2 FAST 2 FURIOUS
A Universal Pictures Release

review by Joseph B. Mauceri

SYNOPSIS: Brian O'Connor (WALKER) is a disgraced cop. His former boss and FBI agree that the undercover officer threw one of their largest cases ever on the streets of Los Angeles. O'Connor's decision allowed him to keep his honor, but cost him his badge. Now he is hiding out in Miami and street racing to make some fast cash, but not for long. The law quickly catches up with him and the Feds offer him a chance to clear his record if he agrees to aid them in their sting operation of a powerful Miami drug lord, Carter Verone (HAUSER). O'Connor decides to go along with their offer, but not without help. He recruits his childhood friend and ex-con, Roman Pearce (TYRESE), and the Feds offer Pearce a chance at a fresh start. Ex-cop and ex-con, with the help of undercover agent Monica Fuentes (MENDES), take to the mean streets of Miami, behind the wheel of a couple of an extremely sweet and fast cars, going for the ride of their lives in the sequel to the 2001 box office hit "The Fast and the Furious." 

REVIEW: I'm not going out on a limb by saying 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS is better than the original. There simply wasn't much of a story to Rob Cohen's film. It was all about the cars, the races, and the special effects. Oh, and it was all about the film's star, Vin Diesel.

This timeout critically acclaimed director John Singleton is steering. Singleton is a proven storyteller with films like "Boys N the Hood" and "Higher Learning." In 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS he bends the special effects and race sequences to the service of the drama, and it's a far superior film for it. Also screenwriter on his previous motion pictures, the success of Singleton's films comes from his understand of characters and his ability to place them in emotionally compelling relationships. He takes Michael Brandt and Derek Haas' script and centers the film on the relationship between O'Connor and Pearce. It's a bit thin, yet Singleton mines it for everything he can. There are a couple of other thin relationships, and subplots, that could have been distracting, but Singleton uses them to support the film's central theme.

Singleton relies on three actors to carry the film. Walker and Tyrese have great chemistry and charisma, which is a prerequisite for any buddy picture to succeed. Next you need a believable and truly evil villain. Cole Hauser fits the bill. Hauser worked with Singleton on "Higher Learning" and starred opposite Vin Diesel in "Pitch Black." He not only has the hustle and muscle required of a great screen villain, he has that vital cold piercing stair down perfect. However, I'm still not sure how convincing the Columbian drug Lord side to his character is. 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS features a cast with diverse backgrounds. Singleton takes his talent seriously and gets solid performances from all of the actors. It elevates the film above, what could have easily have been in another director's hands, a cheesy "B" movie.

Yes, 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS does have the obligatory chases, crashes and stunts. The driving sequences are intense because they are enhance with computer generate effects that are as stunning as the original. What additionally makes this a better film is that Singleton knows when and where to let the technology augment his race sequences and bases them on physical effects wherever possible. Instead of simply feeling like you are watching another computer game sequence it feels more like you're on a nail-biting thrill ride.

2 FAST 2 FURIOUS is not going to win any Academy Award nominations. In fact, it might not win you any points taking a date to see it, unless she knows her way around cars. Like the cars featured in the film, Singleton's film is simply the celluloid equivalent of a muscle car. Fortunately, it happens to be one of the better models on the showroom floor.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
http://www.thefastandthefurious.com/

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