Sam 0:00 Tessa, what do you do when nine days of Fast and Furious just isn't enough? Unknown Speaker 0:05 Make another episode. Sam 0:07 This is the nine days of fast and furious. Welcome to the not 10 days of Fast and Furious monkey on my backlogs first limited series. We're back for a 10th episode because we just couldn't stop talking, which I guess is a good thing when you're podcasting. I'm your host, Sam Morrison with me or Tessa Swehla and Megan spell. Here's the rest of our conversation that began in yesterday's episode about Hobson Shaw. Tessa 0:43 All right, so let's let's talk a little bit since this is our final episode, let's talk about the franchise as a whole. So again, we can talk about the whole thing. Now, this was the first time I had seen any of these movies, I can definitely see a trajectory where it sort of goes all the way up. And then and then the last two, I mean, like, eight is not my favorite. As I mentioned, I think it has a lot of really good parts to it, but it is not as good of a film as some of the the mid one. So I'm, I'm curious about that. And the spin off is obviously as we've just mentioned, not as good so I can definitely see a trajectory as far as the film's go, but overall, much better than I thought they had any right to be and I think especially looking back now, like you said Megan early earlier, I think the telenovela storyline, the plotline is really what keeps this anchored in some ways, even though they have Americanized it even though they have played with it quite a bit and they've balanced that earnestness with that playfulness. I think that the fact that they're bringing in dominance brother in the next movie, which is john cena, with a moustache basically, Unknown Speaker 1:55 on the second day cast john, Xena, my Vin Diesel's brother. Tessa 2:02 I think the telenovela thing is really important. And I did not know that going into this, I really didn't know that that was going to be an element that was so integral to the success of these movies. What what are some of your thoughts, Megan? Unknown Speaker 2:14 Yeah, well, I agree. 100%. And I mean, my second favorite fast movie is seven. And that's purely hinges on that final scene there with the, you know, song and I'm driving off for one last race. I mean, I like cried like a baby. And I didn't know even as I even as a fast and furious fan didn't know that I was going to be that impact by a fast and furious movie, which is silly, but, and Vin Diesel is reciting that like basically a poem that he actually wrote for Paul Walker. And it's like, really emotional for me. And I'm like, it's I don't know, like, when you talk about how some of the cast didn't like that, you know, Shaw was joining the team, because he killed Han. And I'm like, that core cast, like, as much as it seems ridiculous, because like, it's a movie. Like they understand what we how we feel, though. And they're like, the fans want won't like that. we team up with him? And I'm like, correct. I won't like and I understand. Jason Statham is a very entertaining actor loved him and spy, but he killed Han. And so get him out of here. Tessa 3:32 Yeah, I think that this is it's interesting that these people are as invested in the fandom as they are like, because there is a really young like I said, before we started all this I, I feel like there is a big stereotype and it's a stereotype that I definitely held for a long time that this is just like a hyper masculine, dumb, you know, let's just do dumb things in cars types of type of movie and they do hypermasculine dumb things in cars, they do that. But like the fact that all these actors bring like 100% to their roles, like they really understand how and how to invest I guess, like both both talent and themselves in these roles, and I think that's what makes it work especially Vin Diesel. Unknown Speaker 4:17 Yeah, and I think also like this is like Vin Diesel is like, basically like heart and soul of what he works on nowadays. And I mean, you know, when Paul Walker was alive and working this was like the main thing that he did this is the main thing that almost everyone in this series is known for, except for like the rock and Jason Statham so when you introduce those characters, you're like, the stakes aren't the same for them and you feel it from the others. This is like their baby and the rocks here for a weekend you know, like, so it's just a little different. The Rock can hop back out and go film Jumanji or, you know, I don't know what else rock is working on. rampage was a bad movie, but Like, this is like, Vin is invested in this. He's a producer, this is his child. And I think a lot about like, when you watch, you know, Tokyo Drift, and Vince shows up at the end. And