If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I generally write about Hyundai-related stuff. If nothing else, I try to make my posts relevant to the car industry. But, I decided to take a break from the usual and write a fun post about my favorite car chase movies.
Let's get it going...
10. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Arguably the Blues Brothers features the best indoor car chase in movie history. This 1980 John Landis-directed classic offers a little something for everyone: good comedy, great music, and the wanton destruction of a suburban shopping mall. Featuring a 1974 Dodge Monaco and one of the last performances of the late, great John Belushi, the Blues Brothers car chase scene is positively beloved in some circles. So beloved, in fact, that someone made a shot-for-shot remake of it using nothing but Legos.
9. Smokey and The Bandit (1977)
If you watched any movies during the 1970s, you know that Burt Reynolds was Kind Of A Big Deal. He was a grinnin', gum-chompin', mustachioed god among men. One of his most popular movies during the late 70s was Smokey and The Bandit. To be honest, it's difficult to pinpoint one specific scene that stands out because practically the entire movie involves car chases. But, that's part of SATB's appeal. It's mindless fun - just a guy, a girl, a car, a truck fulla' beer, and a bunch of cool stunts. Yeah, it'll never be confused with Shakespeare, but watching Reynolds' maverick ex-racecar driver run circles around Jackie Gleason's southern sheriff, Buford T. Justice, has undeniable appeal - thanks in no small part to the movie's real star, a superbad 1976 Pontiac Trans Am.
8. The Matrix Reloaded (1998)
Listen. Do you hear that? That's the sound of the entire internet groaning with disgust. Yes, I know. The Matrix Reloaded wasn't as good as the first Matrix. But honestly, if you can say that the freeway chase scene in the Matrix Reloaded wasn't straight-up uber sweetness - then you, my friend, are certifiably insane and need to be committed to a home for the awesomely challenged. Let's review: not only did that scene have a high speed motorcycle shootout, but it also had a multi-person razor fight inside a speeding car and ended with a kung fu showdown on top of an out-of-control tractor trailer! C'mon! Are you kidding me? As Kenny Bania would say, "That's gold, Jerry! Gold!"
7. Ronin (1998)
Watching Ronin is like watching a championship little league game. When your friends ask you about how your kid did, all you can really remember is the Big Play. Case in point, I've seen Ronin two or three times. In fact, I think I even own the DVD. But try as I may, I cannot for the life of me remember what it's about. Something about a bunch of ex-spies trying to recover a briefcase or something? I dunno. Anywho, the only reason I remember the movie at all is because of the chase scene at the end. Truth be told, the movie has several chase scenes. But director John Franenheimer went All In on the last one. It reportedly involved over 300 stunt drivers, multiple cameras, and dozens of cars. Frankenheimer pitted a BMW vs. a Peugeot and filmed them racing through the narrow streets and tight tunnels of Paris to thrilling effect. Despite a somewhat forgettable plot, Ronin has moments of awesomeness that cannot be denied.
6. “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955)
This is arguably my most sentimental pick. While it is not on par with the break-neck visual gymnastics of my other choices, it is perhaps the car chase scene with the greatest emotional impact. Director Nicholas Ray’s hallmark film about alienated California kids rebeling against...well, nothing, is a measured study of teen angst. The movie's pivotral chase scene involves a game of chicken between James Dean's character and the boyfriend of Natalie Wood's character. Needless to say, it ends badly. A car bursts into flames and crashes over a cliff. It's a scene that has been parodied, homaged, and referenced in countless movies, tv shows, and pop culture events.This is the movie that cemented James Dean as a star - and for good reason.
5. The Transporter (2002)
Like The Matrix Reloaded, this pick will undoubtedly have its haters. Sure, I could have gone with the Bourne Supremacy or even The Rock, both of which had some righteous chases. But, I didn't. I picked The Transporter. I will readily admit that this movie is fairly forgettable. It's got a flimsy plotline, ham-fisted acting, and ludicrously choreographed (though thoroughly enjoyable) fight scenes. For sure, this flick has problems. That being said, Jason Statham is remarkably fun to watch as unflappable wheelman, Frank Martin. The movie certainly loves cars. In fact, if you were to watch the movie with the sound off, you might think it was some sort of long form advertisement for the BMW 7 Series (the protagonist's vehicle of choice). Even so, the film does have some undeniably dope chase scenes. My particular favorite is the opening one -Statham's character (a no-questions-asked former mercenary) is hired as a getaway driver for a bank heist. After the robbers pile into the car, Statham rips through the streets of an unnamed French city with cool precision - deftly evading pedestrians, fellow automobilers, and dozens of hapless policemen. If the acting and writing had been better, it could have been a great movie. Instead, it's a mediocre collection of uneven action sequences with a few truly awesome driving scenes.
