Fast and Furious

Title: "Fast and Furious" (AKA "The Fast and the Furious 4", 2009)
Genre: Action
Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language, and drug references)
Length of Time: 107 mins

What is it about?: Since he is still a fugitive, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) reluctantly leaves his long-time girlfriend, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), in the Dominican Republic, after running successful hijacking schemes on highway fuel tanks. He does so to protect Letty, but finds out he is unable to protect her from so far away.

He returns to Los Angeles, California and teams up with his old friend-turned-nemesis, Agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), to take on a common enemy. Although they have different motivations, Dominic and Brian set aside their differences to infiltrate underground illegal street-racing and drug trafficking operations.

In addition to bringing down a notorious drug lord, Brian has a chance to reconnect with his estranged love, Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster), Dominic's sister. He also has the chance to decide whether he's a good guy pretending to be bad or a bad guy pretending to be good.

My Review: 5/5 Stars. I am very pleased to rate this, especially after slamming Vin Diesel's last movie, Babylon A.D. Honestly, "Fast and Furious" met and exceeded my expectations. I don't know if Director Justin Lin had a bigger budget for this movie or what, but he created one heck of a movie this time. Maybe it just finally had the right combination-- the right leading actor with the right director. Lin and the cast accomplished what was not even close in the previous three "Fast and Furious" movies--excellent action sequences, well-developed plot, and believable character development all in one.

Hey, no offense to Tyrese or Lil' Bow Wow, but I was glad to see Vin Diesel back. I mean, seriously! He starred in the first one in 2001 (directed by Rob Cohen) and disappeared for a while. Thankfully, Vin Diesel did not let me down this time. He represented the muscle-bound, no-nonsense, mysterious, loyal-to-a-fault guy that we loved from the first "The Fast and the Furious". And, yes. Paul Walker held up his end again. He is the ever-present cornerstone of these movies, with the exception of "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006).

The movie is tragic, but not too sad... romantic, but not too sappy... funny, but not corny... sexy, but not gratuitous... It is complete with fast cars, fearless drivers, and strong personal motivations. What more can one ask of a movie? To top it all off--it has the perfect ending, that teases us with the promise of another sequel. Well done.

My Recommendation: If you like action movies, you will enjoy this one. You don't have to be a big fan of cars or racing in order to appreciate this fast-paced adrenaline rush. Watch it! It is an experience worth living for under two hours.