2 Fast 2 Furious#Box office

Ex-LAPD officer Brian O'Conner has escaped to Miami and is in hiding, after aiding wanted felon Dominic Toretto in Los Angeles escape from authorities.{{Efn|As depicted in The Fast and the Furious (2001) and its connected short film The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)}} He makes a living by street racing, driving his 1999 Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R in events organized by his friend, mechanic Tej Parker. Brian is arrested following a race, but his former boss, FBI Special Agent Bilkins and Customs Enforcement Agent Markham offers a deal to clear his record in exchange for going undercover to help arrest drug lord Carter Verone. Brian agrees on the condition he choose his partner, deciding on his estranged childhood friend Roman Pearce. Initially, Roman distrusts Brian for being a cop and not preventing his own prior arrest, but nonetheless agrees to the same record-clearing deal.

Back in Miami, Customs Agent Monica Fuentes, who is undercover working for Verone, gets them an audience. After a test in which Brian and Roman beat six other drivers to retrieve a package from Verone's car in an impound lot, they get a job to bring a package to Verone in the Florida Keys. During the test, Markham believes they are fleeing, and nearly compromises their cover by meeting them at the lot. To prevent Markham from undermining the next job, Brian and Roman acquire a 1969 Yenko Camaro SYC and 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in a pink slip race from two of the drivers who lost Verone's test.

At a nightclub, Verone tortures corrupt MPD Detective Whitworth into giving the men a window to make their getaway. Verone then threatens Monica, whom he saw speaking affectionately to Brian earlier at the club. Brian and Roman revisit Tej and his crew, and they arrange a diversion during their drive to the Keys. One morning, Brian wakes up to find Monica in his house. She warns him that the drop will take place in an airfield and that Verone intends to kill them once it is complete. Enrique and Roberto arrive, looking for her, and a confrontation ensues before Verone arrives to defuse the situation, with Monica escaping beforehand.

On the day of the job, Brian and Roman split the money between their cars and leave. Whitworth eventually sends in the Miami police department, and a chase ensues. The pair lead the police to a warehouse where a scramble organized by Tej causes chaos. Brian and Roman elude the police in the muscle cars, while Tej and Suki, another street racer, are detained driving the GPS-tagged vehicles to lead the cops away. As Brian approaches the airfield, Enrique orders him to detour to a marina. At the same time, Roman ejects Roberto from his car with an improvised ejector seat using nitrous oxide. At the airfield, Customs surround the plane but realize they have been duped. At the marina, Verone reveals he was aware he was under surveillance and gave Monica false information. Verone orders Brian killed, and Monica onto his private yacht, intending to use her as leverage. Before Enrique can kill Brian, Roman arrives, and the pair incapacitate him. Verone flees aboard the yacht, but is intercepted when Brian drives the Yenko off of a ramp and crashes into the deck. Brian, Roman, and Monica incapacitate and subdue Verone.

Their deal upheld, Markham clears Brian and Roman's record, and Roman hands over Verone's cash. Brian and Roman agree to stay in Miami, and they decide to open a garage together, funded by a cut of the cash they secretly kept for themselves.

