The VHS Strikes Back
Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000)
Published: 5 March 2025 at 05:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Chris does love a good car movie, though whether this one hits that description is up for debate. This week's movie is Gone in Sixty Seconds from the year 2000.
Gone in Sixty Seconds was a high-octane production that aimed to modernize the 1974 cult classic while capitalizing on Hollywood’s growing appetite for stylish car heist films. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film assembled a star-studded cast led by Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Robert Duvall, with Dominic Sena directing. Unlike the original’s more guerilla-style filmmaking, the remake had the full backing of a major studio, leading to a more polished but equally adrenaline-fueled experience. Cage, ever the committed performer, insisted on doing many of his own driving stunts, and the production featured over 50 high-end vehicles, including the now-iconic Shelby GT500 “Eleanor.” The film’s vehicular action sequences were a mix of practical stunts and CGI enhancements, though efforts were made to keep the high-speed chases feeling raw and authentic.
Filming took place primarily in Los Angeles, with key sequences shot in Long Beach, including the climactic jump scene. The production team worked closely with car manufacturers and stunt coordinators to ensure the film delivered on its promise of thrilling, realistic chase scenes. However, some logistical challenges arose, including securing permits for large-scale stunts in heavily trafficked urban areas. The film’s heavy use of practical effects and real car chases set it apart from other CGI-laden action films of the era, maintaining a grounded feel. While Gone in Sixty Seconds received mixed reviews from critics, who found the plot formulaic, audiences embraced its stylish action and high-energy spectacle, propelling it to a solid box office performance and cementing its place as a staple of early 2000s action cinema.
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Trailer Guy Plot Summary
In a world where time is running out and the stakes have never been higher, one man must do the impossible. Nicolas Cage is Memphis Raines, a legendary car thief dragged back into the game for one last job. With his brother’s life on the line and a ruthless crime boss breathing down his neck, he has just 72 hours to steal 50 exotic cars—or face the ultimate price. But standing in his way is a relentless detective, a crew of misfit wheelmen, and the one car that has always eluded him: the infamous Eleanor. High-speed chases, impossible escapes, and engines roaring, Gone in Sixty Seconds proves that fast is never fast enough.
