Critical and Curious

Keanu Reeves capitulated into Hollywood in the early 1990s with Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994). These two roles established him squarely and a thoughtful action hero. We discuss the psychological backstory in Point Break and the lack of in Speed, the evolution of Keanu's Everyman, and the metaphor of Los Angeles on screen.

Keanu Reeves was introduced to the American public consciousness with Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) and My Own Private Idaho (1991). Both buddy films, Keanu simultaneously demonstrates an acting range and a consistent presence that has defined him for 30 years. We discuss the American Dream, healthy male-male relationships, and Keanu's ability to draw on the audience's underestimation.

The final film in the series, Fate of the Furious starts in Cuba on Dom and Letty's honeymoon and ends in New York City with the next generation of family. In our final discussion, we talk about the redemption of the Shaw family, Cipher, the first female villain in the series, and the comedic gravitas of Rome and Hobbs. We also discuss possible spinoffs to keep the family going.

Watch the Trailer for Fate of the Furious (2017)

We discuss the seventh film in the franchise, the first film post-Justin Lin, the last to feature Paul Walker, and the theme of of shadows and ghosts. Directed by James Wan and on the other narrative side of Tokyo Drift, we also speculate on possible additions to the family.

Watch the Trailer for Furious 7 (2015)

In this installment of the conversation we talk about the franchise's transition to absurd, over-the-top, 1980s television, from the opening credits to the oldest soap opera trick in the book: amnesia. We also talk about the representation of villains in the movies and Shaw's analysis of Dom's "code." We also talk about our own codes.

Watch the Trailer for Fast & Furious 6 (2013)

The fifth discussion addresses the evolution of the franchise as the family comes together in Rio. We talk about the self-awareness of the franchise as well as the representation of Brazil, fatherhood, and the introduction of Hobbs as Dom's even twin. We also talk about which actors or actresses we would like to see join the franchise.

Watch the Trailer for Fast 5 (2011)

In the fourth installment, we discuss the franchise's transition to the revenge film genre, the biblical references in Letty's resurrection as an automobile, and Dom's embodiment of the Lone Ranger as his Charger rears for battle. We also talk about the short film, Los Bandoleros (2009), the prequel to Fast & Furious released a few months after the film, and we suggest cities for future Fast and Furious movies.

Watch the Trailer for Fast & Furious (2009)

In the third conversation, we discuss the visualization of Tokyo, the inescapable concept of a gaijin, and the way class privilege manifests in the series. As the first of four films in the franchise directed by Justin Lin, we talk about the film as a symbol of stories to come. We also answer the question: When have you felt like a gaijin?

Watch the Trailer for The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

In the second installment, we talk about what John Singleton brings to the franchise, diverse representations of Black masculinity in Rome and Tej, and Brian's trip east from LA to Miami in the 2 Fast 2 Furious Turbo Charged Prelude (2003). Profs L'Pree and Thompson also answer the question: Who is your Roman Pierce?

Watch the Trailer for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

In the first discussion, we explore what makes the Fast and Furious franchise so endearing, including automotive ballet and bromances, the lack of the "damsel in distress," and Racer X, the inspirational 1998 article from VIBE Magazine. We also answer the question: What was your first car?

Watch the Trailer for The Fast and The Furious (2001)