The Fast and the Furious

For all its cheesy dialogue, one-note characters, and lawless racing high jinx, "The Fast and the Furious" comes with some welcome understated
restraint in its action sequences. It's not your typical music video-inspired drivel of tight shot, quick edit action that a Michael Bay ("The
Rock") would have rendered. There is actually an arc to the action. By the time the picture hits fifth gear in its third act white-knuckle double
climax, you can fully appreciate the B-movie glory that the movie aspires to. There's even a less-than-predictable ending to send you on your way after watching macho Los Angeles street demons tear up the asphalt in high-tech souped-up Hondas. Sure it's a guilty pleasure watching stunt drivers put flashy state-of-the-art streetcars through impossibly daring maneuvers, but it's a happy indulgence nonetheless.
Rated PG-13. 100 mins. (B-) (Three Stars)