The Book Hunter Watches a Movie

I'm one of those guys who saw The Fast and The Furious was blown away by the storytelling awesome way cars sped down the street, exploded and how the drivers, somehow, walked away from it all. I'm also the sort of guy who likes to pretend 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift - the sequels that followed after - don't exist. For me, it's the first film then a handful of years of nothing before Fast and Furious, followed by the almighty of sequels, Fast Five.

Despite my belief that they don't exist, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift do play a hand in the storytelling in this fifth part, as several actors from both films reprise their roles. Here's where the storyline gets a little tricky, though. Because these films don't run chronologically. The time line is as follows: The Fast and Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast and Furious, Fast Five and Tokyo Drift, with a sixth film following after - if it's not call Furious Six, I'm going to be pissed.

This film picks up where the last one ends, with Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and crew racing after the prison bus carrying Dom (Vin Diesel). They manage to free him and begin their lives on the run. Brian and Mia (Jordana Brewster) head to Rio de Janeiro where they meet up with long time - and missing since the first flick - friend, Vince (Matt Schulze), who offers the two a job stealing cars from a train. Brian later learns that the cars were confiscated by the DEA and the people who put them up to it only want one. Dom, who learns quickly of the plan, instructs Mia to steal the car while he and Brian take care of the thugs. 

Framed for killing three DEA agents, Dom, Mia and Brian learn that DSS Agent, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and his team are hunting for the three of them. The three quickly formulate a plan to enact revenge on those who wronged them by stealing $100 million dollars. This is where the old friends from the previous sequels come into play. 

(spoiler alert behind the cut)

The sequel ends with a post credit scene featuring Eva Mendes reprising her role as US Custom Agent Monica Fuentes handing over a file to DSS Agent Luke Hobbs in which a current photograph of Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) taken during  a heist of a military convoy in Berlin. For those who don't remember, Letty apparently died in Fast and Furious. This ending clues us in on plot the sixth film.

The film keeps the viewer on the edge of his seat. High tension between Dom and Luke made me realize that the two actors could be related - or at the very best, long-time lovers. The formula works - original cast members plus a sexy location plus new characters. I believe Fast Five is the superior sequel compared to the previous three - though Fast and Furious was what brought it all back.

It's not my typical movie, but it's a fun one. One that should be enjoyed by fans of the original. Until next time, keep on huntin'.