Tag: vin diesel

“I don’t have friends. I got family.”

From: Furious 7 AKA Fast and Furious 7

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dominic Torretto

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote essentially comes from the entire Fast and Furious franchise. While the films started as a homage to street racing culture, later films evolved into a ludicrous action franchise with over-the-top fighting and highly improbably action sequences. Strangely enough, it’s when the films transitioned to what it is now is when it became the multimillion dollar franchise it is today.

The specific quote in question comes from the 7th film. After a manhunt, Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel) and his crew confronts Deckard Shaw (played by Jason Statham). A standoff ensues when Shaw pulls a pin from a grenade. Shaw insinuates that one of their friends might actually be working for him. This is when Dom delivers the quote.

As a laugh, here is a montage of all of the times when the idea of family was brought up during the first film all the way up to the 7th Fast and Furious movie.

Geek wisdom: Family is more than just being bonded by blood. Family will be there for you when you need them the most.

“I am Groot.”

From: Guardians of the Galaxy

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Groot

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from, well, Groot from the Marvel film and surprise hit, Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes, it was a surprise that a movie that featured a bunch of Marvel characters that only hardcore comic book collectors know about managed to smash all sorts of box office records!

Anyway, the quote is actually the only thing that Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) can say as explained by Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper).

Actually, the explanation why Groot says just these three words, it turns out it just sounds like he is just saying I Am Groot. Underneath those three little words are a series of inflections and very subtle tonal changes that acts like his vocabulary.

There’s actually an entire language he speaks but you have to be incredibly astute to understand all of those almost negligible changes in pitches and speed to understand him.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, it’s not what you say but how you say it. In fact, sometimes, the way you say something may change the meaning of the words themselves. Additionally, you have to also remember that actions speak louder than words. While we may not be able to understand what Groot is saying practically all the time, he lets his actions do the talking for him most of the time.

“You are what you choose to be. You choose!”

From: The Iron Giant

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Hogarth Hughes

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1999 animated film, The Iron Giant. This was actually the first film directed by Brad Bird, who would go on and direct two incredibly popular Pixar films, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. The Iron Giant follows a kid named Hogarth Hughes who befriends a giant sentient robot from outer space. Although the film wasn’t a success during its initial release, it has become a cult classic and a personal favorite for a lot of people.

The quote is actually mentioned several times. However, the quote is the most poignant during the final moments of the film. Believing that Hogarth has been killed by the army, The Iron Giant goes ballistic and starts laying waste to the surrounding area. In a last ditch attempt to destroy the giant robot, the army fires a missile at it. However, the missile strike will also destroy the town. Hogarth recovers and rushes to his giant friend and explains to him that he doesn’t have to be a weapon anymore.

Fun Fact: The titular character was voiced by Vin Diesel!

Geek wisdom: We decide who we want to be in the end. You may have a troubled past or not given the chances other people got. However, you can’t keep on blaming past events for your actions. You have to take ownership of your life and be the person you want to be because we ultimately choose who we are in the end.