I'm like, I didn't know, I cared so much about Vin, but He's here. He's here in Tokyo, this is amazing. And that's when you're kind of like, Okay, and then they pivot and like trying to change the whole trajectory of the whole thing. And you're like, yes, you're listening, you understand. And so I think I ate is probably, like, I I like a lot of stuff about the Fast Furious franchise. So there are things about eight that I enjoy, but it's, for me, one of the lesser ones, because I feel like it's they're kind of starting to, you know, act more in a machine where they're thinking about this as a product and less about it as like Fast and Furious. And what we want to see in a fast and furious movie. Tessa 5:57 Yeah, I could definitely see that. And I think also, I mean, we've talked a lot about the shifting roles of women over the course of this series, the female characters, especially, and people like Michelle Rodriguez have really flot to be a part of this franchise in the way that she is now. And so it does feel like even though I like the some of the earlier movies, it really feels like she has, she has had to fight more for this franchise, like just to be a part of it just to be a central character in it just to do all the cool stuff that like really, really cool action stuff that she gets to do a lot more than any of the other characters as well. Unknown Speaker 6:33 And I would really love like I think, you know, if they were to bring back like Eva Mendez, I think that'd be really fun and interesting. Um, I, you know, I'm, you know, I like almost all the characters that have been here from like the beginning. Obviously, Gaga is pretty busy these days. So I understand that she has a lot more going on. But I just I was a silly person who is sitting in my office don't tell my boss, the day that they were announcing the Fast and Furious trailer. And I watched like that ridiculous concert that was like, held in Miami, like a month before the pandemic started, and was like, oh, man, I can't wait for them to release the trailer. And then when they released the trailer, and you saw honchos coming back and then he walked out on the stage. I mean, I was in my office, and I was like, yelling at people down the hall. Mike Han's alive I knew it. I'm really cool to work with so. Sam 7:31 So. So you just you just did a two out of three. So I have to invoke the third one. So we have the nobody know Death Squad. Right? We have Han, we have GSL galgut dots character, but we also have Elena. Play bit Elsa pataky. Yes, nobody knows. I know. We're supposed to think she also Unknown Speaker 7:57 Pataki. I think we could get her. You know, like, I'm not sure we could get gouged on his days. I think we could get super tacky, nothing against her very talented in these in these movies. But I think they won't bring her back because it complicates this stuff with Vin and laddie, you know, and like we do, you kind of want the complication. But you also want to know in your heart that it's all gonna work out and like, you know, no one's actually going to get their heart broken. And we're kind of late in the series to, to add in like a true love triangle. You Tessa 8:33 can cut this out, because I've already mentioned it on a previous episode. But in fast seven, talk about all the best, the best. Unknown Speaker 8:41 Everything we say Tessa 8:42 best line that Vin Diesel has, like, besides maybe some of the stuff about Paul Walker just because of Paul Walker, but like besides all that the best line in the entire series is in Finn, yes. 777 with Jason Tatum, okay. It's in seven, where she gets where it gets all of her memories back. And she says, like, Why didn't you tell me that we were married. And DOM is like, because you can't tell someone that they love you. And it's just like the best line like I was just like, that's it. We're like that. Like, Unknown Speaker 9:15 they don't have good rock style she picked. No one would say that in Hobbs and Shaw. Tessa 9:21 No difference, like that's the difference. exactly exactly. Like I like they don't ever really spend as much time on the interpersonal relationships like DOM and Letty, his relationship is probably had the most actual screen time like not even Brian me his relationship has had that much screen time in this series. But even then they don't spend as much time on that because they kind of assume that you know that these characters are going to be together. But I just that line just gets me gets me. Unknown Speaker 9:50 Right. And the other thing that's like interesting about these movies is as much as they're about like, cars and women, like every one of those movies like like this is my soulmate though like it's not like there are like women