Slow, Savory, Laidback n Lazy

Fast and the Furious is one of those Film Franchises that might not have the highest objective quality, but the film’s cultural impact in the early 2000s catapulted cars and the tuning scene to the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. When I look back, it’s hard to place myself in the shoes of my own seven year old self. In a short span of twenty or so years the entire world changed. Looking at old movies, music, videos, and technology makes me feel appreciative nostalgia for a place and time I’ll never see again.

Fast and the Furious was about tuner cars, nitrious, and adrenaline-fueled action. Upon watching the film every kid wanted nitrous, a supra, and a Honda Civic low enough to traverse under Semis. After the film franchise, we got to experience some of that with the Need for Speed franchise. While kids were content with that, that small taste of octane turned into one of the cornerstones of my life. That stupid low-budget film would send me on a journey that landed me in Japan.

Watching the film now as an adult, it’s easier to be a little cynical about the stunts and all the incorrect information about cars. . . let alone the hundreds of shifts they pull during any sequence on the road. But much like how stories in videogames and why your character’s perform the shoot explody action hero stuff become more important, your relationship with Fast and the Furious Changes as you get older.

Fast and The Furious Lost Touch

While watching the most recent Fast films is entertaining in the way watching a train wreck is, the older films have a relatable charm in them. At it’s core Fast films are supposed to be about one thing . . . FAMILY. . . Oh come on you know the meme was coming at some point in time. Some of the best scenes in the Fast films aren’t the setpieces, but the ones of car people just hanging out, working on cars, or eating together. The word Family means a lot of things, but for me the Fast definition of “Family” reminds me of hanging out with my car buddies.

While I’ve never stolen electronics out of the back of a truck, my car friends and I have gotten into plenty of trouble doing some spirited driving. Sitting around at each other’s houses or at a pho place at 0200AM after some driving are some of my most cherished memories. Falling in love with cars, drifting, and driving put me on a fast track to japan. . . see what I did there.

20 Years Later

More than two decades after that film I find myself living out scenes I’ve seen in a film. Just driving to a spot where other car people bring their rides to hang out and eat together is surreal. In today’s world, we have social media, smartphones, and high-quality video recording right at our fingertips. And while it’s great for taking photos and working with models, a part of me wonders what it would have been like 20 years ago in the Import Car Scene.

At that time it was obscure internet forums, shakey VHS footage, film cameras, and magazines. My cousin had stories from underground street races, hot import nights, and secret meets that would take place if you met the right people. As convenient as our technology is I feel like something special was lost when social media invaded the car scene. Thanks to one of my favorite films I guess I have an idea of what it might have been like. . . minus the heisty stuff and all.

I’m just glad to be able to attend one of these meets myself.

Much Love <3
LaidbackMarco