Dominic, Brian and Mia (Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster) are on the lam in Rio de Janeiro where they make enemies with a local crime lord… and are hunted by a zealous federal agent (Dwayne Johnson).

A turning point in this franchise, resulting in a very intense heist movie with the occasional street racing scene rather than the other way around. That idea apparently gave the filmmakers a shot of adrenaline because the film is chock-full of brilliant action, including an insane chase involving a huge bank vault (!).

Johnson joins this reunion of familiar faces from earlier entries… and he’s welcome.

2011-U.S. 130 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Justin Lin. Cast: Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto), Paul Walker (Brian O’Conner), Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto), Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Gal Gadot. Cameo: Eva Mendes. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Diesel. Followed by Furious 6 (2013).