The door is not it's not a revolving door of bond girls you know like Dom's, like well obviously ladies my true love and while she was dead I you know had other relationships but they were also very serious you know, like, I I don't know I just love this frickin series. Sam 10:23 So you you mentioned last time North Korea and I said to Tessa, I get this now I get why you said that. I also stand by the idea that I like the idea of knowing that Mission Impossible is going to go full space for sure. But I definitely think I definitely think we're gonna see Vin Diesel in zero G at some point you know whether it's a common situation or it's a in orbit I don't know what to tell you Unknown Speaker 10:55 that to me there's like the the temptation of putting Tyrese in space like how do you not greenlight that that sounds insane Sam 11:01 to me like for real putting Tyrese Gibson in space or, Unknown Speaker 11:06 or real. Sam 11:10 So what what other fun, either predictions or wish list or both, I suppose what else you got on the list? Unknown Speaker 11:21 Right. So I mean, I think I talked about this last time, but I think I how I would like them to do it. And I am available for phone calls. I want I think nine should be ridiculous. And 10 should be ridiculous going to space. And then I think 11 you bring it all the way back. Like they're in LA, it's small, there's something super low stakes, and they're just like, one more run type thing. But it's something that's like a little less dramatic. I think after 10 you kind of I want there to be some sort of cresting of a hill and then I want it to be just like, like 10 or 11 it's just like pure familia, you know, like some car pranks but like I think that one should just be like throwback for the fans, like much smaller, even a smaller budget, which is you know, sacrilege to say, but I think that would be a lot more entertaining. So that's that's kind of what I want. I I assume they'll keep bringing in, you know, whatever, jacked guy, they could find Dave put Easton tan, or whatever. And who's to say I mean, I'm just excited to have Han back. I think gang is so so charismatic and I would watch a whole movie about him, probably. But if he just walks in snacking on something I'll be, I'll be pleased. Wouldn't Tessa 12:47 that be great? If Justin Lin taking back over the franchise was like, okay, and actually 10 is about Han. Like, Sam 12:53 I just want to point out, Justin Lin took over the franchise with a movie about Han. Just I'm gonna stop you right there. Yeah, Unknown Speaker 13:00 that is true. He's going back to his roots. Unknown Speaker 13:05 I mean, that would just be great. Unknown Speaker 13:07 Yeah, they're like some team members who like haven't really spent time. Like, I mean, you were saying like, the corona thing is overblown, like, 11 should end with them, like on a rooftop drinking the corona and that should be you know, Fade to black. So that's how I feel. Tessa 13:23 Yeah, I also really want Natalie Emmanuelle to be more developed in some way. Like I want her to be yes. She's like the other girl on the team now and I because Gaga dot Scott Yeah. So I would, I would really like her to be developed more and outside of her relationship with Tish and Roman. Like, Unknown Speaker 13:41 I think that relationship is funny. Like, I enjoy that. But I would like to see more of her do more Michelle Rodriguez style stuff. Right. And I think I think they have the problem where they'll be like, well, the one thing about this woman is that she's better than the boys at x. And I'm like, yeah, there are more things to it that women are and like, women are humans, too. I know almost none of these people act like humans. This series but I think and also while we're shipping I think Natalie with Ted, bring back Eva Mendez. Eva Mendez with Roman. That's how I want Sam 14:17 to go. All right. So I asked this of Tessa yesterday. I don't know. Are you a game of thrones person? I have seen all Okay, so here's the question, which so as I said, I think Fast and Furious is becoming the island of lost toys for for Game of Thrones secondary characters. Because we have we have Miss Sandy. We had Tormund Who do you want? It can't can't be a snow or a stark. I guess it's the same thing. Or Targaryen. Who do you want? Unknown Speaker 14:52 Okay, I already have an answer. I'm so excited. Sam 14:54 I really want I really want to say the same thing that Tessa said without knowing but if not, I won't be disappointed. Unknown Speaker 15:01 I doubt Thomas Brodie Sangster plays jojen something and I think he could be like really fun like young recruit like they do kind of like Oliver Twist thing like he's out pickpocketing and they're like, Hey kid, let's teach