{{main|List of Fast & Furious cast members|List of Fast & Furious characters}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner: A former LAPD police officer who became a fugitive after letting Dominic Toretto escape in the previous film and has now settled in Miami. He drives a 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR R34 and a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII.
• Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce: Brian's childhood friend who is on house arrest after serving time in prison, for which he still blames Brian. He drives a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GTS.
• Eva Mendes as Monica Fuentes: A U.S. Customs agent working undercover as Carter Verone's aide and Brian's love interest.
• Cole Hauser as Carter Verone: A ruthless drug lord whose organization the Customs Service sent Monica and later Brian and Roman to infiltrate.
• Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Tej Parker: A race host and a friend of Brian. He arranges high stakes street racing events.
• James Remar as Agent Markham: A U.S. customs agent in charge of the operation against Verone; Monica's superior.
• Devon Aoki as Suki: A friend of Brian, Tej, and Jimmy. She is the only named female racer in the movie, and her crew is made up entirely of women. She normally drives a hot pink custom Honda S2000.
• Thom Barry as Agent Bilkins: An FBI agent reprising his role from the first film. He acts as Brian's handler for his undercover operations.
• Edward Finlay as Agent Dunn: A U.S. Customs agent who is Markham's number two in the operation.
• Mark Boone Junior as Detective Whitworth: A Miami detective who is forced by Verone to give Pearce and O'Conner a window to deliver his package.
• Mo Gallini as Enrique: Verone's bald henchman.
• Roberto Sanchez as Roberto: Verone's henchman and Enrique's partner.
• MC Jin as Jimmy: A mechanic who works for Tej and is a close friend of Brian.
• Amaury Nolasco as Orange Julius: A street racer who drives an orange Mazda RX-7.
• Michael Ealy as Slap Jack: A street racer who drives a gold Toyota Supra.
• John Cenatiempo as Korpi: A street racer who drives a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko S/C.
• Eric Etebari as Darden: Korpi's friend who drives a 1970 Dodge Challenger.
• Neal H. Moritz as a Police Officer: The film's producer, Moritz makes a cameo appearance as a police officer during a chase scene.

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{{quote box|quote=Because of the incredible response to The Fast and the Furious, we knew we had struck a chord with young audiences. I believe we had tapped into a culture—the very urban world of street racing. It really resonated with our fans, who continued to support the film when it hit the streets on DVD and video—I mean, it really just exploded again, allowing even more people a chance to take the ride. We knew they were ready for another film, but only if we delivered one with the same authenticity and edge as the first. Well, we've done just that.|source= —Producer Neal H. Moritz, on greenlighting the project sequel.{{cite news|url=http://www.contactmusic.net/2-fast-2-furious/music/2fast2furiousx10x06x03|title=2 Fast 2 Furious - Production Notes Page 2 (About the Production)|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Contactmusic.com|publisher=Universal Pictures|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729141204/http://www.contactmusic.net/2-fast-2-furious/music/2fast2furiousx10x06x03|url-status=dead}}|width=35%|}}

Plans to make a sequel came about after the box office success of The Fast and the Furious, which grossed over $200 million worldwide.{{cite news|last1=Jagernauth|first1=Kevin|title=Rob Cohen Offers xXx Update, Wants To Direct Fast And Furious Again|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/rob-cohen-hated-the-first-two-fast-furious-sequels-because-they-were-just-done-for-the-money-250959/|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=IndieWire|date=October 8, 2012|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729135912/http://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/rob-cohen-hated-the-first-two-fast-furious-sequels-because-they-were-just-done-for-the-money-250959/|url-status=live}} John Singleton had seen the first film and was awed by it, saying: "When I saw The Fast and the Furious, I was like, 'Damn, why didn't I think of that?' Growing up in South Central L.A., we had street races all the time." Singleton's rave reaction of the film as well as the culture of street racing in general influenced his decision to direct the sequel. The director also claimed that the concept of street racing could be something young audiences can relate to.

The screenplay was written by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, along with Gary Scott Thompson (the co-writer from the first film).{{cite magazine |last=Scwarzbaum |first=Lisa |title=2 Fast 2 Furious |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/13/2-fast-2-furious-2/ |access-date=July 21, 2017 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 13, 2003 }} There were two film treatments submitted early on, one of which did not involve Vin Diesel's character in the event the actor would not return for the sequel.{{cite news |last=Travis |first=Ben |title=Catching up with the Fast & Furious: a complete guide to the movies so far|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/fast-furious-movies-guide-stunts-cast-story-far/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/fast-furious-movies-guide-stunts-cast-story-far/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=March 27, 2017}}{{cbignore}} Singleton credited Top Gun as a major influence for the film, particularly with regard to the action sequences.{{cite news |last=Chitwood |first=Scott |title=John Singleton on 2 Fast 2 Furious |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/190-john-singleton-on-2-fast-2-furious |access-date=July 21, 2017 |work=ComingSoon.net |publisher=CraveOnline |date=June 6, 2013 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605173350/https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/190-john-singleton-on-2-fast-2-furious |url-status=live }}

File:PaulWalkerEdit-1.jpg returned as Brian O'Conner in 2 Fast 2 Furious.]]

