2 Fast 2 Furious is an American action film directed by John Singleton. It is the second installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise. Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) teams up with his ex-con friend Roman Pearce (Tyrese) and works with undercover U.S. Customs Service agent Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes) to bring Miami-based drug lord Carter Verone (Cole Hauser) down.
Neither Vin Diesel nor director Rob Cohen returned for this film, as they worked on xXx at the time. Ja Rule, who also appeared in the first film, turned down negotiations to appear on this film to pursue other projects. Originally, Tej was to be played by Redman, however, because of schedule conflicts, the part was given to Ludacris.
The Skyline GT-R driven by Brian was actually Paul Walker’s personal car, which he himself customized for the film. It sustained a ruptured oil pan and severe damage on all four rims from the bridge jump, but in a matter of hours, the car was in good running condition with the parts replaced. He had personally chosen all the racing cars in the film. The stunt when Brian powerslided toward the crowd after winning the first race was actually performed by Paul Walker after convincing the producers that he could do the stunt himself and several days of practice before shooting.
After settling in Miami, Brian, now going by the street name ‘Bullitt’, makes a living by racing for money. Tej organizes a local street race, involving Suki (Devon Aoki), Orange Julius (Amaury Nolasco) and Slap Jack (Michael Ealy), and calls Brian who agrees to be the fourth driver for the race. Brian wins the race and receives the prize, although he gives a few thousand to Tej to show his gratitude. The police arrive at the scene, forcing all of the racers to flee.
While driving away, Brian is caught by U.S. Customs Service agents after his car is disabled by the grappling hook-like ESD (Electronic Disruption Device) deployed by U.S. Customs Service Agent Markham (James Remar). While in custody, his former boss, F.B.I. Agent Bilkins (Thom Barry), makes a deal with him: should he take part in a joint F.B.I.-Customs Service mission to bring down Carter Verone (Cole Hauser) a ruthless drug lord, his criminal record will be wiped clean. Brian accepts on the condition that he can choose a co-driver.
Brian and Bilkins travel to Barstow, California, where he persuades his childhood friend and ex-convict Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), to help him, in return for his record being cleaned and his house arrest being depleted. Their mission involves working undercover as street racers for Verone, with help from Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), an undercover U.S. Customs Service agent who Brian takes a liking to. Pearce and Brian win an “audition” race and are selected for Verone’s job, a money laundering run.
After witnessing Verone torture Detective Whitworth of the Miami P.D. into giving them a window of opportunity to make their getaway, Brian and Rome are warned by Fuentes that they will be killed once the drop is made. Markham refuses, claiming that this is a one time opportunity to catch Verone and threatens them with jail time if they refuse. Brian, knowing that the gung-ho Markham will blow their cover, makes a backup plan. The team challenges a pair of muscle drivers they raced earlier for pink slips. Despite the engine and power output handicaps, Brian and Rome manage to win the cars, while patching up their differences.
Directed by: John Singleton
Starring: Paul Walker, Eva Mendes, Tyrese Gibson, Amaury Nolasco, Devon Aoki, Ludacris, James Remar, Cole Hauser
Screenplay by: Michael Brandt
Cinematography by: Matthew F. Leonetti
Film Editing by: Bruce Cannon, Dallas Puett
Costume Design by: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Set Decoration by: Jon Danniells, Rick Simpson
Music by: Ludacris, Pitbull, David Arnold
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for street racing, violence, language and some sensuality.
Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: June 5. 2003