you how to drive. He helps Bran with like he like travels with brand for a while. You watch the Queen's gambit. Yes. They love actually Sam 15:28 love actually. You want. Yes. Unknown Speaker 15:31 I said Natalie. Yeah. Unknown Speaker 15:32 I wouldn't be mad at that either. Yeah, great face. Wow. He isn't queens Gambit. And he's 13 very old. Sam 15:42 Dudley. Isn't that? Unknown Speaker 15:45 Harry melon. He's in like all Netflix stuff. Now. He was in Buster Scruggs. He was in that Charlie's movie, the old guard. He's around. Sam 15:54 We've got to watch the queen. We've got to watch that show. We were just talking about. Unknown Speaker 15:58 You really do that? everyone watches. Yeah. You're the only people who haven't watched. Sam 16:04 Who did I say I wanted to remember now. Did I even answer the question? Jon Snow's wife. Oh, is that Unknown Speaker 16:13 that would be a good one. Rose Leslie. Sam 16:15 I think the answer is we're gonna get I mean, yeah, Unknown Speaker 16:18 I do think you said the good fight. He said the good fight and I was like Christine brasky. I love Christine Baranski is Mrs. Nobody. Ah, Tessa 16:30 that'd be great. I would watch that movie. I would totally watch that. Yeah. But yeah, no, Rose. Rose Leslie would be pretty great. I think I could see that. Unknown Speaker 16:39 Yeah. A lot of great actors. And Tessa 16:41 we got Game of Thrones. But we also talked about Guardians of the Galaxy because we have Vin Diesel who plays Groot we Sam 16:46 have Tesla does not know who the new cast member is. The Guardian alum. Like I found out looking at IMDb, but she doesn't know. Tessa 16:55 We have Sam 16:56 not gonna say anything, wield it, telling her that there would be one. Unknown Speaker 17:00 Well, it's fine. It's not saying anything. Sam 17:03 He's a great ad, though. Tessa 17:04 Anyway, we got a lot of Guardians people here too. So I think that could be interesting. I do think that someone like I think that there's a really good chance that some some how in the next three movies, we will get Dave Battista. Jason momoa. Or both. I feel like those are two like you said big guys that seem like they would want them in this franchise. Yep. Unknown Speaker 17:25 I mean, that's that's the way it goes. Sam 17:27 I mean, that just goes to the whole thing. Like, this franchise has been going for eight movies, plus, Hobbs and Shaw. But even that's not gonna even that has not rained on if Hobbs and Shaw and a literal pandemic cannot change how people feel about this franchise. I mean, you know, you're doing something right. Unknown Speaker 17:51 Yeah. I mean, I love these movies. I know. It's ridiculous and silly, and they're insane. But, and I have, you know, I immediately you know, as much as I was like, it's not for me, I kind of am hopeful that if they had Hobbs and Shaw, I'm like, maybe you guys are like getting that energy out over here. And the trailer for nine makes me positive. It just seems like they're focusing more on our roots as fast fans. Sam 18:18 Okay. Really quick before we go into the final rankings, just just a brief foray back into furious stats to combine to budget for all nine movies. Hobson shopping number nine $1.2 billion, total gross, $5.89 billion. That's making some money. They can't be mad at them. I mean, they can but they shouldn't be. Unknown Speaker 18:49 Alright, let's Sam 18:51 Oh, good. I want to say one other thing too. And I'll stand by this. If you if you look at the rotten tomatoes scores for all the movies, you have to get to Fast Five before something is fresh. And it doesn't just become fresh because it's at 70% markets, the certified fresh Hobson Shaw has the same fresh rating as fate of the furious they both have 67%. Whereas the first four movies have 5336 36. And I'm not I'm not looking at a live stat here, but Fast and Furious. The fourth movie also is rotten. How in the like. That's the problem with metrics, right? They only tell you about things at a point in time, if we went back and re evaluated. There's no way that Hobbs and Shaw is better than the first four movies. No, Unknown Speaker 19:41 if you look up any list, it's gonna not say that but it's also we appreciate those with time and we see how these, you know, plots that they've planted have grown in the fruit that they've born. So I just, you know, mean, Rotten Tomatoes is Sam 19:57 is rot, who cares, or you're giving it a rotten rating? All right. Megan's bell. Unknown Speaker 20:00 Yes. What certified rotten? Sam 20:02 What is the worst movie? What is the number nine movie in the franchise? Unknown Speaker 20:08 For me? It's Hobbs and Shaw. Unknown Speaker 20:10 Same Sam 20:13 correct. Unknown Speaker 20:16 Deciding on Unknown Speaker 20:16 number