FAST & FURIOUS not to be confused with THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS is the fourth instalment of the franchise of the latter.  The original 4 stars, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster re-unite for what is supposedly the final chapter, proving that a recession is in our midst.

As far as FAST & FURIOUS goes, director Justin Lin provides lots of high speed chases with fast edits and short cuts offering a high adrenaline flow for audiences.  Continuity is questionable at times as one wonders where the chases really begin or end.  As for plot, Chris Morgan’s script offers the standard fare – heroes out for vengeance and the cop (Walker) and smart-talking attitude guy (Diesel) teaming up for a common enemy (by the name of Braga).  Romance is kept at a minimum to keep the plot (or cars) speeding ahead.  No character has anything interesting to say, and if he or she does, the audience would not really care anyway. 

Actor Vin Diesel who reportedly never stepped into the sequels of the xXx or THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS films because of his ego (though he had a cameo in the third TOKYO DRIFT) does a remarkable cardboard job of his character – the fugitive ex-con, Dom Toretto.  One could swear that he must have got Botox done as nothing on his face moves.  Paul Walker, by comparison, looks as if he delivered an Oscar winning performance.

To director Lin’s and the special effect crew’s credit, the beginning hijack fuel tanker sequence is amazing and edge-of-the-seat exciting, lasting a full octane fuelled 10 minutes.  Unfortunately, this act cannot be topped.  Worst of all, the chase climatic scene at the tunnels makes no sense at all and the cop-out teaser ending requiring a similar hijack at the start highlights the fact that the audience has had enough of this FAST AND FURIOUS franchise.

Lin’s signature is evident in the film.  He opts, as usual, for cinematic effects to move his audience.  The ratio of actors of Asian to other races is noticeably higher as well.  The fast paced, hip-hop, rap soundtrack by Bryan Tyler is an effective in keeping with the film’s pace.

Asian American director Justin Lin who wowed audiences with his SHOPPING FOR FANGS and BETTER LUCK TOMORROW seems to be driving downhill at top speed after being conned into making Hollywood formulaic movies.  ANNAPOLIS was supposedly to be his worst but he has proved otherwise with his latest load of rubbish!