Netflix - Fast & Furious: Spy Racers - Season 2

 Fast & Furious: Spy Racers - Rio - Review

     By. Justin Azevedo

Synopsis: Tony Torreto (Played by. Tyler Posey) and his team Margaret "Echo"  Pearl (Played by. Charlet Chung), Cisco Renaldo (Played by. Jorge Diaz) and Frostee Benson (Played by. Luke Youngblood), head to Rio, where a Crime Gang rises and also rescue Layla Gray (Played by. Camille Ramsey)!

     The Second is much like the first, though had a little more mystery as it hid the identity of the true villain! Also the mission that the team is on takes them international and travel to Rio. Each character had a sense of growth, or gain a new experience on their mission. We also got to see Ms. Nowhere and her assistant Gary more in action this season, 

      The way the design Rio, Brazil was nicely done, not only in the scenery of the city, landscape, but also the jungle and animal life! Another thing that they did greatly was the demonstration and fights of Capoeira Martial Arts, showing how it incorporates music in it's music and how it can be use in both forms of entertainment and in self-defense. 

     Tony Torreto (Played by. Tyler Posey) Start off at the beginning, when joining the action the way a Torreto would, jumping of a high-tech spy plane and entering his car to obtain the information needed! Though his attempts end up getting his car total, which greatly effects him, cause as a Torreto his car is an extension of himself. When Tony and his team learn that what they were after wasn't what they expected, however they were ready for what was next, only to be benched, by Ms. Nowhere! While bench Tony is force to drive a Van for the time being, which he is not too thrilled. However when Ms. Nowhere lost the prisoner, Tony and his team stepped in and recaptured him (Thanks to the Van, not only proving that they are ready for the next mission! Tony and his team then head to Rio, however they're arrival doesn't go as plan, as Tony started a chase with Rio Police when he showed his tattoo, that is affiliated with a local gang. Tony was able to elude the cops, but as he try to get his team back on the road to the city, he got their Command Center deep into the jungle and into quicksand. Tony then tried to think of a way out of the situation, but ignoring his team, especially Echo's advice and got his and the other's car in the quicksand in the process. Tony was able to reflect his action, while hanging upside down, his hand stuck to his hair, and talking to a snake, he's holding in his other hand! After getting rescued by Echo, he was able to assist his team in getting their cars back (though still had the leave the Command Center)! When they arrive in the City, Tony was ready to begin his mission, talking the the local (Though now knows not too disturb during a game!), however he was soon discovered the gang, they are after, thanks to his Flower Tattoo. Tony's cover when confronting the gang is that he is the man that they capture and his Flower Tattoo, containing a formula. Upon meeting the supposed boss, Tony was surprise to see that it was Layla, but also relief that she is ok (As another part of the mission was to see what happened to her). Upon greeting Tony had to act like they didn't know each other aa not to blow they're cover, however Layla's greet was rather aggressive and once she got what she need she order, Tony and his team eliminated, which lead to a fight, then a escape, then a chance through the city. After they were able to escape, his team hide out in place Dom had when he was in Rio! Tony Still convince that Layla is still on their side, was ready to go meet with her again, however the rest the team was still unsure. He was given the chance though when Layla was in danger, when she was transporting an explosive chemical, it is through rescuing her that Tony and Echo, learn that she was being mind control. As the return back to base, they learn more about who they are facing, thanks to Layla and learn more about the Mind Control's capabilities with Tony as the guinea pig, but they are soon captured, due the surprise of Ms. Nowhere being under the same Mind Control. Tony and Layla soon came under control of the boss of the gang and were force to take part in a race, that the boss planned to unleash the Mind Control over the fans. Though Tony and Layla did what they were told, this was all a ruse, as Frostee manage to create a vaccine to the Mind Control, so they were just playing along. They tried to stop the boss, however Layla got her vehicle out of commission and Tony's attempt failed, and the Mind-Control spread and the boss order the fans to attack Tony's team! Tony the leads, Echo, Layla and Cisco to go stop the boss, managing to slip by the Mind-Control people of Rio, while the rest stay behind and try to cure them. Tony and Layla separate from Echo and Layla as the chase after the boss who too the Spy-Plane and after getting on board, they were able to stop the boss and bring the boss into custody! Tony reunites with his team as the celebrate they're victory and Tony asking Ms. Nowhere, "where they are going next"?! 

     Like his cousin Dom, Tony also knows the great value of family, saying his team is his Family, and viewing Layla as a part of that family and they needed to be the one's to come to her aid. This also was able for him to understand what the Boss of the gang was after all along! We also learn that Tony despite being a Torreto, doesn't know how to drive every type of vehicle on wheels!

