Fast & Furious:
I have to admit, I liked the first movie in this series. Really liked it. It didn’t make me want to trick out a car and start racing, but I felt it was a well crafted film and worth watching. The second one… not so much. As for Tokyo Drift, well, I’ve never really enjoyed when a series gets to the point where no one from the original is involved. Its like those direct to DVD movies that were filmed to stand alone, but once it became clear that it wasn’t going to the theater the studio decides it will sell better if its “Urban Commando 5: Rough Water” rather than just “Rough Water”.
So the tag line for this film, “New Model, Original Parts”, was just pure genius. Its clearly aimed at people like me. People who wanted to see “The Fast and The Furious 2” instead of “2 Fast 2 Furious”.
And having said all that, the movie delivers. Â The only thing the movie fails at is making the timeline clear. Â Even now, I’m still unsure of exactly how much time has passed since the first film. Â Other than that, though, Fast & Furious rocks. Â Its got the fast cars, the hot chicks, the adrenaline pumping races and chases. Â If you liked any of the previous entries in this series, you’ll like the fourth installment as well.
Adventureland:
Growing up, I knew a few people who’d get those summer jobs working at the local theme park. Being in Atlanta, we have Six Flags and White Water. They loved those jobs… and they hated them too.  I never worked one myself, but sometimes wish I had.
Anyway… this movie, in my opinion, suffers from the same problem many many movies do: bad advertising. Â The commercials for Adventureland emphasize that its “from the Director of Superbad” and it has upbeat music and lots of funny lines, but the reality of the movie is different. Â Its not anywhere near as crazy or foul as Superbad, and while it is funny at times, its also a story about a guy whose post college plans fall apart and him trying to figure out how to get what he wants, all while falling in love. Â This movie is less Superbad and more Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
That said, I really enjoyed it. Â As always, managed expectations are important, so if you go with the right attitude I think you’ll like this one, if its something you like. Â But go in expecting a profanity filled “dick & fart” joke-fest and I think you’ll be disappointed.