"It begins with a jolt. With a sudden jerk to the body, constriction is the most primal reaction to what it senses as coming disaster. The rest of the senses quickly follow suit, springing to attention and kicking into overdrive. "The floodgates of the adrenal glands are thrown open and the precious stuff, the body's version of super-concentrated lightening, pours into the circulatory system. The breathing begins to intensify, sending oxygen in ever increasing amounts into the bloodstream. Capillaries dilate, widening to allow for the Sig-Alert of now hyper-charged blood cells operating on panic alert. Eyes widen muscles tense and a godlike sensation begins to take over as surroundings melt into a frenzied, passing blur.
"I am outrunning everything. I am in control. The world is mine. The brain fights back, screaming out an S.O.S.
"This is wrong, this is danger...!
"Yet it feels so good.
"It's a meal for the starved, a panacea for the restless, a sure-fire fix for anyone with a predilection for living on the edge. Intoxicating and habit-forming, it leaves burnt-out drivers in its wake, haunted men and women trapped in a life lived in slow motion, hurting for more and clamoring for the next ride.
"Speed.
"It's easy to get. And it's as close as the nearest set of high-performance wheels.
"Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker), now a disgraced cop, a victim to the speed who is now paying the price.
"As far as his former bosses and FBI brass are concerned, the hothead undercover officer threw one of their largest investigations ever. His loyalties tested while infiltrating the fly-by-night, high-speed world of Los Angeles import street racing, O'Connor blew his own cover and let the ringleader of a big-rig high jacking operation walk off or more precisely, motor off in his own custom performance racer. O'Connor's decision allowed him to keep his honor, but lost him, his badge and any chance of redemption in the process.
"Now, it's a different city, a different time and one last chance for O'Connor.
"Seems the Feds in Miami have had one hell of a time collaring Carter Verone (Cole Hauser), a flashy businessman using his import/export business as cover for an international money laundering cartel. Customs have had Verone under intense surveillance for more than a year with nothing more to show for it than the kingpin's link to illegal street racing. Their backs against the wall and time running out, officials put out a call for O'Connor to do what he does best talk the talk and push the metal.
"But the rule-breaking loner has his own demands before taking on the job that may restore him his badge. Unhappy with the list of sorry possibilities presented as potential partners, he insists on recruiting his childhood friend and now ex-con Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), an accomplished criminal with an aptitude for barrier-shattering speed. The Feds on the case, headed by Agent Markham (James Remar), offer Pearce a deal with O'Connor, and his impressive rap sheet will disappear.
"Now, it's a last chance for both, ex-con and ex-cop, and their ticket out of disgrace is bringing down Verone. But lines become blurred once again for O'Connor with the appearance of undercover agent Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), the key to entering Verone's world that may herself be in bed with the shady entrepreneur."