     Tony Drives a Ion Motor Thresher

Margaret "Echo" Pearl (Played by. Charlet Chung), Embraces the role in being a spy, a little more than the others. She also showed leadership and survival skills. When the team were stuck in the jungle and most of the cars in quicksand, she was the first to suggest calling Ms. Nowhere, which Tony disagree as he says he can handle it. We see her frustration's when Tony refuses to listen to her advice and try to solve everything on his own, leaving her to let him do that. When she return's she is shock to see Tony in his upside down situation, but then become furious when she sees her car in the quicksand. This leads her to demand Tony to admit his faults, before she can help him! Once Tony does, she help him out and figures out a solution into retrieving the cars, giving her the nickname "Little Ms. Nowhere", which she never wanted to hear again! Upon arriving at the city, Echo was greatly enamored  but the art of Saint Rafaela Moreno. Upon meeting the supposed boss, she like the other were greatly surprise that it was Layla. Like the other she was thought that Layla was truly working and leading the Gang they were up against, until she helped Tony save her life, when she was in danger and learned that she was under Mind Control! After she and Tony went back to the hideout, she still wasn't too sure that Layla was on their side and that she was mind control, that is until she saw Tony come under the influence and did something he would never do! When she was captured like the rest, because of a Mind Control Ms. Nowhere, she was the first figure out an escape route and got out. She then had to face her greatest foe, Ms. Nowhere herself and we got too see her skills in action, as Echo was able to outsmart Ms. Nowhere, few times and take out her goons and beet Ms. Nowhere by trapping her in quicksand then knocking her out, freeing her from the mind Control! She and Ms. Nowhere then worked together and save the other, then went to go help Tony and Layla. Even after the people of the city got mind control, she still continued to fight and help in sneaking past the people and then help Tony and Layla, reach to the Spy Plane and take down the boss and joined the others in celebration in victory!

     We learned a lot about Echo in this season, we learned of her survival skills, that she was in the Girls Scouts and also how she met Tony! How she came to his rescue from bullies, when they were kids and had been friends ever since. This season also, showed her taking charge and really establishing that she is second in command of the team! Though she was referred as a "Little Ms. Nowhere", personally I think Echo acted more like a Letty!

     Echo Drives a Hyperfin

     Cisco Renaldo  (Played by. Jorge Diaz), Role in season 2 was pretty much the same as he it was in the first season. Though we did not get to see too much of his Mechanic skills in this season however we did see him as the teams resident Muscle and also the caring guy he is. In Season 2 Cisco makes a new companion A small Monkey he named Donut. Though his first encounter wasn't pleasant when Donut stole from him, leading him and Frostee to chase after him in the jungle, they were able to track Donut down though thanks to Echo, tracking skills and also find they're way back to Tony thanks to her as well. When confronting Donut in giving back they're supplies, he was stun to see Donut listening to him, this lead Cisco to believe that he was a monkey whisperer (Unaware that Donut was just under the influence of the mind control chemical)! Cisco then brought Donut along and the two bonded, including when they try the food of the City, which also Cisco made a friend of a resident, who would assist them later on! Like the other he was surprise to see Layla leading the Gang they were facing and also surprise when she order her men to terminate them, this lead him to fight off her men, and help figure out a way to escape with the help of his strength and durability! Cisco agreed with Echo in believing that Layla was on the enemy side, and that she is a criminal do to a bad experience with her involving e handkerchief. Cisco watched with the others, as Layla (no longer under the influence of Mind Control) go back into the enemy base and was shock to see who the real boss is, and shock to see the identity of the mystery driver Layla was racing that also lead to their capture! Cisco worked along with the others to escape, thank to the help of Echo and Ms. Nowhere, and went to go meet up with Tony and Layla. After the Boss plan was a success, he still help to stop the boss, though they were some complications with Donut, but he still help in giving both Tony and Layla a chance to stop the boss. After the bosses defeat he celebrated along with the others in their victory!

      We see how Cisco is a huge animal lover, when he was willing to be the test subject for the Mind Control's capability and not Donut as he opposes animal testing! Also when he learn that Donut was actually at first under Mind Control, he apologize to the monkey and offer him his freedom (Though Donut did not want to leave as he like Cisco and the others).

       Cisco Drives a Rally Baja Crawler

     Frostee Benson (Played by. Luke Youngblood), is the resident tech genius of the team and he's skills has only advance since the first season. Cisco was the first to notice the chemical within the tattoo, but wondered what it can do? He continued to find out by making the chemical in his home, which resulted in an explosion, which his Mom's weren't too thrilled and demanded he clean up the mess, which he agreed to do, which shocked them, which lead Frostee, agreeing to also clean the restaurant and also braiding his sister hair and dolls hair (being the first to fall under the Mind Control's influence in the season). When arriving in the city of Rio, Frostee develop the skills of Capoeira, as he was glued to it's dancing style, when he saw a performance, which lead him to participate himself and add his own mix to it, and this skilled helped him when the team came under danger! Frostee still continued to learn about the chemicals ability, but still had no idea what it was, but was the first to discover it's explosive capability, but was able to figured out a solution! When Tony told his team that the chemical was Mind Control, thanks to Layla, Frostee agreed, as it explained everything, with Donut listening to Cisco and Frostee and why he listened and did what his mom's and sister wanted him to do. When the team got captured Frostee was able to by time, cause he knew how to solve the explosion problem for the boss, but in that time, he was also able to create a vaccine to the Mind Control, which helped, Tony and Layla, play along when they were taken and Frostee tech skills were able to help in dealing with the Mind Control people of the city! 

