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I don't understand The Fast the Furious franchise's popularity

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I understand the general popularity, the past few have been fun, I just don't get the reverence they have among many. I've seen a good deal of people who usually turn their noses up at blockbuster movies that swear by them.
Cause other blockbusters have shit action. Shakycam (to hide the actors not being good at choreography), incomprehensible editing, lacking choreography, tons of CGI which makes you not care about what's going to happen to characters, etc. There isn't as much meticulous attention paid to the setpieces as it is in Fast and Furious movies where each setpiece is like the next daring stunt. Kingsman, John Wick, Edgar Wright movies, The Raid movies are not as big as Fast and Furious, so they don't get as many people screaming that you should watch these action movies as examples of good ones.

Furious 7 does have similar problems in a few spots like the melee fights (except for Ong Bak dude fight) which is why I don't rate it as high, but Fast 5 is the best.

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As much as I love the latest movies I miss the racing focus tbh. Nothing was better than rewatching one of the first three movies then booting up Need For Speed Underground 2 to live that life in game.
 
The thing about the F&F movies (and here I'm restricting myself to 5,6 and 7) is that they're dumb, but they're not poorly made. When people usually talk about "turning your brain off for movies" they're usually just forgiving poorly made stuff like the Transformers movies. The F&F movies aren't like that for a few reasons:

1. The action is competently made. Is it ridiculous? Yes, absolutely, but it's well presented, well laid out, has clear and obvious stakes, and you can tell what's going on. I thought 7 had problems, but the convoy chase scene is an incredibly well constructed action sequence that's exciting, well shot, well set-up and well paced. We know why characters are doing what they're doing at every given point, we understand the geography and layout of the action, and we're invested in what they're trying to do. Compared to something like Transformers, it's on a different level of filmmaking. It's just too bad the rest of the film doesn't live up to it.

2. These movies aren't cynical in the way so many big action films are these days. They're not dramas or anything, but they take their dumb camaraderie "brotherhood" stuff seriously, and even if it's silly and not particularly well acted, I like that they buy into it. Again, too many big action films just rush to the action sequences and then ignore the consequences and they end up being these slickly produced machines to produce explosions. These movies, for all their faults, actually care about the characters, and are invested in them. Again, I'm not saying the story is great, but there's a reason people are enjoying the end of the seventh film, and it's because as dumb as the whole thing has been, there always seemed to be real friendships at the center of it.
 
The biggest draw for me is that its just so fun. The cast seems like they're having fun, the film is fun to watch, and it really makes the less than stellar talent entertaining to watch. Although individually, none of the actors are very good - their chemistry and charm still does it for me.

The franchise knows it's dumb stupid fun, and embraces it to the fullest, especially in an era where most action movies have not been great.
 
It's pretty easy for me to see. Very easy.

Life would be better if we treated it like watching Fast and Furious movie. Just sit back, relax....and enjoy the hilarity unfold.
 
Something about them driving a tank down a busy highway and running over innocent people bothers me, and it's something I cringe at every time I see the movie. Even though it's not real and there's not actually anyone getting run over, just empty cars.

But man, those dudes that were in the cab of the truck that was transporting the tank, those guys got royally screwed.
 
Something about them driving a tank down a busy highway and running over innocent people bothers me, and it's something I cringe at every time I see the movie. Even though it's not real and there's not actually anyone getting run over, just empty cars.

That was literally the whole point of them driving a tank down a busy highway

They're the bad guys, they're fucking keeraaaazy
 
The movies are just good, mindless fun. That's all. You go in, shut your brain off, and enjoy it. Yes, some of the stunts areally absolutely absurd but that's the whole point of it.

Enjoy the action, the cars, and the cast that really seems to be enjoying themselves.
 
The thing about the F&F movies (and here I'm restricting myself to 5,6 and 7) is that they're dumb, but they're not poorly made. When people usually talk about "turning your brain off for movies" they're usually just forgiving poorly made stuff like the Transformers movies. The F&F movies aren't like that for a few reasons:

1. The action is competently made. Is it ridiculous? Yes, absolutely, but it's well presented, well laid out, has clear and obvious stakes, and you can tell what's going on. I thought 7 had problems, but the convoy chase scene is an incredibly well constructed action sequence that's exciting, well shot, well set-up and well paced. We know why characters are doing what they're doing at every given point, we understand the geography and layout of the action, and we're invested in what they're trying to do. Compared to something like Transformers, it's on a different level of filmmaking. It's just too bad the rest of the film doesn't live up to it.

