The one with the mini movie review – Fast and Furious

Normally when a movie gets a third sequel, it usually means something. That can be a selection of things, but normally it means that there’s still a shit load of money that can be made from the franchise!

And with a huge opening weekend, Fast and Furious is serious proof in a big, kick ass pudding. Movies like this, provided they are well made are pure entertainment and the only thing you need to think about, is have you put too many malteser’s in with the popcorn?

Fast and Furious has evolved from the original, which really was about street racing. While there’s plenty of racing action in this, the story is one of possible revenge and the taking down of a major drug criminal, with a few races blended into the mix. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker who made the very first movie so enjoyable, are back.

Dom (Vin Diesel) is looking for revenge after his girlfriend is killed and O Conor (Walker) is now an FBI agent and is looking to track down the drug dealing / trafficking bad guy. The lads earn a place in a drug running crew by street racing, all the time while trying to get the bad guy and the guy who killed Dom’s better half. Without giving too much away, the final half of the movie revolves around a hijacked hummer full of heroin and an exchange scenario.

Movies like this will never win awards for acting or writing. And I wondered if a fourth movie in any series could hold its weight. Given the original lead’s returned to the franchise, that was a promising start. Gone are the snazzy cgi scenes, that were so prominent in the original movie. Instead, there are major full on driving stunts which are at times breathtaking. Particular mention must go to the opening sequence with the petrol tanker.

If you fancy a no brainer of a movie and fancy some great stunts and action then you can do no wrong by going to see Fast and Furious and of course it’s a petrol head’s wet dream. Granted they have the worlds most annoying sat nav in the movie. Don't expect Oscar worthy performances or anything. The cast do their bit adequately. The franchise has certainly matured and grown up a bit and it does exactly what it says on the tin. No brained, quality escapism, brimming with entertainment.

8/10

Fast and Furious Trailer

The one with the mini movie review – Let the right one in

Swedish cinema arrives in Cork with a major bang this Friday (April 10th) with, Let the right one in, which has over 40 awards to its name.

Its a simple story. Bullied boy, who’s a little obsessed with murder (Oskar) meets the new girl in his apartment block, who is a vampire. She needs feeding, and her minder goes off and murders people, by slitting their throat, after hanging them upside down from a tree..of course. He then attempts to fill up big gallon drums with their blood and bring back the liquid happy meal to little miss vampire to feast on

The town thinks there is a serial killer on the loose, until one of the local’s spots Eli (little miss vampire) attacking someone. But some think he’s a little reserved, given that he’s like the mad cat woman from the Simpsons.

The movie follows the growing relationship between Oskar and Eli and how they become friends and eventually “Go steady”. Throw in the continuing problems with bullying for Oskar and how he deals with the bullies and the constant hunger experienced by Eli, you have an amazing movie.

It is incredibly well shot and from the first moment, I was completely and utterly sucked in by the landscapes, the people and an amazing soundtrack which is put to superb use throughout. Let the right one in, is in Swedish, but is subtitled in English. Don't let that put you off whatever you do, as you will miss out on something truly brilliant. There is fantastic performances from all, especially the 2 teenage actors and it feels like your not actually watching a movie, the performances are actually that good! While it may be another vampire movie and quite horrific at times, it brings a human quality to the vampire legend.

I loved Let the right one in, its something different and refreshing and has a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ending that will bring a masochistic smile to your face..

While this may not make the Fast and Furious fans take off their pants, Let the right one in; simply put, is not only European cinema at its greatest, but it is cinema at its finest.  

10/10