All stunts were performed in controlled environments with professionally
trained stunt crews on closed roads. No attempts should be made to
duplicate any action, driving or car play scenes herein portrayed."
What started off as a variation on the formula of the 1980's undercover cop action film Point Break, in which a lawman "goes native" after befriending the charismatic leader of a gang of criminals (who have a penchant for excelling at real fringes-of-society sorts of activities like surfing or street racing), has evolved into one of the most successful and entertaining film series in action cinema history. The heroes of the films are larger-than-life characters, nigh-invulnerable brigands who harbor a strong appreciation for fast cars but value family and friendship above all else, slightly schmaltzy until they take down their enemies with extreme prejudice leaving behind a trail of fiery destruction.
Turning Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Michelle Rodriguez into bona fide movie stars, and offering the spectacle of high-speed vehicular mayhem on sensational action set pieces (with occasional visions of scantily-clad women for good measure), The Fast and the Furious series continues to expand in terms of scope and talent, bringing in iconic action stars Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Kurt Russell, as well as international stars Joe Taslim and Tony Jaa.
Though the films vary in quality, especially the lackluster second film and the questionably tangential third installment, the filmmakers continue to build upon the strengths of the series, honoring every bit of established continuity, while practically tossing the laws of physics out the window to achieve maximum entertainment velocity.
