Fast and Furious

I could literally do this review in as little as 8 words, “fast cars fast women and Christians STAY AWAY”, but let’s not stop there. This was an action packed movie just like the previous three with driving scenes that were superb and left you almost breathless at times with the action and pace. So many car explosions that if I were an auto lover I would protest this movie based on automobile cruelty (if there was such a thing). When I was a younger lad I would have absolutely loved this movie and had no problem with some of the things that went on here. But, then again, if this movie were made when I was say, 19 it would have been given an “R” rating. The stuff they put in a “PG-13” movie now is just downright nasty.

So here goes; there were several scenes of women kissing women and one that would have made me blush had I carried my 13 year old niece to it. The use of the Lord’s name in vain as well as a few “F” bombs including the car at the end that was named “FBOMB”. As with the other Fast and Furious movies this was about street racing, half naked women and at times not being able to tell who the good and bad guys were. Revenge was one of the key plots in this movie and we know from the bible that this is not something that we should have in our hearts. Romans 12:19 says: Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

I am sure that someone could find some good about this movie, but when I look at the whole movie I don’t see anything good. There is deceit by the police, by friends, anger, lying and so much more that I could go on for days. I am going to end it here with a couple final statements. In our state the day after this movie was released a young mother and her son were killed in a needless accident involving street racing. I don’t know if this movie played a part in the senseless death of this woman and her son, but this movie and all it stands for supports this action and promotes it. When I was 18 I owned a car that would have probably done some of the things that these cars did. I was too respectful to do them for fear that something bad would have happened.

Anyone who goes to see this movie should understand a couple things about the movie industry today. First, they love to promote anything that is dangerous because we are all looking for that “rush”. God can supply all the rush we need if we give Him a chance. Second, we should view all movies in this genre as a facade that will only lead to a bad outcome if we don’t realize the facade while we are watching it.

Finally I just want to say, if you have friends that are into street racing please stay away from them when they are driving and don’t let them influence you into doing something that you may regret later. God will always forgive us for our sins if we ask and are truly sorry, but will you be able to forgive yourself if someone dies from your carelessness. I do NOT recommend this movie for Christians.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

Alternate review

Reviewed by: Ethan Samuel Rodgers
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking Quality: 1½

Note to Reader: No Oscar nominations in store—especially not for acting. And unfortunately for Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, there’s no Oscar for trying either.

If you happened to watch the first three films from the “Fast and Furious” franchise, you already know what the point of this film is: fast paced chase scenes, fights, partying and sex: the 4 biggest draw for a teenager with the hot laminated license in his hand. And the only thing that differentiates this film from the past three is that the director and screen writers try to include “heart” in this film, and just for your information, it doesn’t fly over so well.

The story takes place a few years after “2 Fast 2 Furious.” Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) is now part of the FBI, trying to hunt down a drug running boss named Arturo Braga, while Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is back to what he does best: stealing from truck drivers, only now he’s doing it south of the border. The two are yet again intertwined by the death of Toretto’s girlfriend, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) at the hands of Braga.

The violence isn’t overly offensive. There’s not a lot of blood or gore, but there were multiple guns fights, explosions, and plenty of brawling. The language was worst than expected, however. One F bomb to top off about 30 S**t’s, add in a few D**n’s and a**holes and you’ve got yourself a film that flies in just under the R rating. The sex doesn’t help either. Although there’s no actual big “sex scene,” there’s plenty of nearly naked women paraded across the screen in front of fast cars and worse, make out sessions throughout, most of these between girls at parties the racers go to (probably 3 separate female to female short kissing scenes).

As far as the entertainment value goes, it was fairly low. Although there was racing, and gun fights, and fist fights, they were served 15 minutes at a time, separated by overly dramatic music and moments of revered silence from the cast over the death of Letty. The whole film drags along in anticipation of the great car race, and when you finally get it, they go right back to trying to develop the “heart” of the film again. So, although you’ll get your fill of racing, you’ll get tired of being spoon fed a boring and predictable story from the writers backed up by too much dark monotonous tones straight from the “Law and Order SVU” soundtrack, topped off with an incredibly underwhelming plot twist, even for an action movie.

Ultimately, if you’re someone who really likes this franchise, don’t miss it. It reunites Dominic and Brian O'Connor and helps provide some closure, something fans have been waiting for. You’ll also enjoy this film if you like to take 15 minute power naps, because it’ll be real easy to drift off watching Diesel and Walker try to convey emotion and tell this story, and real easy to be woken up again by the engines revving and guns going off when you actually want to be watching.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

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