Hmm. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have picked the Bourne Supremacy.
4. The French Connection (1971)
While technically not a car chase, the French Connection boasts one of the best car sequences in movie history. It's is one of those rare flicks that seamlessly blends high-octane, pulse pounding action with pure artistic vision. Audiences found director William Friedkin's story of a police detective going after a gang of heroin smugglers in New York City so *ahem* addictive, that it managed to snag five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. The chase scene in question has become almost mythical in cinematic history. A bit of interesting trivia, the French Connection was produced by Philip D’Antoni, the same guy who produced 1968's Bullitt (#2 on my list). Anyhoo, the scene in question involves Hackman's Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle as he jumps into a car to go after a killer. Here's the catch: the killer isn't in a car - he's in an elevated train. The chase shows Detective Doyle recklessly careening through busy city streets, trying to stay with his elusive prey overhead. The best part? Friedkin didn't get permits from the city to film the chase scene. He went totally guerilla-style and filmed it without telling anyone. So when you watch it - notice that intense look of almost-terror on Gene Hackman's face as he's barrelling recklessly through the city's streets. It's pretty much real.
3. Gone in Sixty Seconds (1974)No, not the wonderfully awful remake starring Nicholas Cage and a pre-Brangelina Jolie. This little gem came from the feverish mind of H.B. Halicki. Halicki was like a B-movie Orson Welles. He not only directed and produced the movie, but he was also the star and the primary stunt coordinator. He also did the lighting, the sound, and made fresh squeezed orange juice for the crew every morning. Ok, I made that last part up. But you get the idea. In the film, Halicki plays Maindrian Pace, a mild mannered insurance investigator in Long Beach, California. Unbeknownst to everyone, Pace also runs a chop shop. When Pace is commissioned by a foreign drug kingpin to hijack a group of 48 rare cars, the fun begins. Like the Nic Cage remake, Pace's unattainable unicorn is the infamous 1971 Mustang Fastback nicknamed "Eleanor". Like many chase movies, the film is not very good - BUT the final chase is stupid awesome. While the remake focused on the stealing of the cars, the original is all about the chase scene. It's a face paced, remarkably adept sequence that takes police through five different California cities for over 40 minutes. I once read that Halicki and his crew wrecked over 100 cars filming this chase scene. I can believe it. Brace yourself for some hammy acting he acting and know going in that it can drag a bit in places - but stick with it until that final chase. You won't be sorry.
2. Bullitt (1968)
Whenever anyone makes a list like this, inevitably Steve McQueen's Bullitt is at the very top of the list. The chase scene in Bullit is, to many film enthusiasts, the absolute best thing ever put to film. So passionate are some about this film's car chase that if you were to say it sucked, you may actually get hurt. In fact, I have a friend who would literally wrestle you to the ground and twist your nipples until you took it back. As such, it is almost sacreligious not to place it high on the list. What makes Bullit's car chase scene so good is the fact that Steve McQueen took car driving SERIOUSLY. So seriously that he actually dabbled in the pro-am racing circuit when he wasn't acting. Like other great car chase movies, Bullit has some issues. For example, if you watch carefully, the bad guy's hubcaps come off his car about 5 or 6 times during various jumps and landings. And if you watch even closer, you'll notice the same VW bug pass McQueen's 1968 Ford Mustang GT many, many times. Those minor nitpicks aside, Bullit is about the grittiest, most realistic car chase you're ever likely to see.
1. Duel (1971)Some people may think I went off the reservation with this pick, but if you've seen Duel - you know why I picked it. Many people will no doubt hate this choice, but those people are simply not looking at the facts. This movie started out as a TV movie. People loved it so much that they actually re-released the movie in theaters. So why did I pick a TV movie? Because the ENTIRE MOVIE IS A CHASE SCENE! In a nutshell, the story is about a regular guy being terrorized by a semi truck through the California desert. Sounds pretty stupid, right? Well, it's not. This movie is awesome and the chase scenes are straight up BUH-NA-NUHS. So what makes it better than Bullitt? First, the movie is based on a short story by science fiction god Richard Matheson (you know his stuff - trust me). Dennis Weaver is spectacular as the terrorized motorist who becomes completely unglued. On top of all that, Duel just happens to be the directorial debut of a guy named Steven Effin' Spielberg! Seriously, what more do you need? Go see Duel. Seriously. You'll thank me.
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