The automobile and the motion-picture camera: these are the two machines that most influenced the shape and speed of 20th century culture. Both were transporting devices. One got Americans out of their neighborhoods; the other, out of themselves. At the dawn of the 21st century, what miracle have these machines combined to bring the world? Car-chase movies.
Prime example: 2 Fast 2 Furious, sequel to the 2001 hit. It puts the viewer behind the wheel of souped-up cars like a Nissan Skyline and a Yenko Camaro, both juiced with NOS--a nitrous oxide injection system--that instantly multiplies their speed as if they're...