When The Fast and the Furious was released 25 years ago, nobody could have imagined that it would go on to become one of the biggest franchises in movie history. The original film spawned 10 sequels, with an 11th on the way, a spin-off, an animated series, a Universal Studios theme-park ride (which I’ve heard was truly awful), and made stars of Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker. While the series has certainly had its highs and lows, it connected with audiences around the world in a way few franchises have. In celebration of its anniversary, Universal has released a special-edition 4K UHD featuring a brand-new bonus feature, Riding a Legacy: 25 Years of Fast.
While the franchise eventually evolved into a campier, increasingly outrageous version of the Mission: Impossible films, the 2001 original was essentially a grounded Point Break rip-off, swapping surfboards for street-racing culture. Brian O’Conner (Walker) is an undercover police officer who infiltrates a crew of street racers suspected of hijacking trucks carrying expensive electronics. The crew is led by Dominic Toretto (Diesel), a professional street racer who commands tremendous respect within Los Angeles’ underground racing scene. His crew includes his girlfriend, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), his best friend, Vince (Matt Schulze), and several others.
The plot is pretty paint-by-numbers, but that simplicity is part of what keeps the film moving. The more time Brian spends with Dom, the less convinced he becomes that his new friend is the criminal his superiors believe him to be. Brian also develops a romantic interest in Dom’s sister, Mia (Jordana Brewster).
Ultimately, The Fast and the Furious is less interested in intricate storytelling than it is in fast cars, attractive people, and watching those attractive people drive those fast cars. Is the movie dumb? Absolutely. It’s very, very dumb. Yet there is an undeniable charm to it, largely thanks to the likability of Walker and Diesel. The two have terrific chemistry, and that chemistry is a major reason the franchise continued to bring audiences back for years. It is also one of the reasons the films made after Walker’s passing feel as though they are missing a crucial ingredient.
The new 4K presentation, featuring Dolby Vision, makes excellent use of the film’s neon-soaked aesthetic. The colors really pop, particularly during the nighttime street races, where the brightly lit cars and surrounding neon practically leap off the screen. The daytime Los Angeles sequences are equally impressive, with plenty of detail and vibrant colors. A great example is the scene where Brian and Dom stop for lunch at an open-air café, which looks particularly crisp and inviting in this new transfer.
The new Dolby Atmos soundtrack also gives the film’s sound design a significant boost. The roar of the engines during the street races has plenty of power and presence, while the energetic soundtrack fills the room. Sound design has always been an important part of the film’s appeal, and the Atmos mix does an excellent job of bringing those elements to life.
The Fast and the Furious may seem quaint compared with the gravity-defying spectacle the franchise would eventually become, but there is something refreshing about its relative simplicity. It’s a dumb, entertaining piece of early-2000s action filmmaking that introduced audiences to characters who would become cultural icons. Twenty-five years later, it remains one of the more enjoyable entries in the franchise—and this new 4K presentation gives it the upgrade it deserves.
Bonus Features:
- RIDING A LEGACY: 25 YEARS OF FAST (NEW!) – Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodrigez, Jordana Brewster, producer Neal Moritz and Meadow Walker reflect on 25 years of The Fast and The Furious in Cannes.
- DELETED SCENES
- THE MAKING OF THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS – Delve deeper into the world of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS with inside info on cast, crew and cars.
- MORE THAN FURIOUS – Alternate ending for THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
- HOT OFF THE STREET
- DOM’S CHARGER – Take a look at the role that Dom’s Charger played in FAST 1 and tease its rebirth in FAST 4
- QUARTER MILE AT A TIME – Look at the phenomenon of street racing, from its birth in the 20’s into a global phenomenon
- TRICKING OUT A HOT IMPORT CAR – Join Craig Lieberman, technical advisor on THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, as he tricks out a Mitsubishi Lancer, Evolution addressing the three main areas: speed, style and sound.
- MULTIPLE CAMERA ANGLE – STUNT SEQUENCE
- MOVIE MAGIC INTERACTIVE – SPECIAL EFFECTS
- FEATURETTE ON EDITING FOR THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA – See how to edit for graphic content while maintaining the integrity of the scene.
- VISUAL EFFECTS MONTAGE – From hand drawn and computer story boarding to green screen effects, this montage gives you a 360 degree look at the production of an epic racing scene
- STORYBOARDS-TO-FINAL FEATURE COMPARISON – Choose to view storyboards in real time as the scenes play from “The First Race” and the “Final Crash Stunt” or view separately
- JA RULE “FURIOUS” MUSIC VIDEO
- SPEED NEWS WRAP
- FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR ROB COHEN
Order THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION on 4K UHD