Unknown Speaker 20:18 eight. For me it's a Unknown Speaker 20:21 really interesting. Unknown Speaker 20:23 Yeah. Tessa 20:25 I, for me has to be to I don't really like to that much I understand Sam's whole argument about where how to is actually where the DNA of this franchise comes from what that actually, it's more like, the rest of the franchise is more like two than it is like one, I get that. But to me, I still just didn't really enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the other ones. They were still working some stuff out. Sam 20:49 Megan, I agree with you. And I didn't know that I was gonna do that until this very moment. I'm not sure but but I remember so something I said yesterday that really stuck with me is that the characters are wrong in eight. Like the there's just Yeah, the the incorrect things there that that movie is not true to those characters. So actually, I also think that's correct. Tessa is wrong. Number seven. Number seven, too. Tessa 21:22 So I'm gonna invert basically and say eight. Sam 21:25 And I'm gonna put the first one there. So we have disagreement. Well, Tessa already knows that I think a second one is objectively better than the first one. Because as Tessa just said, to is where the DNA of the series comes from it. It is where the vision I think Justin Lin looks back at two and sees it as the narrative thread that we pull through the bond Enos of it all, you know, the, the kind of the plot threads, you can already see street racing becoming not as important. It feels weird to say that. But Unknown Speaker 22:01 yeah, no, I get it. One is one is kind of a piece of its own in a way. But I still love it. So it's higher on my list. But we already hashed this out in our fast discussion. So I won't, we don't need to reevaluate too much. Sam 22:15 So what is number six then? Unknown Speaker 22:17 So this is when I'm like, Okay, now, I'm just like, all the rest of these. I'm just happy to be here, you know? So I think for me, it's six. Tessa 22:25 Is it bad that I'm still like having to like the last, the last three movies have definitely kind of started to run together for me. Like, I still remember them. And I still have distinct opinions about them. But I have to be like, wait, which one is the one with Jason's data? Which one's the one with you know, like, I gotta like, sort them all right. Now I'm constantly Unknown Speaker 22:41 like, and they parachute the cars out of Okay, gotcha. Tessa 22:47 I'm gonna go. I think I'm actually going to put one at number six. Yeah, I think that's where I'm gonna put number one. Sam 22:55 Okay. And then I'm gonna put two there. So basically, we're kind of all in almost the same ballpark. Unknown Speaker 23:02 Yeah, we're chasing around each other. What What about five? Five is one. Unknown Speaker 23:11 Pretty much. Unknown Speaker 23:11 Yes. Tessa 23:13 Like you said, like, once you get past that, they're all pretty good. I'm gonna say number five. Is Tokyo Drift for me. I just don't like Lucas black. I just don't like him. I mean, no icon. Absolutely. Absolutely correct. Like, the atmosphere of it. But as a movie, like I just cannot stand Lucas black as our POV character, like pick, you could have picked any other character out of a hat and he would have been a better POV character. Sam 23:43 Okay. I understand. All right. question for both of you. Lucas BLACK, OR Scott Eastwood. Unknown Speaker 23:51 I mean, I'm not thrilled with either but Scott Eastwood. Tessa 23:55 I'm gonna have to go with that too. It's fast. It's furious seven, where he comes back like where he goes to Tokyo and meets Lucas blacks character and we get to see the scene after the race where he talks to Lucas black right. And like, I love that they like try to pretend that Lucas black hasn't aged a day like since tokyo drift. Like they still Sam 24:15 use flip Tessa 24:16 phones, like they show us they show us to drift and they're all like, you know, I mean, he already wasn't a teenager when he was playing in Tokyo Drift. He was playing a teenager right? But then like the scene after right? He's like, aged 10 years. Like he's just like, yeah, like, middle age. That's Unknown Speaker 24:32 another thing. Unknown Speaker 24:34 I love that they did that though. Because like, only only fashion furious would be like, remember this movie that none of you guys liked and this lead actor that none of you guys liked? Well, he was in this series. And so we're bringing it back. No one was like, if Lucas black isn't in this movie, I walk, you know, but they're like that. We got to so Sam 24:55 I'm putting Tokyo Drift there to Megan I have to share this with you. I consider and this is weird because most of these are considered not good. I