2. These movies aren't cynical in the way so many big action films are these days. They're not dramas or anything, but they take their dumb camaraderie "brotherhood" stuff seriously, and even if it's silly and not particularly well acted, I like that they buy into it. Again, too many big action films just rush to the action sequences and then ignore the consequences and they end up being these slickly produced machines to produce explosions. These movies, for all their faults, actually care about the characters, and are invested in them. Again, I'm not saying the story is great, but there's a reason people are enjoying the end of the seventh film, and it's because as dumb as the whole thing has been, there always seemed to be real friendships at the center of it.

Yup, my same thoughts.
 
This flick more than many has made it ok to just not take action movies too seriously. We all know it's bullshit, but we're ok with it now. I don't know...that's just how it came to be. No eye rolling, just clapping.

At least for this.
 
I had never seen any of the movies until recently and I tried to start with #1. It didn't really grab me so I skipped to 5 and 6 like everyone recommends and those were really enjoyable. I need to go back and work my way through the first four at some point. One of the reasons the first movie was so hard for me to watch was all the terrible acting (with Walker being the worst offender).
 
Over the top crime-action movies, with bromances thrown in. And an ensemble cast of not-horrible actors. Oh and fast cars. The franchise embraces it's dumb, over the top self. It doesn't try to be anything else.

Fun movies, but I'm not much of a fan. About on par with the Transformers
 
I want to talk about Roman's frugal ways even after he's a millionaire

Like that scene where he's trying to borrow money for a candy bar
 
Trying to judge it and figure it out based on the first or second (or third) movie isn't going to get you anywhere. The initial movies were popular enough that they made money and kept the series going, which let the series evolve with each installment. There's a perceptible change in the fourth movie, and then they really seem to figure out what it is with the fifth. That's where it really exploded and transitioned from a "cool cars and car races" kind of small, kind of bad movie series, to legitimately gigantic, incredibly well-realized action spectacle with a large, diverse ensemble that isn't really about car racing anymore but globe-trotting heists and over the top villains and The Rock covered in baby oil. The sixth film takes things even further (maybe a bit too far?)

Pretty much this. I never thought I'd be defending Fast and the Furious but here it goes:

I had no interest in these movies before the 4th - my brother, cousins, boyfriend all loved them cause "carz guyzz" but they kind of got their shit together around the 4th and anyone who stopped before that won't see it the way the rest of us do.

It really is just a dumb, over-the-top action movie that knows it's being a dumb, over-the-top action movie. There's a big of variation with the cast (some women, not all caucasian people) that people find relatable and with the stunts it almost feels like they're saying "wanna see something absolutely ridiculous but super cool?". They're not trying to make you believe everything is possible, although a lot is done without CG gimmicks. My family and I make it a big outing when a new one releases because it really just feels like having fun with your friends.
 
I didn't get it at all until last week when I sat down to a few of the movies.

Basically they took a series that had street level appeal for gangsters and gear heads, and turned it into Swagger Mission Impossible.

Now that I've seen the latter ones, I'm not confused about its popularity at all. It's pure Hollywood magic: sexy girls, sexy guys, sexy cars, heists, beautiful locations, humor, bromantic family values.... And continuity.

They stumbled into a franchise that is not unlike Star Wars or Harry Potter... But more for everymen. Something the non-geeks might fall in love with, but still follow like a fantasy franchise movie all the same.

I'm now a fan.
 
I'm kinda the same; I watched the first two and sorta had my fill with the series. I haven't seen another once since.. honestly surprised that there are 7 of them.
 
I'm kinda the same; I watched the first two and sorta had my fill with the series. I haven't seen another once since.. honestly surprised that there are 7 of them.
I think you can't understand the current phenomenon until you've seen Fast Five and beyond. They consiously changed the format of the series from mainly street racing to an action heist show (with some racing).
 
1-3 was on a downhill trajectory. 4 was essentially a reboot that injected life into the franchise (and brought people back)

I agree but 4 sucked a little bit then fast five came and really blew people away...Tokyo drift was the worst though I mean DAMN straight up Channel USA quality ....
 
I agree but 4 sucked a little bit then fast five came and really blew people away...Tokyo drift was the worst though I mean DAMN straight up Channel USA quality ....

bow weezy carried that movie yo

Seriously tho, fast 5 was great fun. It just does a lot right. 6 drops the ball a bit and i haven't seen 7

The only thing is that it's turning into a new age expendables and i'm not entirely sure how i feel about it
 
Even some people defending the glorious F&F franchise, which needs no defense, are dumping on the first movies.

OG The Fast and the Furious now and forever remains the best Fast and Furious movie. Life was simpler, times were harder, grinding just to survive, and all you had was family.

