... and what we can learn from them for Feng Shui.
The idea of this thread is giving a description of memorable
vehicle based action scenes, that contained elements we
(refering to us as Feng Shui gamemasters) can apply to our
adventures or learn from.
But be careful, if you haven't seen the movie yet, there
may be SPOILERS ahead!
The Bourne Supremacy
The Scene: Jason Bourne is being chased through the streets of Moskau,
driving a rather underpowered sowjet era car while being attacked by a
named villain in a big cross country vehicle. It is a furious increase of
the chase in first film (The Bourne Identity), with not only the main
character's life but also his redeemption being at stake.
What we can learn from it: Maybe you want to give your players the
hottest highpower car available for a chase. Think again. A very inferior
vehicle adds alot of tension, especially if you describe very well how
it falls apart during the action (though you can and should do that in
all chase scenes)
What's even more interesting here, is the double stake for the hero.
A hero's life is threatened all day, your playercharacters should
be used to that. But what if there's more to the whole thing ?
Indiana Jones, Raiders of the lost Ark
The Scene: Indy has to retrieve the lost ark from a truck full of nazi
soldiers on it's way through the desert. He jumps on the truck from the
back of a horse and has to get rid of the other inmates as well as the
cars that escort the truck.
What we can learn from it: There is a small revenge sub-plot going on
in this scene between Indy and a nazi officier who tries to throw him
off the truck. Such "personal scenes" can enhance an action scene
alot.
The truck also works as an action-stage itself within the scene.
It is the mother of all car-jacking scenes and full of ideas.
Indiana Jones and the last Crucade
The Scene 1: I've seen several motorboat based chases, but this one
remains my fave. Dramatic events lead up to the scene in which Indy and
Dr. Elsa Schneider have to escape a bunch of mysterious strangers.
The whole chase culminates in a fistfight on one of the last remaining
boats while it is shredded to pieces by a big ship's propeller
(amazingly cool underscored by John Williams music).
What we can learn from it: A third danger, formerly not present, may
threaten both parties of the chase. They have to make temporal
agreement or even work together to overcome it.
The Scene 2: The Nazi's got an old english Mark IV tank for their mission.
While being slow and outdated it is still a real moving fortress to
overcome. Since his father and his friend are held captive inside the
tank, Indy has no choice but to face the WW 1 relict while riding
a horse. The scene takes also place inside and on top of the tank.
What we can learn from it:
The tank's features (the guns, the tracks) are available for both,
heroes and villains during the scene. The tank is not only a tool
of the villains, but also a complete action set in itself, a prison
and somehow an enemy of it's own.
There is deep symbolism in this scene. A "knight" (Indy on the horse)
has to fight a superior "dragon" (the tank) to save the innocent (his
father and Marcus Brody). Interestingly the composer, John Williams,
must have been fully aware of this symbolism. His track for this scene is
called:"In the belly of the steelbeast" (which may be derived from the
script). We also have a contraditiction between the old and the new
"techniques". The "good old hero on a horse" has to overcome a piece
of terrible technology. And finally we have once more an underpowered
vehicle (horse) versus an overpowered vehicle.
Symbolism can enhance your storytelling alot. It may be subtle at times,
but really adds to the overall feeling.
Project Peacemaker
The scene: This movie didn't earn much kudos, but has some interesting
scenes, including a car chase. The hero has to flee from a number of
villains. He drives an armored Mercedes limousine, the villains a number
of BMW's (black ones of course). At first they chase him and he's really
lacking firepower to fight back (except for a single gun) but when
the cars reach an open place (a market), he decides to turn the tables
and crushes their cars with his. The scene has a very angry and
violent tone and shows very well how a car, especially an armored one
can be used as a weapon against normal cars.
What we can learn from it: Turning the tables is great. First have your
heroes in an inferior position, make them suffer and then offer them
a chance to get back on the villains. A mean, misanthropic concept, but it
makes great drama. We also rarely see, how a hero uses a vehicle as
a weapon, this scene may inspire your players alot.
Ronin
The Scene: This is probably one of the best action/thriller flicks there are.
Fast paced, clever and very well done. There are multiple car chases in
this one and for the most part they take place in the maze-like, narrow
streets of European cities.
What we can learn from it: Not only the vehicles are important, but also
where the chase takes place. The more stuff alonside the road, the more
damage can be done. The more difficult the terrain, the better. 