Vin Diesel was offered $25 million to return in the sequel as Dominic Toretto. However, he refused after reading the screenplay as he felt that its potential was inferior compared to that of its predecessor; rather, he chose to appear in The Chronicles of Riddick instead. According to Variety magazine in 2015 he was less taken with what the screenwriters had in mind for the film, "They didn't take a Francis Ford Coppola approach to it. They approached it like they did sequels in the '80s and '90s, when they would drum up a new story unrelated for the most part, and slap the same name on it."{{cite news|last1=Setoodeh|first1=Ramin|title=Vin Diesel: A 'Furious' Mind|url=http://feature.variety.com/vin-diesel-a-furious-mind/|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Variety|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805124408/http://feature.variety.com/vin-diesel-a-furious-mind/|url-status=live}} However, Diesel reflected on his decision in a July 2014 report from Uproxx, saying: "I would've said, 'Don't walk away from it just because the script sucked in 2 Fast 2 Furious because there's an obligation to the audience to fight, no matter what, to make that film as good as possible.' ... I might have had a little bit more patience or belief in the long-term of it."{{cite news|last1=Stice|first1=Joel|title=Why Vin Diesel Turned Down 2 Fast 2 Furious And Six Other Popular Roles|url=http://uproxx.com/up/vin-diesel-2-fast-2-furious-movie-roles/|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Uproxx|publisher=Woven Digital|date=July 18, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720180302/http://uproxx.com/up/vin-diesel-2-fast-2-furious-movie-roles/|url-status=live}}

Paul Walker, who had just finished Timeline at the time, reprised his role in the second picture as Brian O'Conner. Tyrese Gibson, then known mononymously as Tyrese, also became a part of the cast having previously acted in Singleton's Baby Boy, which was the singer's feature film acting debut; he portrayed Roman Pearce.{{cite news|title=2 Fast 2 Furious - Production Notes (About the Cast)|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/pages/2fast2furiouscastx10x06x03|access-date=July 21, 2017|website=Contactmusic.com|publisher=Universal Pictures|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729132826/http://www.contactmusic.com/pages/2fast2furiouscastx10x06x03|url-status=live}} Ja Rule, another prominent rap artist who appeared in The Fast and the Furious as Edwin, was originally tapped to reprise his role. Ja Rule was offered $500,000 for the role, which was more than what he had been paid to appear in The Fast and the Furious, $15,000. According to Singleton, "Ja got too big for himself. He turned it down. He turned down a half a million dollars. ... He was acting like he was too big to be in the sequel. He wouldn't return calls." Ja Rule later stated in an interview in 2021 that he was already obligated to go on tour at the time after Vin Diesel and Rob Cohen both declined to be in the movie. Ja Rule had to make the decision: to take the half a million dollars for the second Fast and Furious film or thirteen to fourteen million dollars on tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjEz4GZCUr4|title=Ja Rule On Why He Left Fast & Furious After John Singleton Took Over|website=YouTube |date=December 18, 2021 }}