Real talk.

I liked its simplicity back then. You couldn't have stretched that kind of movie to a 7 movie franchise tho, unless you went super dark with gangs and crime, so I'm glad 5 threw everything out the window.
 
3 is actually my favorite. The rest are cool except 2. I dont exactly care for the fast and the furious franchise but I have watched them. Primarily because I liked 3 so much
 
The thing about the F&F movies (and here I'm restricting myself to 5,6 and 7) is that they're dumb, but they're not poorly made. When people usually talk about "turning your brain off for movies" they're usually just forgiving poorly made stuff like the Transformers movies. The F&F movies aren't like that for a few reasons:

1. The action is competently made. Is it ridiculous? Yes, absolutely, but it's well presented, well laid out, has clear and obvious stakes, and you can tell what's going on. I thought 7 had problems, but the convoy chase scene is an incredibly well constructed action sequence that's exciting, well shot, well set-up and well paced. We know why characters are doing what they're doing at every given point, we understand the geography and layout of the action, and we're invested in what they're trying to do. Compared to something like Transformers, it's on a different level of filmmaking. It's just too bad the rest of the film doesn't live up to it.

2. These movies aren't cynical in the way so many big action films are these days. They're not dramas or anything, but they take their dumb camaraderie "brotherhood" stuff seriously, and even if it's silly and not particularly well acted, I like that they buy into it. Again, too many big action films just rush to the action sequences and then ignore the consequences and they end up being these slickly produced machines to produce explosions. These movies, for all their faults, actually care about the characters, and are invested in them. Again, I'm not saying the story is great, but there's a reason people are enjoying the end of the seventh film, and it's because as dumb as the whole thing has been, there always seemed to be real friendships at the center of it.

yoo you get it

Even the fans of the series don't pretend it's anything more than low brow entertainment.

FYI, you're on a video game forum
 
Eh not really, so many of the stunts are just covered in CG. The lack of practical elements kills so much of modern day stunts and just how ridiculous so many of the action set pieces can be..... eh. It lacks the realistic oomph of practical stunt work like that of classics like Die Hard and such. Instead with these movies it's just eye rolling over the top


Which fast movies are you talking about? 1-4 had a good bit of CGI, Fast 5 and on had much less in comparison with it's practical effects usage.
 
The opportunity to experience the Fast and Furious saga for the first time in the form of a week long marathon. One movie a day.

I actually did a Fast and the Furious marathon last weekend with the wife. I still believe 1 and 5 are the best Fast and the Furious movies.
 
Tokyo Drift seems to be turning into the In Her Majesty's Secret Service of the Fast/Furious series. Poor Lucas Black, it never happened to the other fella.
 
Cause other blockbusters have shit action. Shakycam (to hide the actors not being good at choreography), incomprehensible editing, lacking choreography, tons of CGI which makes you not care about what's going to happen to characters, etc. There isn't as much meticulous attention paid to the setpieces as it is in Fast and Furious movies where each setpiece is like the next daring stunt. Kingsman, John Wick, Edgar Wright movies, The Raid movies are not as big as Fast and Furious, so they don't get as many people screaming that you should watch these action movies as examples of good ones.

Furious 7 does have similar problems in a few spots like the melee fights (except for Ong Bak dude fight) which is why I don't rate it as high, but Fast 5 is the best.

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I remember the first time I saw the vault heist in Fast 5 and the only thing I was thinking was "HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME!"
 
I went to see the new one and was really bored. Vin Diesel's character must be the dullest protaganist ever, he seemed to be sleepwalking through the movie. This is my third one I've watched, I'm really perplexed as to why these are popular. I'm not annoyed that they're popular, I just don't get it.
 
I have yet to hear anyone actually elaborate why 2Fast is a bad movie. That 100 car scramble scene was legit and the Miami locale was pretty nice. Roman carried that movie.

Also, please stop posting or quoting Lucas Black gifs please.

I went to see the new one and was really bored. Vin Diesel's character must be the dullest protaganist ever, he seemed to be sleepwalking through the movie. This is my third one I've watched, I'm really perplexed as to why these are popular. I'm not annoyed that they're popular, I just don't get it.

Vin Diesel's character is the leader of the crew. He has to be normal and "boring" in face of the wacky characters these films have birthed. He balances everything out and reminds you that family is everything.
 
I watched fast 7 (was the first movie i've ever watched from the franchise) and I didn't like it. Feels like the kind of movie you have to turn off your brain to enjoy rather than over analyzing why or what is going on in the movie.
 
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