2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Director: John Singleton

Starring: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser

Former cop Brian O’Conner is called upon to bust a dangerous criminal and he recruits the help of a former childhood friend and street racer who has a chance to redeem himself.

Here we go again! With the huge box office success of ‘The Fast and the Furious’, a sequel was inevitable. Along comes ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’, or ‘The Fast and the Furious 2’, if you will.

However, with the exception of Paul Walker, none of the original cast is back. Brian (Paul Walker) is no longer a cop, yet he finds himself once again working for the police. This time he – along with an ex-criminal friend, Roman (Tyrese Gibson) – has to investigate a wealthy criminal. Roman’s back story is not very clear and this character also serves as the film’s comic relief. The original film was far more serious and therefore more suspenseful; this film is very comedic and therefore I didn’t take it as serious.

If the premise itself is not cause for raising an eyebrow (or two!), then the execution thereof certainly will. Even Monica (Eva Mendes) was not a well defined character and I didn’t always understand her. In fact, very little here was well explained or believable. None of the characters were compelling.

At least the stunning cars are back, as well as incredible photography and amazing stunts. Unfortunately, it just didn’t compensate for where the film lacked. ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ is much slower paced, with much less car action, and not as interesting a story. It also doesn’t have as an impressive finale as the original. I’d much rather watch the original film again. I don’t even think I’m going to remember ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’. If there was nothing else to compare it to, it might have been a good watch. As a sequel to a fantastic film, however, nope.

‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ was a box office success, earning $236 million on a $76 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Not sure.