The character of Tej Parker was then created, at first with Redman in mind, however, when Redman also had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with his own show Method & Red,{{Cite news |date=2015-03-29 |title=2 Fast 2 Furious review - fun, but shallow sequel - Lyles Movie Files |url=https://lylesmoviefiles.com/2015/03/29/2-fast-2-furious-review-fun-but-shallow-sequel/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241218153823/https://lylesmoviefiles.com/2015/03/29/2-fast-2-furious-review-fun-but-shallow-sequel/ |archive-date=2024-12-18 |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=Lyles Movie Files |language=en-US}} the director then hired Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as a substitute. Bridges would later rise to prominence for appearing in the film and star in later films such as Crash and Hustle & Flow.{{cite news|last=Pruner|first=Aaron|title=How Ja Rule Turning Down 2 Fast 2 Furious Helped Launch Ludacris As A Star|url=http://uproxx.com/movies/how-ja-rule-turning-down-2-fast-2-furious-helped-launch-ludacris-as-a-star/|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Uproxx|publisher=Woven Digital|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714134450/http://uproxx.com/movies/how-ja-rule-turning-down-2-fast-2-furious-helped-launch-ludacris-as-a-star/|url-status=live}} Additional cast also included Cole Hauser as key villain Carter Verone, who appeared in Singleton's Higher Learning; Eva Mendes as undercover agent Monica Fuentes; and Devon Aoki as Suki, the sole female driver in the film.

Principal photography began in the fall of 2002, and Matthew F. Leonetti served as the director of photography.{{cite news|title=2 Fast 2 Furious Production Notes - The Cars|url=http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=2113#|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Cinemareview.com|publisher=Universal Studios|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729133550/http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=2113|archive-date=July 29, 2017|url-status=dead}} Filming was done mostly in various parts of South Florida such as Miami Beach, Seven Mile Bridge, and Homestead Air Reserve Base.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Michael E.|title=Best and Worst Movies Shot in Miami Beach, From Scarface to Sly Stallone's The Specialist|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/best-and-worst-movies-shot-in-miami-beach-from-scarface-to-sly-stallones-the-specialist-6553280|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Miami New Times|publisher=Voice Media Group|date=November 16, 2012|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729133626/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/best-and-worst-movies-shot-in-miami-beach-from-scarface-to-sly-stallones-the-specialist-6553280|url-status=live}} Hauser's character's mansion was shot in Coral Gables, in a house owned by Sylvester Stallone. At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 2 Fast 2 Furious was filmed on one side, while Bad Boys II was filmed on the other side at the same time.{{cite web|url=https://bashful269.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/things-you-never-noticed-in-4-bad-boys-ii/|title=Things You Never Noticed In #4: Bad Boys II|date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=May 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516051207/https://bashful269.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/things-you-never-noticed-in-4-bad-boys-ii/|url-status=live}}{{Better source needed|date=May 2023}}

A car enthusiast himself, Walker drove a Nissan Skyline GT-R model R34 borrowed from the film's Technical Advisor, Craig Lieberman, in the film's opening scenes.{{cite news |last=Lieberman |first=Craig |title=Crashing Cars: How Universal Turned It Into An Art |work=Complex |date=June 16, 2017 |isbn=978-1548163587 }} Aoki did not have a driver's license or any driving experience prior to the film's production, and took driving lessons during filming;{{cite web |url=http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=39181&cat=1038&pg=2&testcook |title=Devon Aoki: Racer Chick |work=Teen Hollywood |date=June 6, 2003 |last=Barker |first=Lynn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603014009/http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=39181&cat=1038&pg=2&testcook |archive-date=June 3, 2008 }} she drove a pink 2001 Honda S2000 AP1 in the film. Gibson drove a convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, while Michael Ealy drove a Toyota Supra Turbo MkIV model JZA80 that had been used by Walker in The Fast and the Furious.

{{Main|2 Fast 2 Furious (soundtrack){{!}}2 Fast 2 Furious (soundtrack)}}

The musical score was composed by David Arnold. The soundtrack was released on May 27, 2003 on Def Jam Recordings, the same record label that Ludacris was signed to.

2 Fast 2 Furious premiered at the Universal Amphitheatre on June 3, 2003.{{Cite web |title=Actors Tyrese, Paul Walker, producer Neal Moritz and Universals Scott... |date=June 4, 2003 |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actors-tyrese-paul-walker-producer-neal-moritz-and-news-photo/2054485 |access-date=2023-08-26 |publisher=Getty Images}} The short film The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious was released before select screenings and on special edition home releases of the first film.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-03 |title=The Entire 'Fast & Furious' Franchise Explained: Every Film, Spinoff, and TV Show |url=https://collider.com/fast-and-furious-movies-franchise/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Collider}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/UNIVERSAL+UNVEILS+%22THE+FAST+AND+THE+FURIOUS+TRICKED+OUT%22.-a0101853767|title=UNIVERSAL UNVEILS "THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS TRICKED OUT".}} It was then released to theaters in the United States on June 6, 2003.

