The Fast and Furious franchise consistently encompasses a very specific aesthetic and vibe, which results in the films mainly targeting and entertaining the viewers who grew fond of the series (even if it was only for "the family", the cars, and the action) and decided to stick around.
The Fast and Furious is a surprisingly intriguing franchise. When asked what the best film of the series is, I believe the majority would vouch for Furious 7 or Fast 5. How is that possible? Is it because the series started out as "just okay" and by the time Fast 5 came out, it had finetuned everything into a solid action movie?
The answer is no. The first three entries in this series are mostly character-driven (yes, pun intended) expositions. It's not about the racing per se (except for Tokyo Drift, perhaps), it's about the characters. In other reviews, the comparison with a soap opera emerges, which is actually quite an apt description of the series allure. The characters have entertaining, albeit cheesy, chemistry, and it is even more satisfying to see this in the context of the many adventures that they have, alone or together. That is why 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift are still fun to watch, even though not all the characters are there.
The first film introduces the characters and not much more. It's Brian's -and the viewers'-welcome into the family. 2 Fast 2 Furious has Roman and Brian teaming up, which is just fun and entertaining. Tokyo Drift thrives solely on the humour and drifting, and adds a dash of mystery by not being the chronological third part of the franchise. In Fast & Furious 4, the viewers receive what they asked for, which is just more of the first film's family back together again. It does a fun job at that, but this film is mainly preparing the audience for Fast 5, which is known as the heist film. More over-the-top action, even more emphasis on family, more cars, and more cheesy humour. More of what we've already seen, but this time the story is quite solid, as well. Plus, you know, it has Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7 continue this successful formula and prove that the heist or a solid story are not obligatory for this blockbuster series to work. Just add more laws-of-nature-defying stunts, more cars, more awesomely stupid action sequences, more one-liners, and more family. That is all it takes to satisfy the fans at this point. And here's the beauty: the film makers behind this franchise know exactly what their audience has come to expect and gives them precisely what they love. That self-awareness is what eliminates the bad from the cringey.
The Fate of the Furious is yet another pile of Fast and Furious' beautifully self-aware, action-packed nonsense. And for me, that is what makes it so enjoyable. I can just grab a beer, grab some friends, sit back, pay very little attention to the dialogue, get a refill in between action sequences, and enjoy this film. I hope you can, too, but I can most definitely understand if you don't buy into the hype, as well.
The Fast and Furious is a surprisingly intriguing franchise. When asked what the best film of the series is, I believe the majority would vouch for Furious 7 or Fast 5. How is that possible? Is it because the series started out as "just okay" and by the time Fast 5 came out, it had finetuned everything into a solid action movie?
The answer is no. The first three entries in this series are mostly character-driven (yes, pun intended) expositions. It's not about the racing per se (except for Tokyo Drift, perhaps), it's about the characters. In other reviews, the comparison with a soap opera emerges, which is actually quite an apt description of the series allure. The characters have entertaining, albeit cheesy, chemistry, and it is even more satisfying to see this in the context of the many adventures that they have, alone or together. That is why 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift are still fun to watch, even though not all the characters are there.
The first film introduces the characters and not much more. It's Brian's -and the viewers'-welcome into the family. 2 Fast 2 Furious has Roman and Brian teaming up, which is just fun and entertaining. Tokyo Drift thrives solely on the humour and drifting, and adds a dash of mystery by not being the chronological third part of the franchise. In Fast & Furious 4, the viewers receive what they asked for, which is just more of the first film's family back together again. It does a fun job at that, but this film is mainly preparing the audience for Fast 5, which is known as the heist film. More over-the-top action, even more emphasis on family, more cars, and more cheesy humour. More of what we've already seen, but this time the story is quite solid, as well. Plus, you know, it has Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7 continue this successful formula and prove that the heist or a solid story are not obligatory for this blockbuster series to work. Just add more laws-of-nature-defying stunts, more cars, more awesomely stupid action sequences, more one-liners, and more family. That is all it takes to satisfy the fans at this point. And here's the beauty: the film makers behind this franchise know exactly what their audience has come to expect and gives them precisely what they love. That self-awareness is what eliminates the bad from the cringey.
The Fate of the Furious is yet another pile of Fast and Furious' beautifully self-aware, action-packed nonsense. And for me, that is what makes it so enjoyable. I can just grab a beer, grab some friends, sit back, pay very little attention to the dialogue, get a refill in between action sequences, and enjoy this film. I hope you can, too, but I can most definitely understand if you don't buy into the hype, as well.