A good car chase can really make an average movie into a great movie, sometimes they can be the only thing that can make a film memorable. In real life car chases are quite dull, one of the most famous being the OJ Simpson chase which consisted of a slow chase along a freeway for just less than two hours which is certainly not interesting viewing after the event.
There are some core interactions that cinema car chases always seem to employ such as knocking over everyday items that are in the way (mail boxes or crates of fruit and vegetables are popular). Taking the encounter up one way streets and driving systems are another popular choice for added adrenaline fuelled viewing.
Choosing the right cars for the scene is another important factor when deciding upon an on screen car chase; nobody really wants to see an old banger with a top speed of thirty miles per hour hurtling down a motorway when they could easily get a supercharged sports car in its place. With that in mind several films have used very small cars in unique situations such as the Italian job. The use of Mini Coopers really made the film due to the action taking place within a busy and packed city centre, proving just how adaptable and incredibly agile they are.
