The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Starring: Lucas Black, Bow Wow, Sung Kang, Nathalie Kelley, Brian Tee
Directed By: Justin Lin
Running Time: 104 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for reckless and illegal behavior involving teens, violence, language and sexual content.

Changing Gears

The third installment of this hot rod franchise takes a detour and leaves behind the ghosts of the first two films. After Vin Diesel was dropped from the second movie we find Paul Walker similarly absent from this current incarnation. In that sense this film isn't even a sequel to the other two films. Really all it shares is the title and focus on fast cars and hot women, or fast women and hot cars, I always get the two mixed up. Even the racing in the movie is different as the races are now drift races consisting of cars sliding around tight, winding courses in Tokyo rather than drag racing down straight roads in L.A.

Justin Lin takes over the directing duties and does a good job with showcasing the real stars of the movie, the cars. When you are squarely aiming at the young male demographic you had better bring the action above all else and Lin shows that he's graduated from indie film school as the racing and chase scenes are well choreographed and convey speed and excitement without going too far and becoming cartooney and absurd. The sound track is also well chosen and adds to the street feel. While I am several years older than the target audience I found myself regressing a few years as I enjoyed the action in the movie. The initial race in Tokyo is especially good at showcasing the particular type of racing in the film.

In a supporting role, Lucas Black, probably best known as the little boy in Slingblade, plays the hero. It's nice to see the charm that Black had as a child actor has not disappeared as he has grown up. With his southern accent and easy manner, Black makes Shawn Boswell a likeable character who is easy to root for. Acting-wise, Black isn't really required to tread in very deep water here, especially compared to something like Slingblade, but he does what he can with the role and makes it look comfortable.

The same can't really be said about the rest of the cast. Compared to Black everyone else seems like they got pulled right out of their high school drama club. I was particularly surprised with Sung Kang who was in Lin's breakout movie, Better Luck Tomorrow. While I will be the first to admit that Kang's character Han is certainly one-dimensional that doesn't mean that Kang couldn't have done more with the role. It seemed he was uncomfortable in the humourless role and was searching for some way to create something more in spite of the tired dialogue. Ultimately he fails and comes off flat as does Kelley who plays Neela, the main love interest for Black. Bow Wow is basically Bow Wow in the film and more power to him for finding work playing himself in these movies.

In rating these kinds of movies I approach them with a view that they offer up a certain kind of entertainment. When you come to see a movie about young, urban kids racing souped up cars you can't start criticising the lack of plot or the absence of deep thematic elements. The movie does not have anything more than the basic story to act as a frame for the cars to be displayed on.

Shawn gets in trouble racing cars and is sent to live with his father in Tokyo where he gets into more trouble racing cars. This being a teen movie there isn't a lot of time to let things slowly develop so Shawn makes his best friend and his worst enemy and gets into his first race...all during his first 24 hours in Japan. It takes him a few more days to get the girl though. As with all movies taking place in Japan it wouldn't be complete without the required Yakuza bad guys. Watching these movies you would think the Yakuza hang out on every street corner like 7-11s, really nasty, evil 7-11s.

Lin knew what he was getting into though and produces a good popcorn movie with a healthy dollop of cheese thrown in. Some of the dialogue is embarrassingly bad and the plot leaves you scratching large bald patches into your skull. In the end though you walk away enjoying what you saw even if the memories of it leave your mind faster than the souped up imports on-screen.

3.5 stars out of 5
© 2005 Review by Son Tran