Rio Grande Herald Movie Critic:
Gerald S. Salinas

New model, original parts. In my mind, this should have been the second movie in this series, instead of the fourth. I slightly enjoyed the second one, and didn't even see the third one. Fast and Furious, is indeed the fourth installment, and by the looks of it, (because of the aging characters and weak storylines), should be the last installment.

Dominic (Vin Diesel), returns to the states after being exiled. After living life in the fast lane in the Dominican Republic, Dom leaves the woman he loves Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), in fear of being captured. After being inform that Letty has been murdered, Dom so wise in the art of auto mobiles, gets just enough information, by tire marks on the streets. He finds out, what happened, how it happen, the type of tires, who sells them, and how she died, and a little more but you get the idea. I don't know about you but that's pretty impressive.

Brian (Paul Walker) also returns in this movie, all grown up as an FBI agent. Brian also follows up on the murder of Letty, which eventually reunites him with Dom, not a really happy reunion. Brian and Dom set off to find the men behind all this, in yes, an illegal street racing ring (I know it took me awhile to bring up cars). Of course the two heroes of the movie, eventually make there way in deep to get there hands on the men responsible, with a few details in between.

Fast and Furious has everything you expect, fast cars, furious characters, girls, explosions, and music. But yet having all these components, the movie still lacks excitement. The opening sequence was absolutely amazing, unbelievable, but amazing, I felt like standing up and clapping but didn't, fearing the people behind me would throw things at me and shout out "sit down!". That's what this movie lacked; more stunts like those, I just remember that car scene and the street racing scene, other than that, the movie forgot what made this movie worth watching.

As mentioned before, this is the fourth installment so I really didn't mind seeing lots of crazy stunts, but I didn't, this movie was out to be a big-boy and have an actual storyline, or so it tried. I was excited to see Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, back behind the wheel, Vin Diesel only has maybe two lines in the movie, but he's just so cool, why say anything.

The plot was a bit confusing and like I said weak. I didn't really understand the relationship between Dom and Brian, I couldn't understand why the bad guys needed drivers, and why are the bad guys always smaller in size compare the the good guys. This movie didn't deliver in a much wanted fight between Dom and the guy who actually killed Letty, instead you get an unsatisfying bout, if you can call it that.

All I'm saying is: not enough car action, weak story, it tried to hard on becoming a strong movie, the only thing that made this movie work was Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and that amazing opening scene, that's where I put my money, other than that, this movie drives 100 mph on a 55 mph, meaning it's forgettable. I will tell you this, driving back home I felt very cool listening to some Pit bull and Lil John.