2 Fast, 2 Furious

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UK Release Date: June 20th 200 childhood friend Roman Pearce are re-united by the FBI to bring down a Miami drug exporter in exchange for clear records.

Director: John Singleton (Abduction, Four Brothers, Shaft)

Starring: Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, Cole Hauser, Ludacris, Devon Aoki

2 Fast, 2 Furious is the follow up to 2001's The Fast and the Furious. Essential characters are missing, Vin Diesel being the most extravagant. Dominic Toretto missing is felt considerably. A presence like his won't be easily replaced. Newcomer Tyrese Gibson has big shoes to fill, and fill them well he does.

Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster are also replaced with Eva Mendes and Devon Aoki, with the latter impressing considerably. Paul Walker has need of support, just as he did in the first film. His character is still under-developed. Gibson's Roman Pearce has an over-develop. We know Brian O'Connor reasonably well, but there is still a lot to learn about him. We weren't given the opportunity before. 

The plot is deeper this time round, but it's hard to focus on it when a sequel doesn't involve key players that we would have loved to have seen again. 2 Fast, 2 Furious would have suited better as a prequel than a sequel.  

If you're watching this for the action-packed, high adrenaline car races then you're in the right place. Expect more of the same mechanics, 'lightning speed' effects and very, very flashy cars. All the races fit in to the story well, whether it's Brian and Roman chasing down a package for drug lord Carter Verone (Hauser) or on the run from police, there's plenty to get excited about.