  
Fast & Furiousa.k.a. “Fast and Furious,” “Dom,” “Fast & Furious 4,” “The Fast and the Furious,” “Toretto”MPAA Rating:
 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual content, language and drug references.Reviewed by: Larry Barber Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens, Adults
Genre:
Action, Sequel
Length:
1 hr. 47 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
April 3, 2009 (wide—3,400 theaters)
 
Relevant Issues
Sequel to: “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” (2006) How can I deal with temptations? Answer Should I save sex for marriage? Answer What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer  
“New model. Original parts.” 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 reviewReviewed by: Ethan Samuel Rodgers 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 See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - To be perfectly honest, I saw the original film several years ago and was okay with it. I thought the teen-oriented, scratch that, male-oriented eye-candy was overdone (said candy dutifully reprises its role in FF4), but other than that, ‘twas okay. Fast forward to some point in the interim between then and now, and I'm reading a review for some movie (can't recall which one). The reviewer draws the demarcation line for the movie's target demographic (sophisticates???) at the “The Fast and the Furious.” Something to the effect of “if you are of the Paul Walker/Vin Diesel lot, then you're stupid and can't appreciate the finer details of this film” … yadda yadda. And like I was a kid, caught stealing them dang cookies from the dang cookie jar, I immediately freeze. I feel mocked for watching FF… maybe? Instantly, I side with the movie doing the bashing. And from then on, I looked down on the FF franchise and vowed never to watch the sequels. A vow I upheld nearly 4 scores and 7 years. Neutral
Neutral - I found this movie to be a great sequel, if you cut 2 and 3 which were pathetic. I agree with the other reviewers, there's nothing in this movie that is “good” or would be considered good, much less Christ-like. When I went to see it, it's as if when I went to see “Dukes of Hazzard,” pretty much it got my mind off my problems for two hours. The stunt scenes were pretty cool and imaginative, even for this franchise. The story? I don't even remember what it was, I think it was trying to find out what happened to one of the characters. For, the only thing I found “for me” was the first fifteen minutes when they were using the iconic Grand National Buick which was good to see in a movie, unfortunately, they were stealing tankers with it. The rest is a 90 minute drug and you will not be better for it when your finished. Let's not forget very immoral. So watch the first fifteen minutes, the stunts almost look real, and then bring the dvd back. The rest is for the brain dead world that feeds on immoral and corrupt behavior. The end was utterly horrible. They looked like the Power Rangers in their vehicles. I am a fan of Vin Diesel though; I hope he gets a worthwhile movie his way soon. Neutral - As far as excitement and movie-making quality goes, the fourth outing is definitely the best. The director goes for heart and truth in the characters' spiritual turmoil (eg: Vin Diesel's character Dom saying grace before dinner) due to their predicament'. Positively, most of the characters who have returned from the film have positively realized their sins and are trying to do thing's the right way. The violence in the film is implied for the most part, the language compared to most movies is not too bad but it's the sexual content which I found nearly spoiled the movie. I'm no prude. But three scenes of girls kissing other girls is in bad taste and sends very sneaky subliminal messages. Negative
Negative - There was several scenes where women were kissing women, girls were half dressed, and the F-bomb was dropped. This movie is inappropriate for all ages. I was very disappointed. Negative - I went to see this movie with my boyfriend and another couple recently. Unfortunately, I hadn't read the reviews before I went to see it. Negative - For all males trying to stay pure, this is a film to avoid. I really found it difficult to keep my eyes on the screen when the close up shots of barely dressed women came on. Years ago, this would not have been the case, however this goes to show that Jesus really does change lives. Mind you, the car scenes were sick, but haven't we seen this kind of stuff before, and yet even better done. Trying to stick heart in this movie is like trying to jump into mud with out getting dirty; which cannot be accomplished and this movie proves that. If you can avoid this film, try to at all costs. Movie Critics
…if you're in the mood for a lot of vroom, vroom, thump, thump, then “Fast & Furious,” the fourth edition of that metal-twisting series, should leave you exhausted and satiated for a very long time.… …a tepid, repetitive and digitally augmented hot cars-hot women thriller that might probably won't give Vin Diesel and Paul Walker the career boost that “The Fast and the Furious” did.… …With several high-speed chase scenes that outrank any outside “The Transporter” movies for visceral force and spectacle, “Fast & Furious” is a stripped-down version of “The Fast and The Furious”… …“Fast & Furious” puts franchise in neutral… feels about as fresh and lively as a piece of burnt rubber.… …a relentless, adrenaline-inducing thriller that invites us to root for a bad guy trying to do good (Dom) and a supposedly good guy who often does bad (O'Conner).… …All you need to know is that there are at least six video game-ready chase scenes, edited in a blender and impossible to follow, but featuring crashes, explosions and shooting. Accompanying this mayhem are party scenes that might be described as PG-13 “Girls Gone Wild”… |
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