The Best and Worst Movie Franchise

Kevin Baur | Editor

I have been enjoying movies for most of my life. Ever since I was a child my father has been watching films with me as a sort of bonding exercise. This has left me with an intense love for cinema, and there are many film franchises that I hold near and dear to my heart as I have been enjoying them for years and years.

One of the franchises that I love is “The Fast and the Furious.” My father showed me the first installment of this series when I was very young, and it completely fueled all the interest I have ever had in cars since. The first movie presents an interesting mix of car culture and crime that had me hooked from the start.

Of course, the series took off after the release of the original. And a few movies were added in good faith. However, with the fifth installment came a new penchant for the outrageous. It is important to note that elements of crime and ridiculous stunts have always been a part of this series, but after the fourth movie things reach another level of crazy.

One of the biggest criticisms that long time fans of the series have with the newer half of the franchise is that the movies are hardly about racing anymore. I believe that the end of the emphasis on racing took place at the same time the true outrageousness began, the fifth movie.

From the fifth movie to the most recent ninth installment, and undoubtedly the tenth and final iteration of the franchise, the stakes have been rising after every film. The threats that the characters face have gone from small-time crime to world-ending events. This is frustrating because I miss the simple street racing movies of the past. However, I still find it in myself to enjoy these new additions to one of my favorite franchises. They are still entertaining, just not the same.