I watch an action classic for the first time. I read more from Segar, Ellroy and Aristotle. Roulette conjures recollections more of where I was when I read certain books than of the books themselves.
I watched all the F&F movies with friends some years ago. They get both worse and better somehow, and don't follow a linear quality trendline. I found the first borderline unwatchable, the second highly objectionable, all the rest "totally fine" but entirely forgettable; and I enjoyed them all, probably the second the most. The second is almost special in its stupidity.
One thing I remember about the first: in the ostensibly-dramatic race scenes, their efforts to build tension and have dialogue moments and show e.g. the "drama" around the activation of whatever boost (?!?!?!) lead them to shoot inside the car for lengths of time that imply that this drag race is like 45 miles long. The entire time, there are deep, cheering crowds, cumulatively suggesting a world-historically unreal situation in which *millions* of people have turned out to line the entire length of a late night illegal street race you can see from space.
Anyway, later movies have way worse shit than that. I'd honestly rewatch them all I guess, if I were chilling somewhere.
Your talk about Vin Diesel overpowering his co-stars reminds me about going to a Post-Modern dance performance that was headlined by Baryshnikov. It was an odd disconnect, because many of the pieces explored anonymity and mundane everyday movement. But that dynamic is destroyed with the animalistic gravity of a prima donna on stage. He was so great he couldn't turn it off.
Okay, I just arrived here from your response to my Note about the Barbie movie and I'm overjoyed to see you talking about comic strip art. And I get to say that one of the best parts of my day used to be reading the newspaper funny pages. There used to be so much greatness. And now I don't read them at all. They might as well be the horoscope.
Thank you! I'm a cartoonist and designer myself, not to mention lifelong comics reader, so it is a subject about which I have strong views. I read at least two full pages of classic newspaper comics per day from books I get mostly from the public library. As a consequence I tend to end up writing about comics in almost every entry.
For some reason F&F is one of the movies I go back to when I need a mind numbing over-the-top action movie that takes itself too seriously. I bought almost all of them and binged them but stopped watching after the Brazilian heist I think. I hope that's where I stopped.
Taking it for what it is, Fast and Furious is the peak. Equal parts driving action sequences and heist flick. They officially jump the shark in 2 Fast 2 Furious as the name implies, but I can still stomach watching that one repeatedly--I think because the characters are written slightly better and their dynamic is fun and personable. I pretend Tokyo Drift doesn't exist. The rest of the movies devolve into ever more elaborate heists that don't make sense for a southern california street gang.
I enjoyed your take on this movie, I would encourage you to watch 2 Fast 2 Furious mostly because I am really curious how you would assess it as a comparison to the first. I make no claims that either are good though, so if you ever decide to proceed, I would say hit 2F2F and go no further.
Noted! I granted Mills the authority to decide if I watch the next one and he decreed I shall. Your input cements the rightness of that choice. Review will be forthcoming!
I watched all the F&F movies with friends some years ago. They get both worse and better somehow, and don't follow a linear quality trendline. I found the first borderline unwatchable, the second highly objectionable, all the rest "totally fine" but entirely forgettable; and I enjoyed them all, probably the second the most. The second is almost special in its stupidity.
One thing I remember about the first: in the ostensibly-dramatic race scenes, their efforts to build tension and have dialogue moments and show e.g. the "drama" around the activation of whatever boost (?!?!?!) lead them to shoot inside the car for lengths of time that imply that this drag race is like 45 miles long. The entire time, there are deep, cheering crowds, cumulatively suggesting a world-historically unreal situation in which *millions* of people have turned out to line the entire length of a late night illegal street race you can see from space.
Anyway, later movies have way worse shit than that. I'd honestly rewatch them all I guess, if I were chilling somewhere.
Yeah and also the event is called "Race Wars"!?
lmfao I forgot that shit lol, good lord
I've decided that it's up to you whether or not I watch 2 Fast 2 Furious or whatever it is called. Which way will Caesar Millsus's thumb point?
I accidentally hid your comment saying I should watch it; how do I undo that!!
God, heavy lies the crown; it’s *terrible*, but I’ll say: yes; you have to see this shit.
And I put the movie on hold
Okay the comment is safe (?)
Did or will you watch the newest one?
I did not!!! I’ve had more and more trouble watching anything!
Nice good information
Your talk about Vin Diesel overpowering his co-stars reminds me about going to a Post-Modern dance performance that was headlined by Baryshnikov. It was an odd disconnect, because many of the pieces explored anonymity and mundane everyday movement. But that dynamic is destroyed with the animalistic gravity of a prima donna on stage. He was so great he couldn't turn it off.
Sounds like a perfect analogy. Next: let's get Diesel into a postmodern dance performance
That would be epic!
Okay, I just arrived here from your response to my Note about the Barbie movie and I'm overjoyed to see you talking about comic strip art. And I get to say that one of the best parts of my day used to be reading the newspaper funny pages. There used to be so much greatness. And now I don't read them at all. They might as well be the horoscope.
Thank you! I'm a cartoonist and designer myself, not to mention lifelong comics reader, so it is a subject about which I have strong views. I read at least two full pages of classic newspaper comics per day from books I get mostly from the public library. As a consequence I tend to end up writing about comics in almost every entry.
For some reason F&F is one of the movies I go back to when I need a mind numbing over-the-top action movie that takes itself too seriously. I bought almost all of them and binged them but stopped watching after the Brazilian heist I think. I hope that's where I stopped.
Taking it for what it is, Fast and Furious is the peak. Equal parts driving action sequences and heist flick. They officially jump the shark in 2 Fast 2 Furious as the name implies, but I can still stomach watching that one repeatedly--I think because the characters are written slightly better and their dynamic is fun and personable. I pretend Tokyo Drift doesn't exist. The rest of the movies devolve into ever more elaborate heists that don't make sense for a southern california street gang.
I enjoyed your take on this movie, I would encourage you to watch 2 Fast 2 Furious mostly because I am really curious how you would assess it as a comparison to the first. I make no claims that either are good though, so if you ever decide to proceed, I would say hit 2F2F and go no further.
Noted! I granted Mills the authority to decide if I watch the next one and he decreed I shall. Your input cements the rightness of that choice. Review will be forthcoming!