If you had told me 12 years ago that a film about illegal street racing, starring Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, would evolve into Universal's biggest film franchise of all time, I would think you were nuts. Despite mixed reviews from critics (the film currently stands at 53% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made $207 million at the box office and received five sequels (with another currently in production). Vin Diesel has stated that another trilogy is in the works (which will comprise of Fast 7, 8, and 9) and Dwayne Johnson has hinted at the possibility of a spin-off film featuring his character. The series is, without a doubt, nothing more than good ol' fashioned popcorn movie fun, and is generally considered a guilty pleasure from audiences. However, unlike other seemingly shallow, action-oriented and over indulgent blockbusters, the Fast and Furious films don't seem to generate negative responses and get more popular with each installment. I've compiled a list of 5 reasons why the franchise has stood the test of time, continually thrilling audiences and critics alike and drawing moviegoers to the multiplex year after year...