As its latest explosive trailer lands on our doorstep, the question has to be asked...is this franchise running on empty?

So, after much speculation, it has been confirmed – we have yet another Fast & Furious remake to ‘look forward’ too. But are we really looking forward to it? The franchise is now approaching its ten year anniversary and, as it nears this eventful landmark, one cannot help but feel this may be one that should be left to die. Call me mad, but I personally feel that each sequel has succeeded in lowering the tone and dumbing down the content of each of its predecessors – so why should this be any different?

However, the facts remain clear. While The Fast and the Furious may not have been the most critically-acclaimed film of its time, it was certainly one of the most successful. In fact, such was its box office success that The Fast and the Furious grossed over $40 million in its opening weekend, a figure that represented a $2 million profit straight off the bat. As if that wasn’t enough, the film went on to gross $144.5 million and has, to date, produced three sequels with this fourth due for release on the 21st April 2011.

What the film brought, however, was a previously unspoken voice for the millions of hot-headed, juiced up youth of today. To the masses the film represented an original idea littered with clichéd ideologies; big boobs, small figures and muscle-clad males. Yet, to the automotive lovers amongst us, it brought attention to their hobby and a previously side-lined phenomenon; that of undergrounding drag racing.

However, after four films and Hollywood’s continuous need to suck a franchise dry, it is hard to see what message remains. In The Fast and the Furious a number of the characters were depicted as misunderstood individuals, constantly involved in the wrong things for all the right reasons. As such, the audience connected to the film on a number of levels, empathising with their plight whilst being drawn into its story through regular car chases and scandalously dressed individuals. Unfortunately, by the films fourth release its characters were stale, repetitive and, despite its obvious ‘reboot’ attempts, lacking of any real believability.

By the looks of this recent trailer, it would appear that the franchises transformation is now complete. As the ‘gang’ conspire to steal $10 million, it is hard to find any aspect with which to relate too; with the characters representing mere criminals as opposed to their once rough - but loveable – personas:

Conversely, there are moments in the trailer that do at least intrigue. For one, the opportunity to see Vin Diesel square off against the ‘people’s champion’, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is one that I personally cannot wait for. With Diesel’s 6ft, 200lb frame squaring up to Johnson’s 6ft 4”, 225lb build, you can be sure that – choreographed or not – that fight scene is going to be powerful. Furthermore, the film is believed to be accompanied by an estimated $100 million budget, so any action and/or fight scene is sure to be a loud, visually-appealing affair.

Maybe I’m being overly critical – it would certainly not be the first time this has happened – but I cannot see the appeal in yet another one of these films. The role has been done to death, and there is only so much testosterone and poor acting you can endure. Nevertheless, only time – and box office results – will tell, but rest assured this film is unlikely to receive a warm reception from critics.

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