2 Fast 2 Furious was released on DVD and VHS on September 30, 2003.{{cite web|last=Patrizio|first=Andy|title=2 Fast, 3 Menus on 9/30|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/11/2-fast-3-menus-on-930|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 8, 2023|date=August 11, 2003|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408172235/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/11/2-fast-3-menus-on-930|url-status=live}} It was later released on Blu-ray on March 24, 2009 and 4K Ultra-HD on October 2, 2018.

A mobile game was released in 2004 by Digital Bridges.{{cite web |title=2 Fast 2 Furious Mobile |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/26/2-fast-2-furious-mobile?amp=1 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=4 October 2023 |date=26 October 2004}}

2 Fast 2 Furious earned $52.1 million in its U.S. opening in 3,408 theaters, ranking first for the weekend above Finding Nemo.{{Cite news |last=DiOrio |first=Carl |date=June 8, 2003 |title=Hot wheels squish fish |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/hot-wheels-squish-fish-1117887556/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408190537/https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/hot-wheels-squish-fish-1117887556/ |url-status=live }} The film went on to score the fourth-highest June opening weekend, behind Batman Forever, Scooby-Doo and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.{{cite web|url=https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/fyi/furious-too-fast-for-nemo-at-box-office/101-384272654|title='Furious' too fast for 'Nemo' at box office|date=June 8, 2003 }} This was also one of three consecutive Universal films of 2003 to make an opening weekend above $50 million, with the others being Bruce Almighty and Hulk.{{Cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=June 22, 2003 |title=Green meanie's no weenie |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/green-meanie-s-no-weenie-1117888287/ |access-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730203126/https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/green-meanie-s-no-weenie-1117888287/ |url-status=live }} Furthermore, the film suprassed Shaft to have the highest opening weekend for a John Singleton film and XXX to have the biggest opening weekend for a Neal H. Moritz film respectively. During its second weekend, it fell behind Finding Nemo, making $19.1 million.{{Cite web|title=Audiences Find 'Nemo'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/audiences-find-nemo/|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=March 11, 2023|work=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207143408/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/audiences-find-nemo/|url-status=live}} Throughout its 133 days in release, the film reached a peak release of 3,418 theaters in the U.S. and earned $127.2 million in domestically. The film had the 15th largest US gross of 2003 and the 16th largest worldwide gross of 2003; combined with the international gross of $109.2 million, the film earned $236.4 million worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=2fast2furious.htm |title=2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504001250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=2fast2furious.htm |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=live }}

{{Anchor|Critics|Reception}}

On Rotten Tomatoes, 2 Fast 2 Furious has an approval rating of 37% based on 160 reviews and an average rating of 4.80/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Beautiful people and beautiful cars in a movie that won't tax the brain cells."{{cite web | title = 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/2_fast_2_furious/ | work = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = March 7, 2025 | archive-date = May 22, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522045507/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/2_fast_2_furious/ | url-status = live }} On Metacritic it has a weighted average score of 38 out of 100 based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.{{cite web |title=2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/2-fast-2-furious |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019114231/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/2-fast-2-furious |url-status=live }} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on scale of A+ to F.{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, THE (2006) A- |work= CinemaScore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= December 20, 2018 }}

Todd McCarthy of Variety magazine wrote: "While this John Singleton-directed sequel provides a breezy enough joyride, it lacks the unassuming freshness and appealing neighborhood feel of the economy-priced original."{{cite web |date=June 6, 2003 |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |author-link=Todd McCarthy |title=2 Fast 2 Furious |url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117920949 |website=Variety }}

