Is this one better, worse or on par with the first film? - 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) Discussion

[–] LordBAElish (2015) 5 years ago

Its not as good as the first, but go see it. Turn your brain off and enjoy the action and beautiful women.

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[–] Wuchak (8156) 5 years ago

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'll check it out tonight and eventually get to the others.

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I actually think this is even better than the first one, and even funnier thanks to Tyrese, who has all the best jokes and observations in the entire film. Not hard to see why he got brought back for all the later sequels---he's hilarious, and the dynamic between him and Paul Walker's character is what really makes this film. I really enjoyed it.

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[–] thewaitress (1616) 5 years ago

You should watch every movie in the series, tokyo drift might be extra, so you could skip that one (maybe at a later date) but I recommend watching all of them.

I think this one isn't better but worth a watch for the story of it all. :)

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 5 years ago

Tokyo Drift is the most underrated entry in the franchise. Personally I think it is the second best film of the whole series, after the first film. You could make the argument Fast Five is better, but eh, I find TD far more rewatchable.

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[–] moviechatterer (13451) 3 years ago

True ,Id rate TD above most of the others

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[–] charliekelly (1018) 5 years ago

It's worse, without a doubt, but I'd say you shouldn't skip any, as most (if not all) of the movies introduce characters that will be seen later.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 5 years ago

Good point about the characters. Tyrese ends up being a fairly important character in the series and this is his origin story. I've never thought of it that way, but it's totally true.

But yeah, 2 Fast is a pretty big step down from the first film. I remember catching it in the theater and being pretty disappointed.

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[–] charliekelly (1018) 5 years ago

Yeah, it's also the first we see of Luda's "Tej", who ends up being a fairly big side character like Tyrese's. Lucas Black's character even popped up in the last one that I watched. I should really give "Tokyo Drift" another viewing. I only saw it once.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 5 years ago

Oh yeah, I forgot about Ludacris, but you're right on that one too.

And yes, you should give Tokyo another look. It's my second favorite film in the franchise, by a rather wide margin. In fact, the original film and TD are probably the only two that I'd make a point to buy on Blu-Ray.

I know a lot of people either didn't pay attention to Tokyo Drift, or were critical of it, solely because it doesn't have the original cast. But people have to get over that. I ended up liking Lucas Black a lot and this is also where we get our introduction to Han. This film also probably has the best pure racing scenes in the whole franchise.

Speaking of Lucas Black, I remember hearing that he was "definitely" coming back for a significant role in Fast 7 and then it just didn't happen. I wonder why. I was really looking forward to his return, though in retrospect the last few movies I don't think have been particularly good, so maybe it doesn't matter.

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[–] charliekelly (1018) 5 years ago

Right, I forgot about Han.

That would have been good. I've always liked Lucas Black, ever since "Sling Blade", and always pulled for him since he's also from Alabama. Not many of us make it out haha.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 5 years ago

Friday Night Lights, Get Low and 42 were also good.

It's unfortunate that his career for the last six years has been nothing but NCIS. Other than his brief cameo in Fast 6, he hasn't made a movie since 2013.

I'm happy for him that he's secured a gig that pays him consistently, and that I guess has something of a fan base, but it's unfortunate that it's some network TV bullshit and that it seems to be getting in the way of his feature film career.

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[–] nufsaid16 (631) 6 months ago

He did come back for a cameo in the ninth Fast and the Furious flick, along with several other characters from Tokyo Drift----that was really nice and unexpected.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 10 months ago

I used to think this was the worst one, but after watching it again I realize I like it a lot better than the newer ones. It's a lot worse than the first one, sure, but at least the cars, music, actors, and storyline have more personality. At least it isn't completely dumb. Just dumb. Okay, it's still really dumb, but at least it's more entertaining and colorful, less bland.

I also like the introduction to some new characters we don't get to see in the first movie, like Tyrese and Suki. They're cool.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 10 months ago

It's super dumb. Also, the cars in the second one are overall not as cool as the cars in the first. For instance, Tyrese's purple Eclipse sucks compared to Brian's green Eclipse in the first film. The RX-7 and Supra are also cooler than anything in the second.