     Frostee does not drive a car, but still copilot with Cisco!

     Layla Gray (Played by. Camille Ramsey), was recruited by Ms. Nowhere, shortly after the first season and was the first to be sent to Rio, to infiltrate what was going down, however she was captured and then put under Mind Control! When she first met the Tony and his Team again, she acted like she didn't know them, and only cared about what her boss wanted which was the chemical on the tattoo! Once she got what she wanted, she then ordered her men to dispose of Tony and the team, which leads to them escaping and Layla chasing after them, but failed. Tony believe that Layla is just keeping her cover, but the rest believes she is the enemy (Only unaware that she is Mind Control). It isn't until Tony and Echo comes to her rescue, that she is release under the influence of Mind Control and tell them what the chemical is. Layla then goes back undercover for real and helps the team learn who is really in charge! Layla was soon then face with a problem, as the boss wanted to test her, through a race, against a unknown driver, which she agreed, though she won, she was found out that she was no longer under Mind Control, as she won with her skill and not just seeking to win no matter the risk! Layla was soon captured along with Tony and the team, until she and Tony were release and put under Mind Control to help the boss with the plan (Unaware that Tony and Layla took a vaccine shielding them from Mind Control). Once they no longer to play along, Layla was the first to take on the boss in the race they were taking part in, though she failed, She soon joins the others and work on stopping the boss to escape the country, she joined Tony to infiltrate the Spy Plane and they both helped take the boss down. After Layla and tony rejoin the rest, she celebrated with them in victory!

      Despite being under Mind Control Layla still showed how tough she was. Layla also show that she has a lot of Pride! That she will not stand for being Mind Control and when it comes to driving she doesn't need to use cheap trick and rely on inly her skills! Though Layla will help the team, she still shows reluctant in being part of the family!

     Layla Drive a Astana Motors Hotto

     Rafaela Moreno (Played by. Avrielle Corti), is the daughter of a Crime Boss, who controlled the city. Though her father was a crime boss, the people of Rio viewed Rafaela as a Saint, who help the people and care for everyone and was honored after her death in a car explosion! However thanks to Layla the team learned that Rafaela faked her death and was the Boss of the Gang they were facing and they learned more that Rafaela was not a Saint as they were told but a spoiled brat! Her plan was to Mind Control to populace to create a distraction, while she robbed the other Crime Families of their fortune and then leave the country. However Tony deduce that another part of her plan and her goal was to finally be reunited with her Mother, however she was stopped by Tony and his Team at the end! 

      Ms. Nowhere and Gary (Played by. Renee Elise Goldsberry and Tru Valentino),The teams supervisor and assistant (that is when the team really needs them). Ms. Nowhere role in season 2 was pretty much the same, but also takes a wider turn! At first she was rejecting the Teams decision to going to Rio, as she did not want to lose another agent, but after losing her prisoner and the kids figuring out things she did not, she let them go. However Ms. Nowhere did not join them just yet, as she had her own mission, that was trailing a Prince, that lead to a deeper plot, with a Doppelganger Prince, pretending to be capture, playing mind games and saving and impressing the prince (Though further interaction with the Prince was ruin, thanks to the kids). Upon arriving to Rio, Ms. Nowhere became a Mind Control Soldier to Rafaela, and that lead to the teams capture. However she became free, thanks to Echo and help the team escape and stop Rafaela! Gary had a much more larger role in season 2 than in season 1, though still assisting Ms. Nowhere, he works towards making sure that the Spy Racer's will be fully ready on their mission to Rio (Though they did not pay attention to him). Gary also showed how he passes the time on monitor duty, which also sucked in Tony! When things started to get dicey, with the Team's captured, his Boss Mind Control, he still remained helpful and also give some advice! He also showed his strength when it was needed, which helped both Frostee and Ms. Nowhere to save the Mind Control Public!

      Ms. Nowhere still treated the Spy Racers as, she always had, tough and cold and was ready to punish them (whether it was losing a Million Dollar Command Center or ruining her chances of romance)! Though she was express worry, when she did not want to lose them on a mission she believes they are not ready, though she has come to see Echo as a pupil under her wing, as Echo impressed he in staying on mission! Gary, expresses how much the Spy Racer's mean to him, when he states on how quiet things are without them around, we also see how much he is interested in Ms. Nowhere personal life, how he can tell when sparks fly with her and the Prince, and Gary shows how he is always there to help out!

     This season made a big Reference to the Movies, nut just that the Mission the Spy Racer's were on took them to Rio, it also brought us all back to Dom's old Hideout, the same hideout that got crash, by Hobbs (In Fast Five).

     The one thing that was different in this season, from the last, is that fate of Rio was settle by a Race, though the final battle took place in the Spy Plane. The whole master plan of the Villain, was truly determine in the Race! Which was a good plot to use, as when it comes to the Fast and the Furious franchise, the best way to determine the fate of a City or World, is with Fast Cars and a Race to the Finish Line!

     My Rating of Fast & Furious: Spy Racer - Rio is... (Awesome)