonso etc.
I’m a fan of the first movie in 2001. It’s a crime action film with focus on street racing. The story is just OK but the action stuff seems authentic and sleek. I guess it appeals to a lot of the male audience.
The two “sequels” are disappointing though, the racing scenes are fine – probably better in some cases – but the plots are weak. I know the first film isn’t famous for its storytelling either but at least it has proper flow and character development. The next two are just craps in that sense.
Besides, Walker is the only main lead from the original cast to star in the second movie; while the third doesn’t feature anyone from the first at all, at least not those in leading roles (Diesel’s cameo in the end shouldn’t count.) The lack of continuity hurts the chance for the film franchise to grow further.
Hence, the return of the main leads signals a change of ambition. The two sequels didn’t do well in critics’ point of view but still performed amicably in box office, the producers definitely see the potential to make this into a huge media franchise. And as an old fan I wish the new film a success.
Updates & verdict
Didn’t watch this in cinema, caught it much later on TV just before the release of Fast Five in 2011. It’s usual Fast and Furious stuff, lots of action and average plot. I think they gave up on making a good script altogether and focused on the speed and thrills instead.
The return of the original cast did brighten things up. There’s so much chemistry between Diesel and Walker, and Brewster’s character is growing too. Rodriguez has a small but important role which shapes up the rest of the movie. Their return also creates a sense of continuity which paths ways for future instalments.
And good job in getting Ortiz and Alonso to play the villains because they are awesome. It shows that casting matters and good acting helps a lot in action movies too. Hope it’s lesson learned.