Scott Tobias of The A.V. Club wrote: "Singleton abandons the underground racing subculture that gave the first film its allure, relying instead on lazy thriller plotting that's only a bag of donuts and a freeze-frame away from the average TV cop show."{{cite web |title=2 Fast 2 Furious |url=https://www.avclub.com/2-fast-2-furious-1798198719 |website=The A.V. Club |date=June 10, 2003 |access-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124104909/https://film.avclub.com/2-fast-2-furious-1798198719 |url-status=live }} USA Today{{'}}s Mike Clark gave film 2 out of 4, and wrote "The movie is all about racing, and character be damned, though the still dazed-looking Walker and Tyrese finally get a little rapport going after a worn-out story's very rocky start." He concludes "Lack of pretension helps the viewer get over the fact that this is just another retread."{{cite web |title=USATODAY.com - '2 Fast' is 2 dopey, and that's 2 bad |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-06-05-fast_x.htm |website=Usatoday.com |access-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925052002/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-06-05-fast_x.htm |url-status=live }} Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 out of 4 and said, "It doesn't have a brain in its head, but it's made with skill and style and, boy, it is fast and furious."{{cite news |date=June 6, 2003 |author=Roger Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=2 Fast 2 Furious |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/2-fast-2-furious-2003 |access-date=June 16, 2009 |archive-date=April 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427005556/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/2-fast-2-furious-2003 |url-status=live }} In 2018, Derek Lawrence of the Entertainment Weekly called it "the forgotten Fast and Furious gem" and praised the chemistry between Walker and Gibson and John Singleton's direction.{{cite magazine |date= June 6, 2018 |author= Derek Lawrence |title=2 Fast 2 Underrated: An argument for the forgotten 'Fast & Furious' gem |url=http://ew.com/movies/2018/06/06/2-fast-2-furious-15th-anniversary/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly }} In his Vulture piece, Bilge Eberi defends 2 Fast 2 Furious as an underrated entry in Singleton’s career. Beneath its flashy exterior, the film is filled with simmering mistrust and personal grudges, turning typical action tropes into something more authentic. Eberi highlights moments of unexpected tenderness and camaraderie, like the playful joy during a car chase, showing Singleton’s unique ability to add depth even to a seemingly second-rate action flick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/john-singleton-s-best-movies-beyond-boyz-n-the-hood.html|title=When It Comes to John Singleton, Don't Forget Poetic Justice and 2Fast 2Furious|first=Bilge|last=Ebiri|date=April 30, 2019|website=Vulture|access-date=April 12, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412005132/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/john-singleton-s-best-movies-beyond-boyz-n-the-hood.html|url-status=live}}

In 2014, John Singleton said: "It was awesome. The heads of the studio at the time were just like, just make it fun, make it cool, make it this gen." He also added, "I didn’t do all that techno music that they did in the first movie. I used nothing but Southern Hip Hop which was like the rage at the time. I just funked it up, I made it more multi-ethnic." He also reflected on Paul Walker’s role: "Paul [Walker] is going to be edgy. He’s going to be more like a bad boy. That was the film where he was the star." On the experience itself, Singleton said, "It was a real fun experience. I got a chance to spend a year in Miami working on a multi-million dollar movie."{{cite news |author=Tim Appelo |title=John Singleton Says Studios 'Ain't Letting Black People Tell Stories,' Unveils Tupac Biopic Plans (Video) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/john-singleton-says-studios-aint-690486/ |access-date=December 18, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 24, 2014 |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125033727/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/john-singleton-says-studios-aint-690486/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift{{!}}The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift}}

After failing to secure the returns of Diesel, Walker, or any other member of the original cast, Universal ordered a standalone sequel, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Moritz returned and hired director Justin Lin, who directed several subsequent installments in the series.{{cite web | last= Lawrence |first= Derek |title=Vin Diesel Was Originally Eyed to Star in 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' |url= https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/11/vin-diesel-fast-furious-tokyo-drift-chris-morgan/ |website=EW.com |access-date= 24 August 2019 |date=April 11, 2017}}

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Category:2003 films

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