think Han is the greatest pop culture retcon of all time genius. Like it is. It is one into it is neck and neck with Darth Vader is Luke's father. As far as like, I'm here to tell you like, like cultural impact. Sure. faders got the nod over hon. Unknown Speaker 25:29 Right But right here no hon Christmas sweaters, although I would wear one. Sam 25:34 I'm just saying like, I think that that's like, I think generally generationally speaking that's like, right up there. I think that um, alright, so number four, Unknown Speaker 25:43 for a decision to be so popular. Like it's so ridiculous that it but it was so popular. Everyone's like, we're not gonna question this Honza live Sam 25:52 but you know that, you know, we talked about it's actually funny to talk about it in terms of Star Wars because it's one of those things where the Star Wars franchise as Tessa loves to say, just because you love a pop culture franchise doesn't mean it will love you back. The Fast and Furious franchise loves us back. Unknown Speaker 26:12 Yeah, actually want us to be happy. There's no one to come out before I say. They're like, there are people in a boardroom being like, people like the rock. And then diesel's going people do but Fast and Furious fans like Han. And then I'm like, Yes, exactly. Then you understand. Sam 26:37 The only person in Hollywood who actually cares about us the fans? Unknown Speaker 26:41 Is Vin Diesel. The only one I can try Sam 26:44 make it so I have heard something. Just now. What I heard was given diesel a Star Wars franchise. Unknown Speaker 26:54 I'd watch it. I'm sure it would be on. I'd watch it. Sam 27:00 Oh, I love the number of times I yelled now this is pod racing at the screen during this series. I'm sorry, number four. Unknown Speaker 27:09 For me, Tokyo draft. Tessa 27:11 I'm gonna go fast and furious six, Sam 27:14 same seas. Number three. Unknown Speaker 27:16 Okay, so I think our top threes are all the same and not like exactly the same, but I think we all have the same top three. And that is for you. You want me to just run through. So give us the top 3321 All right. 4759 slightly Unknown Speaker 27:30 different. I mean, it's the same movies. Sam 27:32 That's why it's wrong. Yes. How is she wrong? Tessa 27:38 Five Seven for me I okay, that's fine seven really enjoyed Unknown Speaker 27:43 it. And that's you know what you're thinking with your heart and that's never wrong when Tessa 27:47 you said like at this point, it's really just like a personal judgment call because five is obviously really good. I know people don't like four. I didn't and I don't know why I really enjoyed it. Maybe I'm just not plugged into the Fast and Furious fan base. But for me, it was actually pretty good. Unknown Speaker 28:02 I really liked for two I think the reasons I really like fours because it's setting us up for five but I'll take it and Sam Unknown Speaker 28:09 your top three. Sam 28:10 Oh, it's it's what Megan said, Unknown Speaker 28:11 Okay, Unknown Speaker 28:12 I see. I see. So very similar. Very similar. Yeah, okay, well, that was a good break that list consensus. Tessa 28:19 Alright guys until Fast and Furious nine is released. It's time to scatter we have had so much fun watching through these movies and sharing our thoughts and experiences with you our dear listeners. Sam, should we do this again next year? Sam 28:35 You mean all of them again are just nine Tessa 28:38 I was just thinking maybe like another limited series like I don't know watching through all the x men movies or I don't know what do you guys think? Should what what franchises Should we do another limited series on tweet at us? Email us? We want to know what you thought of this series as a whole or if you have a different ranking of these movies than we do. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at monkey backlog and email us at monkey off my backlog@gmail.com Where can we find you Megan Unknown Speaker 29:06 excellent I can be found online at spell Megan SP Ll m eg A n at on Twitter on letterbox wherever and I'm always happy to talk movies and argue about Fast and Furious. So please hit me up. Tessa 29:20 You can find Sam on twitter at Sam underscore Morris nine and on letterboxed at Archie Leach nine and you could find me on Twitter and letterboxed at suela Tessa, also check out our regular weekly episodes of Monkey off my backlog as well as our newest series monkey nights. Please rate review and subscribe on iTunes. Follow us on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon podcasts, Google podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts. The only thing that matters is the people in this room right here right now. salute me familia Transcribed by https://otter.ai