Rating: 6/10
Review date: July 13, 2003
In this sequel to The Fast and The Furious, former undercover LA cop Brian O�Connor is now involved in illegal street racing in Miami to make his living. One day he was busted and was offered a deal by Agent Bilkins to help investigate a local crime lord in exchange for a clean record. O�Connor agreed only if he can bring Tyrese, his childhood friend, along for the ride.
This movie is directed by John Singleton and he did a better job than his predecessor, Rob Cohen, did with The Fast and the Furious in two years ago. The first proof of this is the super-cool opening race sequence which really make me want to buy a car and get involved in some illegal street race. The blurry effect used in this scene is effective and it does give you that feeling of �flying� especially when the racers pressed their nitrous oxide buttons.
That said, there is also a rather-impossible-but-cool scene which involves a warehouse being surrounded by cops (refer to the trailer). All of a sudden, a horde of cars lurched out from the building and the baffled cops barely had time to react. Cops might not be so stupid in real life but the scene still managed to entertain me nevertheless.
This movie is also not lacking too much in the acting department compared to the first movie. The more notable appearance here is Tyrese as Roman Pearce who indirectly replaced Vin Diesel from the original movie. He has some funny lines and actually serves as a great partner to Paul Walker who reprises his role as Brian O�Connor.
The females this time around are Eva Mendes as Monica Clemente who has some potential for further development but her character ultimately ended up as being more of an eye candy. The same can be said for Devon Aoki as Suki although her costumes are quite nice but then her role is also more of Michelle Rodriguez in the original movie.
Thom Barry also returns as Agent Bilkins and his character is less of an asshole than before but he doesn�t have much to say anyway. Cole Hauser as Carter Verone, the local crime boss that they�re trying to catch is also not memorable.
In my opinion, 2 Fast 2 Furious improves on its predecessor in many ways although there is not too much of an impact to note. It has a better story to tell as well as bigger stunts and more intense race sequence although the absence of Vin Diesel is truly regrettable.
The major difference is that the original movie focuses more on the illegal street racing culture and its people while the sequel is more involved with the main storyline that is peppered with some twists near the end. The music is also nicely done and they really fit the scenes in which they are presented. By the way, did I also mention that this movie is basically about cool cars and hot chicks running around the place in skimpy outfits? That should give you a reason to watch this movie even if you�re not a fan of automobile (like me) although I think that the movie makers should have opted for an R instead of PG-13.
Memorable quote: �I have a problem with authority.�
-Tyrese as Roman Pearce-
(c) Martin Taidy 2003