'2 FAST 2 FURIOUS' RUNS HOTTER THAN THE ORIGINAL.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic ``2 FAST 2 FURIOUS'' opens in much the same manner than its predecessor did. It's nighttime, just before a big street race, and all the cars have their hoods up and all the girls have their tops down (or almost so). Then the cars take off, and it becomes immediately apparent that this movie, in the hands of talented director John Singleton, is going to be a lot more fun that ``The Fast and the Furious'' ever was. The difference between the movies is that Singleton understands that he's not making high art here, a concept that completely eluded director Rob Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. the last time around. Cohen thought he was fashioning a ``Rebel Without a Cause'' for a new generation, and filled ``The Fast and the Furious'' with limp-noodle metaphors and melodrama. If that wasn't insufferable enough, Cohen's car chases relied too heavily on computer effects, turning the movie into a video game instead of a cinematic thrill ride. Singleton has fixed all that with ``2 Fast 2 Furious.'' The film's first hour alone has three great racing sequences and a corresponding set of party scenes filled with gyrating chicks and dudes Dudes may refer to:
put differently , the movie delivers what it should - cheap thrills - and serves them up with skill and economy. And in these days of pretentious pre·ten·tious adj. 1. Claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified. 2. Making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious. See Synonyms at showy. action flicks directed by hacks, that's no small accomplishment. Paul Walker returns from the first film. His character, Brian O'Connor Brian O'Connor may refer to:
be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" in nabbing a money launderer laun·der v. laun·dered, laun·der·ing, laun·ders v.tr. 1. a. To wash (clothes, for example). b. (an enjoyably oily Cole Hauser). O'Connor agrees to help, but only if he can choose his partner. Enter Roman Pearce (Tyrese), a wild card just out of jail, a place he believes his childhood buddy, O'Connor, sent him. This sets up a classic, trash-talking buddy/rivalry relationship, and Walker and Tyrese have a great, loosey-goosey chemistry that is central to the movie's appeal. The screenplay, credited to Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, feels like a straight lift from an old '70s cop show, but Singleton holds it together enough for the movie to feel like it has some forward momentum. And the racing - which relies much less on computer trickery Trickery See also Cunning, Deceit, Humbuggery. Bunsby, Captain Jack trapped into marriage by landlady. [Br. Lit.: Dombey and Son] Camacho cheated of bride after lavish wedding preparations. [Span. Lit. than the original - is spectacular, inventive and, most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , fun. It's the difference between the twee Mini Coopers in ``The Italian Job'' and the classic American muscle cars that run rampant here. Subtlety isn't a virtue, particularly when shallowness can be an art form in and of itself. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS - Three stars (PG-13: street racing, violence, language, some sensuality) Starring: Paul Walker, Tyrese, Cole Hauser. Director: John Singleton. Running time: 1 hr. 48 min. Playing: Wide release. In a nutshell: The movie delivers what it should - cheap thrills - and does so with skill and economy. Righteous. |
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