Who knew that this guilty pleasure thrill ride would start a high-octane action-adventure franchise of five installments (and counting)? The first chapter in this shameless (and, let's face it, extremely well-made) ode to hot cars and hot women features Vin Diesel as an L.A. street racer who's also masterminding a series of daring hijackings; Paul Walker is the undercover cop (sure, why not?) who falls under the seductive spell of his quarry's adrenaline-fueled lifestyle (and sexy sister, played by Jordana Brewster). Meanwhile, Michelle Rodriguez scowls a lot as only she can. Forgive The Fast and the Furious its shortcomings (and boy, does it have a few) and just buckle up and go, go, go.
