Critics generally found the script predictable and the acting (outside of Kang) to be flat, leading to a "Rotten" 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes . However, legendary critic Roger Ebert praised it for being more observant and fresh than expected. Quick Pros & Cons
Exceptional car choreography; iconic soundtrack; introduction of Han; great use of Tokyo locations. Critics generally found the script predictable and the
Watch the intense training montage where Han teaches Sean the fundamentals of drifting: Watch the intense training montage where Han teaches
The story follows Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), a rebellious American teenager sent to live with his father in Tokyo to avoid jail time. His struggle to fit into a foreign culture mirrors his struggle to master "drifting"—a style of racing that requires finesse rather than just raw speed. Critics often cite his performance as the emotional
The film introduced Han Lue (Sung Kang), whose "cool mentor" persona quickly made him a franchise mainstay. Critics often cite his performance as the emotional core of an otherwise thin plot.
Weak dialogue; thin plot; lack of connection to the original characters until the very end.