LIVING IN THE FAST LANE: Why We Still Love The Fast and The Furious Movies Eighth Movies in – FAST & FURIOUS 8 in Cinemas Now
Name a film franchise faster and more furious than this.
Fate of the Furious, the eighth instalment in the Fast and Furious franchise, has pulled in more than $1 billion worldwide. Yes, that's billion with a B. Now, most blockbuster franchises don't make it past the second or third sequel. But there's something about The Fast and the Furious that not only sustains audiences, but totally builds upon it with each new instalment.
So what is it about this mega-series, which first captivated audiences in 2001, that's so enticing even today? The Fate of the Furious (2017) and The Fast and the Furious (2001) are almost unrecognisable stacked next to each other, but there is also some level of familiarity that keeps moviegoers coming back.
It Knows What It Is
If you're going to the theater expecting an Oscar-winning production from Paul Thomas Anderson, then you will be sorely disappointed. Each Fast and the Furious film doesn't pretend to be "theatre" because that's not its calling card. The producers know what audiences want: fast cars, big action — and Dom, The Rock and family kicking a** and taking names.
The Action Has No Ceiling
And, speaking of what you're there to expect, the makers of this franchise seem to have no limit to just how ridiculous the action can actually get. We thought, in Furious 7, that leaping supercars between towers in Dubai was as bonkers as it could get, but we were wrong. In the latest film, Charlize Theron's character hacks all the cars in the city to automatically start up and chase our family friends. The end result is something never before seen on screen.
The Cars Never Disappoint
As a whole, the cars used throughout this blockbuster series are incredible. But what makes the cars driven by the franchise's main characters especially attractive is that they're cars we could actually own. Remember, the main car in the original The Fast and the Furious was a Toyota Supra, which can be purchased for less than $30,000 (albeit without all the mods and NOS).
The first movie inspired a generation of car enthusiasts who went out and bought used Japanese cars, slapped racing tires on them, and hit the streets in the spirit of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. And speaking of those two...
The Family is Real
We've grown to know these characters during the last 16 years, but the tragic death of Paul Walker during the filming of Furious 7 taught us that the familial relationships depicted in this movie are real and genuine. When you hear Vin Diesel speak about his dear friend Paul, it's real and that relationship shows in these movies.
The same goes for The Rock, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez and the other cast members, who are now regulars in this franchise. The "family" theme is an online joke at this point, but it makes sense why the movies harp on it so heavily; they're practically family both on screen and in real life.
Plenty More Where That Came From
At this rate, there inevitably will be a Fast and Furious 15 before the franchise is done. But the cast and crew show no sign of slowing down with everything we love in these movies. Fast cars, thrilling action and the family we love to follow will be back on screen for Fast and Furious 9 and beyond.
FAST & FURIOUS 8 IS OUT NOW
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