The need for speed in film
Finding a topic for this week’s column has been especially difficult. It’s not hard to imagine why. With Thanksgiving break only a few short days away, I’ve been distracted. To make matters worse, I just bought a new racing video game: “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit,” which I’ve been playing almost non-stop.
So to help my sanity, I decided to mix some interests for this week’s column in the form of my list of the best car chase scenes in film.
"Bullitt" (1968)
“Bullitt” set the bar for chase scenes in 1968 and still remains the standard by which all other car chase scenes are measured. Steve McQueen pursues a 1968 Charger with his gorgeous 1968 Mustang GT 390 down the steepest streets of San Diego. The scene is so great, it deserves a pass on all the crazy inconsistencies it houses (be on the lookout for a green VW Beetle and a lot of missing hubcaps.)
"Gone in 60 Seconds" (1974)
Let’s get two things out of the way. First, I didn’t make a typo. This is not the 2000 re-make with Angelina Jolie and Nic Cage. Second, “Gone in 60 Seconds” is not a good movie. I don’t recommend it. But, if it’s car chases you’re after, this is the best place to start. With one chase involving a 1973 Mustang Mach 1 that lasts more than a half an hour, director/star/stunt driver H.B. Halicki produced a giant diamond in this rough of a movie.
"Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" (1974)
Not being content with just one awesome chase scene, 1974 saw fit to bring a second. And this one was a doozy. Instead of the normal “car vs. car” formula most chase scenes follow, “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry” opted for the infinitely more badass “car vs. helicopter.” I never seen a helicopter go that fast at that low an altitude, and I doubt I’ll ever see it again.
"The Blues Brothers" (1980)
When a movie has owned the record for most cars ever destroyed in a film, it’s fair to assume there might be a good chase scene within. Stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd take their modified police cruiser -- affectionately referred to as The Bluesmobile -- through a crowded mall while a group of real police cars chase them down. Although the driving itself is great, the humor is the real star of this scene.
"Ronin" (1998)
Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and a bunch of European sedans: what could go wrong? Nothing, it turns out. The quality of driving in “Ronin” is top-notch, thanks to the F1 race drivers employed to command the cars through the narrow streets of Nice and Paris. It also has the added bonus of shootouts before, after and sometimes during its chases.
"The Matrix Reloaded" (2003)
Though not specifically a car chase scene in the classic sense, “The Matrix Reloaded” freeway chase is among the coolest scenes in all of film history. Martial arts battles on top of semi trucks, motorcycles and a huge explosion to cap it all off. The only thing this scene is missing is a decent movie to back it up.
"The Dark Knight" (2008)
As if “The Dark Knight” hasn’t received enough praise for all its various accomplishments already, it also has a pretty thrilling chase through the streets of Gotham City. This chase finally answers the question of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object: the unstoppable force transforms into a motorcycle.
I’m sure I missed a bunch of greats. Be sure to share your favorites in the comments.