That said, I can understand liking the film more upon revisiting it. I had a similar experience about 10 years ago when I watched it a couple of times after having not seen it since the theater and I got some enjoyment out of it. Walker and Tyrese have fairly good chemistry together, Cole Hauser is a solid villain, and some of the humor lands ("Tell me what would a better motor for my Skyline, a Gallo 12 or a Gallo 24?"). But overall it's a massive step down from the first film.

In my opinion the first is still the best, followed by the highly underrated Tokyo Drift, and then Fast Five comes in at #3. The rest I can take or leave.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 10 months ago

What?! I thought the cars in the second movie were equally as cool, if not cooler than the first.

Yeah, second movie has it's moments for sure. Thought Paul Walker had good chemistry with everyone honestly. It was all downhill after he left, that's my personal view of the franchise. I thought Tokyo Drift was just okay, probably a little over hated.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 10 months ago

I definitely have way more love for the cars in the first film. I coveted the green Eclipse for more than a decade. In the second film, the Skyline is cool but I don't have much love for the rest.

I agree on Paul Walker. The way his life ended is a real shame. It's also a shame he tended to be cast in poor-to-middling films, with a few exceptions, of which The Fast and the Furious is one.

As for Tokyo Drift, I've always really liked it. Lucas Black is polarizing but when he was younger I thought he was cool. I like his Alabama accent and think he has charisma. And the Tokyo setting is unique, as well as the drifting element. Plus, this is the film that introduced Han.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

I love Tokyo Drift now.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

Ha. Oh yeah? What brought about this improved opinion on it?

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

Beautiful, shiny cars to look at and drift racing is awesome. Plus, a wonderful soundtrack that sets you in the mood.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

How do you feel about Lucas Black as the lead?

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

Love him (other than the fact that he's too old to be playing a teenager.) Didn't care for him at first but he's absolutely grown on me, now I'm watching all his films. Your thoughts?

Overall it's a feel good movie.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

I've always been a fan. If you haven't gotten to it yet, make sure to watch Get Low. That's an interesting movie where he got to work alongside Robert Duvall.

It's a shame that Hollywood only threw him a handful of big roles. I think his Alabama accent coupled with him being an outspoken Christian caused him to be overlooked by producers. While it did provide a steady paycheck, him spending much of the last several years on a rote network show like NCIS is a waste and a shame.

Glad you warmed up to Tokyo Drift. It's definitely a cool movie.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

Yeah, people gripe on his acting, but.... he's openly admitted that he likes just playing himself. (that isn't to say he lacks range.) they also seem to forget or don't know/care that he was already a well established child actor. Some people that say he acts "retarded" or "horrible" are way out of line. I think it's cool that he's a Christian, but maybe that's just because I'm a Christian myself.

I have not seen Get Low, but I will for sure get around to watching it.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

Ah, well hail fellow believer! I am also a Christian. Good to find another one on these boards.

I definitely appreciate Black's willingness to be out there with his faith and to put it first, even if it means he takes career hits. According to Scripture, every Christian is supposed to be this way.

He's definitely not a bad actor, just a peculiar one. You can't say his performance in Tokyo Drift, for instance, is bad. It's actually very natural and, at least in my opinion, he exudes a ton of charisma in that film.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

I looked at his instagram and all he posts about is fishing or his family, while praising God. Pretty wholesome to me.

He does fine in Tokyo Drift. He gets the job done. So far I've seen Friday Night Lights and All The Pretty Horses. I intend to watch Seven Days in Utopia, Promised Land,Cold Mountain, The War, and Sling Blade is up there on my list.

Legion seems way too dark for my taste, and I've tried Jarhead but I didn't get very far. It's just not my kind of movie, don't know if I'll finish it.

Actually, I think my mom did watch Get Low around me a few years ago, but I didn't really pay much attention to it. I've seen 42, but I'll have to watch it again because I don't remember his role at all. He's been in several critically acclaimed films.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

Cold Mountain is a great movie--I just watched it for the first time a couple of years ago and really liked it--but his role must be very small, because I don't even remember him in it.

