An article by Ken Li in the May 1998 issue of music and entertainment magazine Vibe inspired a modestly budgeted film that went into production in 2000.

The article was about street racing; the film, an action thriller that chronicled the exploits of a group of members of the East LA underground racing scene who dabbled in low-level crime to fund their passion for supercharged cars.

The Fast and the Furious starred Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster.

When it was released in the summer of 2001 it clearly struck a chord with audiences.

And now, the filmmakers behind Fast & Furious 7 describe this as “the best, biggest and most fulfilling Fast & Furious movie yet”.

Not really an idle boast, for no one can deny that the formula works. It’s a formula that has not been changed since the first film. And it is to the filmmakers’ credit that they have not tweaked it much.

We had to do whatever it would take to finish this movie for him

Certainly, audiences for these sort of films do not seek them out for their layered and complex storylines, richly-drawn characters or pithy dialogue but to merely have fun.

And fun is certainly had with its macho, fast-talking, streetwise characters and adrenaline-fuelled, over-the-top action sequences which must feature the extravagant destruction of myriad cars in locations as far-flung as Japan, Mexico, Brazil, the Canary Islands and the UK, with the gang visiting Abu Dhabi and Azerbaijan this time around.

Eyes may roll at the ludicrousness of the stunts and many of the storylines. Yet, its staying power is a sure sign that someone, somewhere, is doing something right.

Over the years, the key cast have been joined by some major guest stars and this year’s line also includes returning favourites Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, and Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, with Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black with Kurt Russell, Jason Statham and Djimon Hounsou coming along for the ride.

Fast & Furious 7’s action picks up around a year after the events of the last film with Diesel’s Dom and Walker’s Brian settling back in the States after making their peace with the authorities.

A quiet family life is not on the cards, however, as Deckard Shaw (Statham) begins to systematically hunt down those he blames for the murder of his younger brother. Cue much more of what has gone before; and yet amid the chaos, carnage and camaraderie, a soupçon of sadness and nostalgia will permeate throughout.

As the production was underway in November 2013, tragedy struck and franchise star Paul Walker died in a horrific car crash. It was a loss that was clearly devastating to the 40-year-old’s family and friends, and needless to say his co-stars over the series.

Says producer Neal H. Moritz, in the film’s production notes: “After the unfortunate passing of our good friend and colleague, Paul, there was a lot of talk among us that we were going to stop and not finish this movie. After some time, it dawned on us that Paul would want us to finish it.

“ Vin and I talked about it, and we agreed that we had to do whatever it would take to finish this movie for him. We had to continue not in spite of what happened, but actually because of it.”

At the time of the accident, most of the film had been shot. And thanks to new technology and unused footage of the actor from previous movies; together with the assistance Walker’s brothers Caleb and Cody who worked as stand-ins, the film was completed and Walker’s final appearance on screen became a reality.

Screenwriter and executive producer Chris Morgan describes the team’s dedication to giving fans a fulfilling way to remember and celebrate Walker:

“To lose a member of our family in the middle of production was utterly devastating. But to be able to have everyone link arms and pull together, and finish this movie in a way that is beautiful, is something we’re all so proud of. I know that Paul would really love it.”

Walker’s co-star and friend Diesel speaks on behalf of his fellow cast and crew when discussing why Fast & Furious 7 had to be the ultimate celebration of Walker’s life:

“Paul was a brother to me. The relationships among the Fast family are deep and meaningful, and our characters would do anything for each other.

“That support and sense of family that exists in the film bleeds off screen with us. With this film, the whole world gets to feel a part of our family.”