The Fast and the Furious (2001)

The action film, The Fast and the Furious (2001), was directed by Rob Cohen with a screenplay by Gary Scott Thompson, Erik Bergquist, and David Ayer. It was inspired by a Vibe magazine article titled Racer X written by Ken Li. In the movie, a group of heist specialists use modified Honda Civics to steal a truck full of electronics and evade capture on Terminal Island Freeway. As this crime spree continues, LAPD officer Brian O’Conner is tasked with going undercover alongside the FBI to track down the perpetrators. His investigation leads him to Toretto’s Market, managed by Mia Toretto, sister of infamous street racer Dominic ‘Dom’ Toretto. When Dom’s crew shows up—composed of Vince, Leon, Jesse, and Dom’s girlfriend Letty—Vince becomes suspicious of Brian and picks a fight with him. This leads to Brian being dismissed from his undercover job at Harry’s Garage and banned from the Market.

Brian brings a modified 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS to a car meet, hoping to find a lead on the heist crew. Dom soon arrives in his RX-7 and proposes a race. Despite concerns about his credibility, Brian agrees and wagers his car. The two are joined by two other drivers and begin the race. Unfortunately, Brian’s car experiences malfunction and Dom ends up winning. However, their victory is short-lived as LAPD officers show up, forcing Dom to make a quick escape. Brian comes to Dom’s rescue, unintentionally leading them into rival territory controlled by Johnny Tran and his cousin Lance. In a fit of rage, Tran and Lance destroy the Eclipse, leaving the two stranded on foot. As they make their way back to Dom’s home, he reminds Brian of their agreement for him to provide a ten-second car.