When I watched the movie I went in there wanting to watch a stupid over-blown action movie.
It just was not well put-together as far character development. Like for example The Rock shows up at the beginning and you don't see him for a long time before he reappears. It was a mess.
But the most annoying part that it was disguised as a F & F movie when really it was a Vin Diesel vehicule, almost like he was the producer and director and makeup artist of the movie. He did the best stunts, had all the character moments, it felt like the rest of cast were stand ins, even Paul Walker. The other movies of the series, it had a greater balance between all the characters where they had all their arks. Hell I will even admit Diesel is my favorite of these characters but this time, it felt so forced like it was Diesel looking at himself in the mirror saying to himself me me me for 2 hours. And he was exposed cause he's not a good actor so the fact that he had to carry the movie, all the times he had to emote was so stiff and lifeless and mediocre. Paul Walker was a real driver in real life, the best driver of the cast and he was reduced to bad fighting moments and all the best driving stunts were done by Diesel. I think it's a disgrace.
*rant over*
I kind of liked it for the same reasons you didn't. I acknowledge Vin Diesel isn't the best actor but I still like his character the most. I concede you're absolutely right about The Rock though, that was totally a missed opportunity IMO. Both are probably my faves in the series.
I still always joke around with buddies over that scene in the first movie:
Chinese guy: "Somebody knocked on me Torreto, and you know what... it was you"
*punches the guy in the face*
Dom: "I nevvvva knocked on nobody! I never knocked on nobody!!!!"