Barnes & Noble

This supercharged sequel to the sleeper 2001 hit The Fast and the Furious lacks the imposing presence of Vin Diesel but in all other respects replicates the original. In other words, it has a surfeit of hard-driving action and more than a smidgeon of sensuality, with plot and characterization left by the roadside in a cloud of dust. Boyishly handsome Paul Walker reprises his role Brian O'Connor, who has been bounced from the L.A. police force for allowing Diesel's character to escape. Now frequenting Miami's street-racing scene, Brian is enlisted by federal agents to help bust wealthy importer Carter Verone (Cole Hauser), known to be a ruthless drug lord who needs top drivers to make deliveries. Working with his old pal Roman Pearce (Tyrese) and undercover DEA agent Monica Clemente (Eva Mendes), O'Conner worms his way into Verone's organization and daily risks exposure while gathering evidence. Under the muscular direction of John Singleton, 2 Fast 2 Furious reflects the influence of hip-hop culture much more than did the original, but that’s just window dressing for the action. The car chases are extended set pieces, staged and executed flamboyantly; Singleton's choice of camera angles brings the viewer right into the chase, and the editing of these dynamic sequences maintains a truly breathless pace. Walker is just serviceable in the leading role, but sidekick Tyrese shows a flair for scene stealing, and the sultry Mendes positively oozes sex appeal. 2 Fast 2 Furious is basically just a "popcorn movie," something you watch with your brain on autopilot -- and, thankfully, it doesn't aspire to be anything else. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Vin Diesel opted to not appear in the sequel to the film the shot him to stardom in the first place, The Fast and the Furious. With the character of Dominic Toretto out of the picture, 2 Fast 2 Furious concentrates exclusively on the latest exploits of undercover agent Brian O'Connor, played by Paul Walker. In addition, with director Rob Cohen passing, producers have added a dash of credibility to the sequel by hiring John Singleton to helm. What does completely remain from the first film is the presence of fast-living underground street-racing gangs. Moving from Los Angeles to Miami, O'Connor is looking to redeem himself after the events of the first movie, so he again goes undercover to infiltrate another group of thuggish car enthusiasts. This time around he's enlisted the help of ex-con Roman Pierce (Tyrese) and fellow agent Monica Celemente (Eva Mendes) to bring down Carter Verone (Cole Hauser), an importer/exporter who heads up a massive drug trafficking operation. Heading up the supporting cast are hip-hop stars Ludacris and Fabolous. Matthew Tobey

Village Voice

The vehicular action in 2 Fast is profoundly low-tech, and engagingly brawny. Alex Pappademas

San Francisco Chronicle

Nothing says summer film fun like explosions, guns and cartwheeling cars -- and that's all here. C.W. Nevius

Product Details

• UPC: 025195055178
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Special Edition, Subtitled, Slip Sleeve, Dubbed
• Time: 1:48:00
• Sales Rank: 24,543

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Fast & the Furious Trilogy
• Fast & Furious: 4-Movie Collection

Features: