100W: Fast & Furious 6

As a writer, it is expected that you keep to a strict word-count. When you pick up a magazine, articles can be a 100-word write-up or a 1000-word analysis. Notes created for films are easily over 100 words - so this feature will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words. No more, no less.

Fast & Furious 6 (Dir. Justin Lin/2013)

Fast & Furious 6 continues Justin Lin’s flawless streak in upgrading the series from bottom-barrel teenage shtick to high-octane, slick-stunted action heists to rival The Expendables. The latest instalment moves the crew to London to take on Shaw (Luke Evans), a unique villain as his crew includes Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) lost-love Letty (Michelle Roderiguez). The car-chases, by no means ignored, are amongst gun-fights and hand-to-hand combat adding to the pace and excitement on display. It resolves issues from previous films and despite the ridiculous tank and airplane finale, F&F6 is the strongest instalment through confident direction and increasingly likeable characters.

100-word reviews are available on all the Fast & Furious Films:

The Fast and the Furious

2 Fast 2 Furious

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Fast & Furious

Fast Five

100W: Fast Five

As a writer, it is expected that you keep to a strict word-count. When you pick up a magazine, articles can be a 100-word write-up or a 1000-word analysis. Notes created for films are easily over 100 words - so this feature will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words. No more, no less.

Fast Five (Dir. Justin Lin, 2011)

We’re taken to the streets of Rio in Fast Five, whereby Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) bring together characters from every previous film to take down Mob-boss Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). Again, Justin Lin directs an action-packed, rough-ride with the added bonus of Dwayne Johnson playing the FBI agent extraordinaire ‘Hobbs’, intent on catching the fugitives. Bullish-cars, gun-fights and bald-men-fighting deliver on their promise of testosterone-fuelled entertainment and returning cast members give a sense of camaraderie that has lacked previously. Fast Five knows what we like, and Lin has created a film-formula that absolutely works.

100W: Fast & Furious

As a writer, it is expected that you keep to a strict word-count. When you pick up a magazine, articles can be a 100-word write-up or a 1000-word analysis. Notes created for films are easily over 100 words - so this feature will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words. No more, no less.

Fast & Furious (Dir. Justin Lin/2009)

Fast & Furious ditches street-racing completely and turns into a brotherly-bonding exercise set within the drug-cartels, and tunnels, operating between Mexico and the US. Brooding Dom (Vin Diesel) is on a revenge mission, while Brian (Paul Walker) is decides whether he is a “good guy acting bad” or a “bad guy acting good”. Justin Lin continues directing, confidently upping the stakes in fresh stunts and hand-to-hand action – including a Casino Royale inspired foot chase in LA. Diesel and Walker command your attention, and their initial meeting is electric – setting foundations for a dynamic that is built for longevity; I’m sold!

100W: 2 Fast 2 Furious

As a writer, it is expected that you keep to a strict word-count. When you pick up a magazine, articles can be a 100-word write-up or a 1000-word analysis. Notes created for films are easily over 100 words - so this feature will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words. No more, no less.

2 Fast 2 Furious (Dir. John Singleton/2003)

The curious morals of The Fast and the Furious are further complicated by the shinier, brighter 2 Fast 2 Furious. Brian (Paul Walker) has run from police and is now on the streets of Miami. After a race-gone-wrong, Brian makes a deal to assist in capturing drug kingpin Verone (Cole Hauser) and chooses unlikely childhood-friend and ex-con Roman (Tyrese Gibson) to assist. The beaches, bikinis and boats give a gloss that its predecessor didn’t need, and, unlike Vin Diesel, Roman is a petty-thief and dirty-fighter – and there is no tension in their central relationship. Intense - but it lacks personality.

100W: The Fast and the Furious

As a writer, it is a regular expectation to keep to a strict word count. Every time you pick up a magazine, articles can be a small 100-word write-up or a 1000-word review. My own notes for the many films seen are always over 100 words - so this is a new feature that will focus on reviewing films in a concise 100 words.

The Fast and the Furious (Dir. Rob Cohen, 2001)

Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) is top-dog in illegal street-racing LA, as Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) tries to join in. An opening race establishes a simple world whereby the diverse cars match the diverse cultures that clash in this criminal world. But, an early reveal – that Brian is a cop – places this film in the clear-cut “good-guy-is-white” category – against the illegal criminals who seem to be anything but. Through brilliant stunts and a bass-pumping soundtrack you breathlessly see unbelievable races – and an unbelievable outcome as it portrays an America whereby crime’s allowed if (a white man decides) you’re a nice guy.

Further Reading: http://www.filmsnobs.com/www/shimes/fastfurious.htm