Delivers the Unexpected

Rating: Null/10 (15 February 2003)

I didn't expect too much from this film. I respect the presence Vin Diesel generates (most notably in Pitch Black, the only other film I'd seen him in besides Saving Private Ryan). The previews of this film made me believe it was another dumb, illogical car chase movie. I've always had a spot in my heart for the heat of street racing, having a 67 Camaro as my first car and muscling it whenever I could. It looked like another dumb, overproduced action film.
I was wrong.
While Diesel and Walker definitely jelled nicely and played off each other very well, credit to this must go to Rob Cohen and his team of photographers and soundmen. What's impressive is the feeling of speed this flick generates, and I saw it on HBO. I regret not seeing it on the screen with a major digital sound system.
The plot is so-so and rather predictable, but the real stars are the cars and the races, as well as an adrenaline pumping chase sequence during an attempted hijacking of a big rig. This has the best driving sequences since The Road Warrior. The attention to detail, from the design of the cars to the chirping of car alarms as drivers scatter from a police raid is inspired and humorous.
If you were skeptical of this film, give it a chance. It's not The Hours and doesn't aspire to be. It's 90 minutes of well paced entertainment I couldn't shut off when it started.
Rob Cohen is one of our most talented action directors. He's one to watch.