It seems like I may have tried to watch Legion and thought it was kind of terrible, but I could be misremembering.

42 is a real good movie, but you probably don't remember him because he doesn't get a ton of screen time. His role is significant, but he's definitely a supporting character.

If you watch Get Low, I'd be curious to hear your take. However, I know you mentioned in another post that you are pretty young. Not sure how young you are, but that does make me wonder if you'd be able to connect to the rather adult themes of the film. I wasn't that old the first time I watched it though and thought it was pretty good.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

I figured his role in many of the films to be small. Still, they're ones I'm curious about watching anyways. It's too bad because Legion also has Tyrese in it. Of course the later FF movies turn them both into big ol' nerds (boooo.)

I am very young. I remember I had little desire to see it. I feel a little more inclined to watch Get Low now. I've seen films with adult messages, but sometimes I am skeptical of my understanding or enjoyment in my ability to relate to the themes. I give things a try, but I know not everything is worth my time.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

It sounds like you may be so young that you're still a minor. Well, try Get Low and see what you think. Just sitting here and talking about it, I am thinking it may be worth a re-watch on my part.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 9 months ago

I am not a minor, I'm 20; been using this site for years since I was a minor.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 9 months ago

Gotcha. So old enough then to appreciate some mature themes.

I rewatched Get Low last night. I guess that's the third time I've seen it. I enjoyed it quite a bit yet again and would say it's a one the few truly original movies I've seen.

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[–] nufsaid16 (631) 6 months ago

@primeministerx

Black was actually pretty good in Tokyo Drift, and like you said, he came off as very natural and appealing in the film. I remember reading some years ago that he did not want to get rid of his Southern accent for any film, which probably cost him some roles, and it seems like he really didn't have any real interest in being the next "big thing", which explains why he didn't blow up after that film. He left the NCIS show, which I liked, a few years back because he was beginning to feel that being on it took too much time from his family. I liked his character on the show, so it sucked to see his character get killed off---but that's how he wanted it. Tokyo Drift was pretty good, and I like how it didn't just stereotype its characters, and treated them like people.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8309) 6 months ago

I think I heard that before regarding his accent. While acting is fundamentally about pretending to be someone you're not, I can also appreciate that he wanted to be true to himself in that way.

As you may know, he's a Christian, and I've noticed lately that he's been appearing in some faith-based films. Just recently he had a role in a low-budget faith-based western called Birthright Outlaw. I actually watched it. I don't think it would appeal to non-Christians, and it's definitely not Tombstone or Unforgiven, but for what it was I enjoyed it well enough.

One film he made that I really enjoyed and think is underappreciated is Get Low. I'd love for him to land some more projects like that.

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[–] TandyMan (10395) 5 years ago

This is easily the worst and silliest and most pointless of the franchise. But it's also the most goofy and fun. This movie is a borderline parody. It's also very bright and colorful. It's really gorgeous.

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[–] Wuchak (8156) 5 years ago

It basically mixes the first movie with "Licence to Kill."

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[–] TandyMan (10395) 6 months ago

I highly recommend the film "If Looks Could Kill". 1991 with Richard Grieco. Who was almost a star once upon a time.

My love of this movie has only grown over the years. Because the series grew unnecessarily grim, because Paul Walker left us too soon, and because Roman Pearce isn't a punchline in this one, and I feel there's still a healthy respect for racing culture, this movie has really shined brighter the more of these turds they crank out.

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[–] punkrockgirl (1155) 10 months ago

Quality wise I'd say yes, it's worse, but you could also say it's more fun. The cars are frickin' awesome.

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[–] Porsche911 (2587) 9 months ago

I like both but find part 2 to be a tad more fun. Still holds up in 2023.

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[–] DancingintheDark (1271) 9 months ago

Not a fan of the second one, Tyrese comes off as a whiney man-child the entire film and as a whole it does nothing for me. I much prefer Tokyo Drift to 2 Fast 2 Furious.
All in all, the first one is my favorite in the series, it’s the one I keep going back to anyways.

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[–] andersonb85 (1598) 9 months ago

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